Foreign Envoys Reception Before 1860

Foreign Envoys Reception Before 1860
Dongjiaomin Lane and Xijiaomin Lane were collectively called Jiangmi Lane in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368). Customs offices, vital to canal transportation of the day, were built there. Then, it was partitioned into Dongjiangmi and Xijiangmi in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Ministry of Rites, Court of State Ceremonial, and Huitong Hall were installed on Dongjiangmi Lane. The first two were both state offices. Huitong Hall served as the reception of foreign envoys. It was named Siyi Hall and also acted as a translation institution in the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911).