When Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, visited here for the second time, he said with emotion that Kissinger was just another person who had seen the scenery and participated in history here.

Just south of Tiananmen Square, facing the majestic Zhengyangmen Gate Tower, there is a mysterious arc-shaped city wall surrounded by five small gray brick buildings.

Thirty-eight years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai met with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger here. Twenty years ago, it was converted into the Diaoyutai Qianmen State Guesthouse; Now, as the highest-end boutique living and consumption place in Beijing,

What is its mysterious origin, occupying the most essential position in Beijing,

Known as the most respectable place in China, is speculated by the world?

If you ask Beijing where the Beijing flavor is strongest, you may get thousands of answers, but Qianmen is always the first candidate. In Beijing, if there is a Tiananmen Square psychologically, there will be a front door.

Qianmen is the memory of an era in old Beijing.

190 1 one day, an article was published in The New York Times. An American architect told the story of building the American legation with local craftsmen in a distant foreign capital in the east.

Two years later, a courtyard surrounded by five small gray brick buildings was built. Neoclassical architectural style was very popular in the west at that time, but its geographical location was unusual. Just one kilometer north of it is Tiananmen Gate, the heart of Beijing.

Looking back on the century-old changes of this small gray brick building, I have to mention Dongjiaomin Lane, the famous embassy district in Beijing today. Its history can be traced back to Dayuan period, when Dongjiaomin Lane was still Dongjiangmi Lane. At that time, the grain in Jiangnan was transported to Yuandadu through the Grand Canal, where it was unloaded. This alley is called Jiangmi Lane.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were "five hospitals and six departments". After the Ming dynasty, it became the center of economic and cultural exchanges among countries because of its convenient transportation. Therefore, Dongjiaomi Lane is gradually called Dongjiaomin Lane.

1840 after the humiliating opium war, China was forced to sign a series of unequal treaties, including allowing its envoys to stay in Beijing.

1900, Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing and proposed to send troops to guard the embassy. China people are not allowed to live on the border, and take the opportunity to carve up Dongjiaominxiang and expand their territory. It was not until the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (190 1) that the Dongjiaominxiang area officially turned into an independent "embassy community" after the signing of the "Xin Chou Treaty".

The American embassy was originally opposite the Russian embassy, but it was seriously damaged in the "boxer war". Americans began to build a new embassy on the west side of the Dutch embassy. The new embassy was funded by the US Congress, designed by architect Sidh Nealy, and completed at 1903. It is now the predecessor of Qianmen 23.

After the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), foreign embassies moved out one after another, and the China government reclaimed foreign barracks and other buildings, ending the humiliating history of Dongjiaominxiang for 50 years.

The unique embassy buildings in various countries are the only remaining marks in the embassy district of Dongjiaominxiang, such as the Japanese embassy with strong European classicism and the French post office with modern eclectic architectural style, which are vivid proofs of the history that happened here.

After the 1960s, the history of "a country within a country" ended in Renmin Lane in the eastern suburbs, where old and new buildings stood alternately, leaving many meaningful classic buildings.

The post office and savings office in Dongjiaomin Lane used to be the original site of the French post office, and the distinctive Xiaoyanglou Zijin Hotel was the former Belgian Embassy. The former Italian Embassy became the office of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and other units.

It was at this time that the original American legation was renamed "Diaoyutai Qianmen Hotel" and assumed more functions of receiving foreign guests.

Because of the quiet environment here, Premier Zhou Enlai once set up an office here. As a former American embassy, Qianmen No.23 also made a great contribution to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

197 1 year, Zhou Enlai and Kissinger held their first meeting at Qianmen Hotel, Diaoyutai, which lasted 17 hours. This meeting, which went down in history, paved the way and built a bridge for US President Nixon's visit to China the following year.

Before that, Kissinger's predecessors sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek here. Later, more politicians, revolutionaries, soldiers and passers-by came and went here. They read each other, quarreled and reached an agreement.

History is rolling forward, but the extraordinary intersection will eventually bring new vitality and vitality to the generation of classics.

After 1980s, with the establishment of some modern foreign-related hotels in Beijing, Qianmen Hotel gradually lost its effectiveness in receiving foreign guests.

Time has passed, and the appearance of these five small buildings has gradually blurred in the wind and rain. Although the valuable historical buildings in the courtyard have been protected, many functions can no longer be used due to insufficient funds and disrepair. In recent years, the disorderly buildings added have disrupted the layout of the buildings.

However, because Qianmen Hotel is limited to internal reception, not everyone can have a quick look. In addition, there are towering walls and sentries outside No.23 of Qianmen Hotel, which has a kind of atmosphere hidden in the city, and this small building has become the focus of attention.

At this time, Qianmen No.23 is like a pearl whose light is temporarily obscured by dust, and it is in urgent need of a new owner who knows pearls to make him shine again. Fortunately, in the new historical stage, it soon met a pioneering master of the new era, and after some integration of the old and the new, it appeared as BLACKPINK again.

The boss is Mr. Li, an influential Chinese-American in the fashion world. Mr. Li, who has always had a soft spot for collection and art, had moved to Beijing for many years before deciding to renovate No.23 Qianmen, and had his own unique understanding of Beijing culture.

When it comes to Mr. Li, many people are not familiar with it, but when it comes to the famous No.3 Bund in Shanghai, many people are like thunder. It was built by Mr. Li, who prefers old Beijing quadrangles, and invited the famous American architect Graves to preside over the renovation.

The Bund No.3, which was just built at that time, soon became the most popular fashion place after Xintiandi, with fashion brand stores, high-end clubs, French restaurants, bars and so on, and the success of Bund No.3 led to the transformation of adjacent old buildings, which shows that Mr. Li has led the fashion.

Li once said: "My home is in Beijing, and this city should have something that other metropolises have, or even better." He quickly put this into action. In front of Zhu Yu, riding the east wind of Bund No.3, Mr. Li, with great business acumen and artistic talent, took aim at the yards of five small gray buildings near the holy land of * * * and China, rented it with his old owner for 25 years, and made up his mind to replicate another Bund No.3 in Beijing.

Since then, an ambitious plan to turn the state-protected cultural relics into an international comprehensive fashion and cultural center has begun. Facts have proved that this plan has not only become a reality, but also has more contents.

However, Beijing is different from Shanghai after all. This yard belongs to the municipal cultural protection unit. After many times of communication, this plan was finally approved by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Heritage, but the premise is that the protection of five historical buildings is the center, and the new building area on the ground should not exceed the original temporary building scale, and it must be reversible.

In other words, after the 25-year lease expires, the new part can be demolished as needed to restore the original appearance of history.

In order to solve these problems technically, Li found a design team headed by. Adhering to the spirit of respecting classics, the "owner" of this reconstructed courtyard is still five neoclassical buildings. There are three glass curtain wall buildings with strong modern style among the five heritage buildings surrounded by a saddle shape.

After the renovation, the space at No.23 Qianmen became transparent and the business atmosphere became rich. Although it lacks the dignity and elegance of the husband's embassy, it has given new life to the old building after all. An ancient courtyard has concentrated heavy history and many modern luxury elements. In this way, history and modern art meet again in a building.

The reason why it can attract the attention of fashion circles at home and abroad is not only because of its geographical location and historical origin, but also because of its unique business model based on architecture.

Today, many people like to compare this place with No.3 Bund in Shanghai. Apart from Li's fascination with house numbers, more is that both of them are interested in reviving a "luxury" lifestyle.

But 23 Qianmen seems to express more. Compared with Shanghai's more commercial environment, Beijing has a profound cultural heritage, so Qianmen No.23 pays more attention to the integration of classics and modernity, and is more luxurious and spiritual. This is also the unique significance that Qianmen 23 is different from Bund 23.

As a symbol of the upper class in the last century, after a brand-new transformation in 2005, the famous quadrangle No.23 has gathered world-class restaurants, contemporary art centers, luxury flagship stores and celebrity clubs, and has become a real high-end elite residence.

Patek Philippe, the world's top watch brand, also chose to set up its only store in Beijing here.

The Michelin-starred restaurant at No.23 Qianmen is headed by a chef from new york, who brought authentic French food. Another legendary chef will be in charge of the new Italian cuisine. Aqua, a catering group from Hongkong, China, also opened a modern Japanese restaurant in the yard. In addition, there are Spanish snacks with new international concepts and two Chinese restaurants that embody China's first-class food standards.

The chef of Italian restaurant is a famous Italian chef and the owner of Michelin two stars. Serve high-end customers through exquisite contemporary Italian cuisine, comfortable and warm environment and meticulous and thoughtful service. The dining table is placed in a spacious and private space, and the elegant modernist style decoration and Italian cuisine complement each other.

Dining in a restaurant can not only appreciate the process of making delicious food, but also be a different kind of artistic enjoyment. The chef of the French restaurant is a Michelin-starred chef who is popular in the United States. He can provide first-class classic French food for every diners who come here.

In order to create the style of the restaurant, Gilles et Boissier, a famous Paris design company, designed its indoor environment. Gilles et Boissier strives for perfection, and through the application of special materials, it shows the gorgeous, exquisite and elegant restaurant.

Designers who have a soft spot for historic buildings are just like magic hands, while they are transforming, they largely retain their classic and solemn style.

No.23 Qianmen is definitely a low-key luxury. Ming Ying Hui, a top international club built by Wine Spring, a luxury brand company from Napa Valley, California, USA, is located at No.23 Qianmen, which is a world-famous club. Non-top industry celebrities can't participate unless the threshold is super high.

The addition of Patek Philippe also highlights the luxury of this building. Guests can enjoy shopping and appreciate the charm of art. The Tianan Time Contemporary Art Center, located in the southeast corner of the courtyard, provides a gathering place for people who are addicted to art and related activities in addition to exhibitions.

Top taste also attracts top art. The small cinemas here often show rare classic films and experimental dramas representing the highest level in China, among which the Pioneer Art and Literature Forum is very influential in the domestic cultural circle.

Boujis nightclub, a famous celebrity social center in London, is also here. BOUJIS nightclub is the life center of celebrities and is frequented by members of the British royal family such as William and Prince Harry. Now I have moved into No.23 Qianmen. There is no noise and bustle of super-large nightclubs here, only low-key luxury enjoyment.

Qianmen, which has a history of hundreds of years, is synonymous with old Beijing and the historical, cultural and artistic center of old Beijing. On its east side is a fresh fish mouth with a history of more than 500 years. There are many time-honored brands, and Quanjude Duck and Tongrentang Prescriptions have given birth to authentic Beijing culture in the long historical era.

But where is the front door now? The reformed front door is no longer the original front door. No.23 front door, which has gathered world-class art and culture, has become the new luxury endorsement of the front door. In the heart of Beijing, he continues to write new legends like an independent architectural aristocrat with precious historical charm.