Wangfujing
Encyclopedia
Wángfǔjǐng located in Dongcheng District, Beijing
, is one of the Chinese capital's most famous shopping streets. Much of the road is off-limits to cars and other motor vehicles, and it is not rare to see the entire street full of people. Since the middle of the Ming Dynasty
there have been commercial activities in this place. In the Qing Dynasty
, ten aristocratic estates and princess residence were built here, soon after when a well full of sweet water was discovered, thereby giving the street its name "Wang Fu" (princely residence), "Jing" (well). In 1903, Dong'an market was formed.
are located. It then heads north, passing the Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore, the Beijing Department Store
as well as the Beijing Foreign Languages Bookstore before ending at the Xin Dong An Plaza.
. Wangfujing is also one of the traditional downtown areas of Beijing, along with Liulichang
.
Until the late 1990s, the street was open to traffic. Modifications in 1999 and 2000 made much of Wangfujing Street pedestrian only (aside from the tour trolley
). Now through traffic detours to the east of the street.
(Madame Sun Yat-sen) are also located on the street.
. More common fare such as Chuanr
(meat kebabs, commonly made of lamb) and desserts, such as Tang hu lu
or candied fruits on a stick, are among the most popular.
Further north and perpendicular to Wangfujing is Donghuamen Street, which has a night food market of its own
.
network, Line 1 has a station at the southern end of the street, which is a stop away eastbound from Tiananmen Square
(Tiananmen West or East Stations).
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Dongcheng District is an urban district in Beijing covering the eastern half of Beijing's urban core. It is 24.7 square kilometres in area and has a population of 535,558 . Dongcheng District covers several important parts of Beijing...
, is one of the Chinese capital's most famous shopping streets. Much of the road is off-limits to cars and other motor vehicles, and it is not rare to see the entire street full of people. Since the middle of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
there have been commercial activities in this place. In the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, ten aristocratic estates and princess residence were built here, soon after when a well full of sweet water was discovered, thereby giving the street its name "Wang Fu" (princely residence), "Jing" (well). In 1903, Dong'an market was formed.
Location
It starts from Wangfujing Nankou, where the Oriental Plaza and the Beijing HotelBeijing Hotel
The Beijing Hotel is a five-star state-owned hotel in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, China.-Overview:It is located at the southern end of Wangfujing Street, at the corner with East Chang'an Avenue, 1.5km from Beijing Railway Station with views of the Forbidden City and part of Tiananmen Square...
are located. It then heads north, passing the Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore, the Beijing Department Store
Beijing Department Store
The Beijing Department Store is a major attraction on Wangfujing street in the Chinese capital city of Beijing. It offers a wide range of merchandise very similar to an American department store...
as well as the Beijing Foreign Languages Bookstore before ending at the Xin Dong An Plaza.
History
The street was also previously known as Morrison Street in English, after the Australian journalist George Ernest MorrisonGeorge Ernest Morrison
George Ernest Morrison , also known as Chinese Morrison, was an Australian adventurer and The Times Peking correspondent.-Early life:...
. Wangfujing is also one of the traditional downtown areas of Beijing, along with Liulichang
Liulichang
The Liulichang is a famous district in down-town Beijing that is known for a series of traditional Chinese stone dwellings housing selling various craftwork, artistry, and antiques...
.
Until the late 1990s, the street was open to traffic. Modifications in 1999 and 2000 made much of Wangfujing Street pedestrian only (aside from the tour trolley
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
). Now through traffic detours to the east of the street.
Stores
Wangfujing is now home to around 280 famous Beijing brands, such as Shengxifu hat store, Tongshenghe shoe shop, and the Wuyutai tea house. A photo studio which took formal photos of the first Chinese leadership, the New China Woman and Children Department Store helped established by Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling
Soong Ching-ling , also known as Madame Sun Yat-sen, was one of the three Soong sisters—who, along with their husbands, were amongst China's most significant political figures of the early 20th century. She was the Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China...
(Madame Sun Yat-sen) are also located on the street.
Food and snacks
The Wangfujing Snack Street, located in hutongs just west of the main street, is densely packed with restaurants and street food stalls. The food stalls serves a wide variety of common and exotic street foodStreet food
Street food is ready-to-eat food or drink sold in a street or other public place, such as a market or fair, by a hawker or vendor, often from a portable stall. While some street foods are regional, many are not, having spread beyond their region of origin. Most street food are both finger and fast...
. More common fare such as Chuanr
Chuanr
Chuanr, sometimes referred to as chuan, are small pieces of meat roasted on skewers. Chuanr originated in the Xinjiang province of China and in recent years has spread throughout the rest of the country, most notably in Beijing, Tianjin, and Jilin where it is a popular street food...
(meat kebabs, commonly made of lamb) and desserts, such as Tang hu lu
Tang hu lu
Tanghulu, also called bingtanghulu, is a traditional Chinese snack, most commonly seen in Beijing, Tianjin, and other places. It consists of candied fruits on bamboo skewers that are approximately 20cm long...
or candied fruits on a stick, are among the most popular.
Further north and perpendicular to Wangfujing is Donghuamen Street, which has a night food market of its own
Donghuamen Night Market
Donghuamen Night Market is a night market located in the northern end of Wangfujing in Beijing, China. One can find a row of unusual food stalls. An array of Chinese food delicacies are on display with people bustling around to experience some new tastes. Items such as sheep's particular parts,...
.
Subway access
Wangfujing has a station on the Beijing subwayBeijing Subway
The Beijing Subway is a rapid transit rail network that serves the urban and suburban districts of Beijing municipality. It is owned by the city of Beijing and has two operators, the wholly state owned Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corp., which operates 12 lines, and the Beijing MTR...
network, Line 1 has a station at the southern end of the street, which is a stop away eastbound from Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen Gate located to its North, separating it from the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the third largest city square in the world...
(Tiananmen West or East Stations).
See also
- Beijing central business district
- List of leading shopping streets and districts by city
- Donghuamen Night MarketDonghuamen Night MarketDonghuamen Night Market is a night market located in the northern end of Wangfujing in Beijing, China. One can find a row of unusual food stalls. An array of Chinese food delicacies are on display with people bustling around to experience some new tastes. Items such as sheep's particular parts,...