Modern and Traditional Stores on Wangfujing Street Offer Something for Everyone - Beijing, China
What is It – In the United States, it is not unusual to see a business post a sign outside of its establishment saying “founded in 1972” or “serving Connecticut since 1957”. On China’s famous Wangfujing Street, however, there are shops dating back hundreds of years alongside sparkling new technology stores. The location of Wangfujing Street in the heart of the capital city has enabled merchants to endure and prosper throughout the imperial age, China’s Communist Revolution, and the consumer boom of 21st century China. On some days, an estimated 500,000 people pass along the busy street to shop there, eat, or conduct business.
The layout of the street has contributed to its success. In contrast to the narrow alleys and small shops found in older European cities or the medinas of the Middle East, Wangfujing Street is a 120 foot wide boulevard paved in red granite. About half of its one mile length is closed to traffic except for a tour trolley which makes eight stops along the paved portion. This gives people plenty of room to browse along the storefronts, sit on one of the plentiful benches, or take a walk with friends. It has been estimated that items representing close to 1000 different brands from around the world can be purchased there.
What You Will See - Wangfujing Street offers something for everyone including the following:
Department Stores and Malls- Both ends of the street are anchored by large department stores. At the south end is the Malls at Oriental Plaza. This large mall has a modern ambience and a floor area of 8.6 million square feet. It consists of shopping areas with different themes, a science museum, cinema, landscaped gardens and a large music fountain. Major product lines and brands cover everything from beauty and cosmetics to fashion wear by international designers, sportswear and athletic equipment, and children’s goods. Farther north is the Beijing Department Store which has succeeded in retaining the loyalty of its traditional middle class customers notwithstanding major renovations turning it into more of an upscale establishment with luxury goods and trendy fashions. Two other malls that attract shoppers are the Sun Dong An Plaza and the New China Woman and Children Department Store.
Traditional Shops – Despite the modernity of today’s Beijing, Wangfujing street retains many stores selling traditional commodities, cultural goods, arts and crafts, paintings, and other wares. Some examples are a 580 year old Herb store called Yong-an tang, a 120 year old tea shop called Wuyutai Tea Shop, a silk and cotton shop, a hat store, a shoe store, and a Chinese photo studio specializing in portraits. There are two large bookstores including one appropriately named the Foreign Language Bookstore that is popular with expatriots and has a reputation for having interesting selections and books about China.
Restaurant and Food Outlets – The street contains some Western restaurants, but locals flock to the adjacent Wangfujing Snack Street where there are hundreds of vendors offering roast duck, kabobs, candies, noodles and Chinese specialties from food booths and makeshift locations. Fine dining establishments are also available along the street or in the luxury hotels surrounding it.
Interesting Fact - The first western fast food restaurants opened in China was a three story high KFC with 500 seats located around the corner from Wangfujing Street. Today, KFC is the largest fast food establishment in China with twice the market share of second place McDonalds. KFC offers the usual chicken selections but also local items like a shrimp sandwich and soy sauce chicken wings.
When to Go – Summertime can be stifling in Beijing with daytime temperatures in the high 80s and some rainy days. Winters are dry with little rain or snow and daytime temperatures can drop into the 30s. Stores are generally climate controlled but the most comfortable times to promenade on the pedestrian walkway are between mid-March and early June, and from late September to November. Air pollution is sometimes a concern in the capital.
How to Get Here – Once you are in the center of downtown Beijing, it is easy to find Wangfujing Street. It is a north to south street reachable from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City by walking along East Chang’an Street a few blocks to the east. There are also several metro stops along the street.
Where to Stay – Some of the leading luxury hotels in Beijing such as the Grand Hyatt, The Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, and the Waldorf Astoria are located close to the shopping district. We stayed at the Hilton Hotel Wangfujing located a block away and enjoyed the experience and the dining there.