The layout of Bada Hutong is like a centipede with one trunk joining the other alleys together. The alleys are all connected with each other, so there are no dead ends. Most of the residents here are native Beijing people. They still live in the old courtyard together with different families, which is one feature of the old Beijing lifestyle. The living environment is very comfortable and simple.

Baishun Hutong is of 804 feet (245 meters) long and 19 feet (5.7 meters) wide. This alley was named Cypress (Baishu) in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). Among the eight great alleys, this one is the most famous one, for there were two distinctive constructions built on it: Taiping Guild Hall and Jintai Guild Hall. Now, the two halls are transformed to ordinary courtyard dwellings.

Bada Hutong (Eight Great Hutongs), once the synonym for the red-light district in Beijing, refers to an area in the city center to the west of Guanyin Temple and near the Dashilar Street outside the Qianmen Gate. The area features eight alleys from west to east named Baishun, Yanzhi, Hanjia, Shaanxi, Stone (Shitou), Zongshu Xiejie, Zhujia, and Xiaoli.During the middle and late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD), the eight alleys used to be the red-light district near theForbidden City, attracting many officials. In that time, there were nearly hundreds of brothels, with many classy ones, distributed in the eight alleys. Nowadays, visitors can imagine the old days of Beijing through the well-preserved ancient brothel constructions, while wandering in the present residences and boutiques or staying in the traditional courtyard inns to meet the local people.

Daqing Bank
Daqing Bank of the Qing Dynasty, the earliest central bank in China, was founded in 1905. It was the oldest bank in Xijiaomin Lane, located at the intersection with Renmin Dahuitang West Road. Unfortunately, the two-story building was taken down in 1982, and now only a western arch with a grey carved iron-gate remains in the doorway. On the two sides of it are old houses with grey walls and black tiles. There is no plaque telling its story, making this site very inconspicuous.

Transportation
By subway
Take subway line 2 to Qianmen Station (Exit C), and walk north to find the east end of the lane. Get off at Hepingmen Station (Exit A2 or B2) and then walk north to the west end.

By bus
Take bus Tourist Line 1, 2, Tourist Line 2, 5, or 120, and get off at Tiananmen Square West Station. Then walk north to find the east end of Xijiaomin Lane.
Take bus 7, 14, or 70, and get off at Hepingmen Nei Station. Then walk north to find the west end.