Wangfujing, located east of the Forbidden City, refers to the area centered around Wangfujing Street. The section from Dongdan Sanniao to Dengshikou Street is known as Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, a famous commercial pedestrian street with a history of several hundred years. It is renowned in Beijing as the “Golden Street,” attracting about 600,000 visitors daily, and more than 1.2 million on holidays. Located on the north side of East Chang’an Street in the city center, it has a long history dating back over 700 years to the Yuan Dynasty. Commercial activities first appeared on this street in the mid-Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, eight princely residences and a sweet water well for the royal family were established here, giving the street its name, Wangfujing.
In 1903, during the 29th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign, the Dong’an Market was established, marking Wangfujing’s transformation into a commercial street and making it one of Beijing’s four major commercial districts. The area now hosts several large shopping centers, including Oriental Plaza, APM, Yintai, and Beijing Department Store, as well as numerous century-old specialty shops, offering a rich display of local culture and traditions.
Travel Information about Wangfujing
Ticket and Opening Hours
- Ticket: Free entry.
- Opening Hours: Open all day.
Access to the Scenic Area
- Location: North side of East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District.
- Subway: Take Line 1 to Wangfujing Station and walk to reach the area.
Attraction Ratings
- Culture: ★★★
- Features: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Wangfujing
Oriental Plaza
Oriental Plaza is situated within one of Asia’s largest integrated commercial complexes, connecting Wangfujing Street (Golden Street) and Dongdan Street (Silver Street). It has become a preferred location for many well-known brands and is an ideal venue for Beijing’s white-collar workers and domestic and international visitors to shop, dine, entertain, and relax. The plaza houses over 300 brand stores, featuring international luxury brands, local specialties, and global cuisine, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. Additionally, it offers various dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities, enhancing its functionality beyond just shopping.
The plaza also features the Oriental Junyue Fountain, which appeared in the film “Love is Not Blind.” In the movie, the protagonist, Huang Xiaoxian, reflects on lost love at this fountain. The fountain operates daily at 9:00 PM for seven minutes, providing a romantic experience for couples.
Wangfujing Bookstore
Beijing Xinhua Bookstore Wangfujing Bookstore, established on February 10, 1949, is a large cultural enterprise that has weathered over 70 years of history. It is widely recognized as “the first bookstore of the Republic.” As a large modern bookstore, it spans nearly 10,000 square meters with two underground floors and eight above-ground floors. The store offers a vast selection of over 300,000 types of books, audio and video products, and electronic publications, along with journals, magazines, cultural products, and electronics for readers to choose from.
Just north of Wangfujing Bookstore, on the west side of the street, there is a street dedicated to snacks. This narrow street features a variety of local delicacies, each with its own unique charm.
Wangfujing Catholic Church
Originally known as the Eastern Church of Beijing’s Four Catholic Churches, Wangfujing Catholic Church was founded by missionaries Li Laisi and An Wensi in the twelfth year of the Shunzhi era (1655).
The church is built in an Italian architectural style, oriented east to west, and sits on a foundation of bluestone. The roof features three crosses, and the facade has three doors with side doors on each side. The interior is richly decorated, with a golden lectern at the center. It is supported by 18 round brick columns, each 65 centimeters in diameter, with square bases. The church walls are adorned with several oil paintings. It can accommodate over 1,000 people. A couplet on the church’s facade reads, “Blessing the people with great virtue, surpassing both foreign and domestic; the Father’s great merit surpasses the ancient and modern.” Above the couplet is the inscription “Grace to the East.”
Originally, the northern part of the church grounds housed the Huiwo Girls’ School, while the south and west sides had classrooms, and the east side had gardens, bungalows, and buildings. The large open area to the east of the church served as the playground for the Huiwo Girls’ School.
The church is particularly beautiful when illuminated at night. Many people visit the church square to skate, dance, or take wedding photos.
Visitor Guide for the Wangfujing
Accommodation
There are numerous hotels near Wangfujing, offering a range of price points. However, due to the prime location, most hotels tend to be on the pricier side. If you want to fully enjoy the shopping experience and have a close-up view of the beautiful nightscape of Chang’an Street, staying here is a very good choice.
Beijing Capital Hotel (No. 3 Qianmen East Street) is situated within the Qianmen and Wangfujing commercial district, close to famous landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Jingshan Park. It is within walking distance to the renowned Tiananmen Square, making it an exceptionally convenient location. The hotel offers various rooms, with the Forbidden City view suites being particularly popular. Guests can walk to Tiananmen Square in the morning to watch the flag-raising ceremony.
Beijing Xiangjiang Days Hotel (No. 1 Nanheyan South Lane, Nanheyan Street) is adjacent to Wangfujing, boasting an excellent location. This is an independent courtyard-style hotel, providing a tranquil retreat amidst the bustling city.
Food
Sampling food is also a highlight of visiting Wangfujing. On the north side of Dasha Hat Hutong, you’ll find Wangfujing Snack Street, and a bit further north is the famous Donghuamen Night Market. The streets offer a variety of traditional Beijing snacks such as fried liver, spicy tripe, deep-fried sausage, and candied hawthorn. You can also find regional specialties like Tianjin’s savory pancakes and Northwest-style lamb soup, as well as more adventurous options like fried scorpions and insects for those interested.
In addition, the numerous shopping malls in the area offer many dining options. Speed Pizza (APM, 6th Floor, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District) is extremely popular, often chosen by shoppers at APM for a meal, and the food quality is excellent. Nanjing Grand Hotel Buffet (1st Floor, No. 5 Wangfujing West Street, Dongcheng District) provides warm and attentive service, with freshly made sweet and sour pork ribs and very fresh salmon. 313 Lamb Hotpot (4th Floor, Donghua Gold Street Shopping Center, Dongcheng District) specializes in lamb hotpot, with a distinct aroma of lamb as you enter, and a broth rich with ingredients like jujube and tomatoes. Xiao Diao Pear Soup (3rd Floor, No. 88 Wangfujing Street, Yintai Shopping Center, Dongcheng District) features a quaint, vintage decor with wooden tables and chairs, and offers snacks while you wait for a table.
Shopping
Today, Wangfujing has become one of the top international pedestrian streets. The Golden Street is bustling with activity, featuring a mix of century-old stores, famous shops, and traditional stores that complement each other and are steeped in traditional cultural ambiance.
It is no exaggeration to say that Wangfujing is a shopper’s paradise. As Beijing’s most famous commercial street, it boasts renowned establishments such as Beijing Department Store on the west side and the famous Xindongan Market on the east. You’ll also find a variety of specialty stores, including arts and crafts shops, Xinhua Bookstore, foreign bookstores, Chinese Photo Studio, sports equipment centers, medical supply stores, and Wangfujing Shopping Center. The street also features many historic and distinctive new shops, like Shengxifu Hat Store, Tongbaihe Shoe Store, New World Silk Store, Baicao Ginseng and Deer Antler Store, and Bichun Tea Shop.
In addition to these historic stores, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street includes large modern shopping malls such as APM, Yintai, and Oriental Plaza, where consumers can explore a wide range of fashion brands and find themselves dazzled by the variety.
Entertainment
Shop in the Numerous Malls: Wangfujing is home to a wide array of shopping centers, offering a variety of products. It’s a haven for shopping enthusiasts who enjoy exploring different stores.
Browse for Small Souvenirs: Wangfujing Pedestrian Street features many shops selling traditional ethnic items. These stores offer a range of unique and diverse products, making it easy to find small gifts for friends and family.
Relax and Enjoy Beijing Yogurt: Along Wangfujing Street, there are some seating areas where you can take a break. Grab a cup of Beijing-style yogurt from a nearby vendor and enjoy a distinctive local flavor.
Admire Various Sculptures: The street is adorned with many distinctive sculptures. If you’re interested, take some time to appreciate these artistic pieces and snap a few photos for memories.