Former Yokohama Specie Bank

Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central


Built after the Boxer Rebellion in 1910, this is one of most impressive western-style buildings in the Former Legation Quarter. It's now home to the China Court Museum (passport required for entry).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central attractions

1. Former Legation Quarter

0.03 MILES

Following the Second Opium War in 1860, one of Britain's treaty demands was for permanent diplomatic digs in Beijing, hence the Legation Quarter, a three…

2. Former French Post Office

0.11 MILES

In Beijing's Former Legation Quarter, this grey brick building served as the French Post Office in the early 20th century. It was recently a Sichuan…

3. Beijing Police Museum

0.14 MILES

Propaganda notwithstanding, this is an engaging foray into the storied history of Beijing’s police force. Learn how China's first Security Bureau (PSB)…

4. Former British Legation

0.17 MILES

This historic entryway is all you can see of the palatial former British Legation, now home to China's Security Bureau. It was where most of the…

5. Former French Legation

0.19 MILES

The imposing red gateway here, bearing a passing resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe, belonged to the French Legation. The two Chinese lions flanking the…

6. Former Dutch Legation

0.22 MILES

A green-roofed building rises behind a wall at No 40, which was once the Dutch Legation. To the north, a faded street sign reads 'USSR Embassy Compound…

7. St Michael's Church

0.26 MILES

Within the former Legation Quarter is this wonderfully gothic church, established in 1901 to serve the neighbouring Former French Legation and meet the…

8. National Museum of China

0.34 MILES

Vast and energy-sapping, China's showpiece museum is housed in an immense 1950s Soviet-style building on the eastern side of Tian'anmen Sq, and claims to…