A street sign indicates the entrance to Qianliang Hutong at the east entrance of the street on Dongsi Beidajie. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Beijing's Qianliang Hutong first gained recognition during the Ming Dynasty, when a mint was built on the street. Now, the street is departing from its more recent residential peace with a few breakout stores and restaurants.

During the Qing Dynasty, the hutong continued building upon its Ming roots, gaining its modern name "Qianliang," meaning "money and grain," and also housing one of the factories for the national mint.

Qianliang's history isn't all fun and gold. The street is also notable as the place where the warlord Yuan Shikai, imprisoned Zhang Taiyan, an early revolutionary.

In the following years, the 536-meter-long Qianliang Hutong became a peaceful residential street tucked behind the bustling Wangfujing area.

Now, businesses are slowly springing up in the old hutong, making it a likely prospect for a future hutong shopping street.

Xinjiang-style restaurants featuring roast lamb are currently the main restaurant options on the street, but the real culinary treat is just outside the western entrance of Qianliang Hutong: Jun Qin Hua.

Jun Qin Hua, a Guizhou-style restaurant situated just outside the western entrance of Qianliang Hutong, serves up impressively delicious spicy dishes. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Jun Qin Hua is a tiny restaurant featuring authentic Guizhou dishes. There are just six tables on the first floor, and a few on the second are only used during busy times. While the place does not look impressive, spicy food lovers will not leave disappointed.