Featured hutongs in Beijing (5)

Qianshi Hutong

Located on the west side of Zhubaoshi Street in Beijing, Qianshi Hutong is adjacent to the famous Dashilan Shopping Street. Qianshi hutong, being 0.7 meter wide and 0.4 meter at the narrowest point, is the narrowest hutong both in history and at present. At the end of the hutong lies a courtyard with awnings over the gateway and rooms on both sides. This courtyard, an official trading place for money in Qing dynasty (1644-1912), stands for the prototype of the early financial market.