[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for St. Michael's Church (Updated Mar)

#favouriteitinerary ⛪ St. Michael's Church, Beijing – A Hidden Gothic Gem ✨ Tucked away in Beijing’s bustling Dongcheng District, St. Michael’s Church (北京圣弥额尔教堂) is a charming Gothic-style Catholic church that offers a peaceful escape from the city's fast-paced rhythm. Built in 1901, this French-influenced church has stood the test of time, serving as a serene spot for both worship and photography lovers. Why Visit? 🏰 Gothic Architecture – Beautiful stained-glass windows, pointed arches, and a peaceful courtyard make it a rare sight in Beijing. 🙏 Active Place of Worship – Masses are still held here, attracting both locals and foreigners. 📸 Hidden Gem – Less crowded than Beijing’s other churches, making it a great spot for quiet reflection or photos. Visitor Info 📍 Location: No. 13, Qianmen East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🚇 Getting There: Nearest subway – Chongwenmen Station (Line 2 & 5), Exit A ⏰ Opening Hours: Usually 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, but may vary 🕊️ Mass Schedule: Available on-site (Check for updates before visiting) A beautiful blend of European charm and Beijing history, St. Michael’s Church is a peaceful stop worth adding to your itinerary! ✨📷 #travel #beijing

📚 Dongjiaomin Lane, built during the height of the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century, stretches 1.6 km from the east side of Tiananmen Square to Chongwenmen Inner Street, making it the longest hutong in old Beijing. During the Yuan Dynasty, it served as a vital lane for transporting grain, hence its original name "Jiangmi Lane" (Glutinous Rice Lane). 📚 In modern times, it became a renowned embassy district. After the Second Opium War in 1860, countries such as Britain, France, the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, and Belgium established embassies here, renaming the lane "Legation Street." 🚶‍♀️ A suggested east-to-west city walk route for Dongjiaomin Lane: Chongwenmen Subway Station Exit E ➡️ St. Michael's Church ➡️ Former Site of the Belgian Embassy ➡️ Former Site of the French Post Office ➡️ China Court Museum ➡️ Beijing Police Museum 🌟 St. Michael's Church: Built in 1901, this compact and exquisite French Gothic-style church is one of the four major churches in Beijing. The angel statue above the main entrance is particularly artistic. 🌟 Former Site of the Belgian Embassy: The largest and best-preserved European-style building complex in Dongjiaomin Lane, boasting a century of history. Characterized by red brick and white walls, the main building features a unique brick-laid stepped gable, reminiscent of the British Tudor style. 🌟 Former Site of the French Post Office: A retro, low-rise building with six prominent arched windows, built in 1910 (the second year of the Xuantong Emperor's reign). This French Renaissance-style building witnessed the history and changes of Dongjiaomin Lane and continues to stand as a silent testament to the past. 🌟 China Court Museum: A striking red and white Western classical-style building with a distinctive semi-circular red dome. This unique building blends elements of German Neo-Baroque and Dutch Classicism, making it a landmark in Dongjiaomin Lane. Taking photos here feels like being abroad! 🌟 Beijing Police Museum: An imposing gray building, formerly the site of Citibank, now open to the public free of charge. The exhibition spans four floors. 📍 Address: Dongjiaomin Lane, Chongwenmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🎫 Tickets: Free, but advance booking is required for museums

Beijing citywalk, this is the most romantic Hutong in summer. Dong Jiao Min Xiang is located in the embassy area, surrounded by a cluster of concession-era buildings, where one can witness the vicissitudes of China's modern history. Dong Jiao Min Xiang is also the longest Hutong in Beijing, with a high density of sights to see. Every step offers a new view, making it very suitable for a short cycling trip. Exiting Dong Jiao Min Xiang, there are many places worth visiting as the 'next stop', such as Qianmen and the Forbidden City area. The route from east to west will pass by: Former Site of Ah Dong Photo Studio → St. Michael's Church → Former Site of Belgian Embassy → Former Site of French Embassy → China Court Museum → Beijing Police Museum Checkpoint information: Former Site of Ah Dong Photo Studio: An inconspicuous gray building, where the German photographer Hedda once worked, and the appearance of Beijing at that time was recorded through her lens. St. Michael's Church: A typical Gothic building, very small and exquisite, one of the four major churches in Beijing. Former Site of Belgian Embassy: Facing St. Michael's Church across the street, it is a country villa-style building, now the Zijin Hotel.

There are many hutongs in Beijing, some of which are even known as 'one hutong, half of China'. The grey walls and tiles of Beijing's hutongs are the product of a long history, reflecting the face of Beijing's history. It is not only the place where ordinary people in Beijing live, but also an important stage for the historical and cultural development of the capital. Each hutong has its own story and has had a legendary experience. Therefore, traveling to Beijing, strolling around the hutongs, and savoring them carefully is a very characteristic and interesting thing.