Experience Wangfujing

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We offer a wide range of suggestions to help you plan your Wangfujing experiences.

China National Children’s Theatre
Family Fun
Founded in 1956 by the Ministry of Culture, this state-owned theatre has always been dedicated to providing a regular programme of family-friendly performances, offering a range of shows to keep kids on the edge of their seats during weekends and holidays. Although all are in Chinese, the colourful sets and lively performers create enchanting entertainment, with adaptations of many Chinese and Western classics previously produced, including Peter Pan, Snow White and works of Hans Christian Andersen.
 
Address: 64 Dong’anmen Dajie, Dongcheng district
Tel: 010-6513 4115
Wangfujing Snack Street
Family Fun
This pedestrianised lane is lined with cheap and cheerful food stalls that are always busy. There are dishes from all over China, including malatang (spicy soup from Sichuan) and zhajiangmian (noodles in fried bean sauce), savoury pancakes, oodles of noodles and novelty items such as scorpion skewers. It does a perfect job of balancing the old style of Beijing and its retailers in a modern context. The red lanterns that sparkle along its roads when night falls have becomes symbol of this strip, and welcome gourmets to a uniquely Beijing feast of the senses.
 
Address: North to Haoyou World Mall, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
Qianmen Jazz Bar
After Dark

Situated at the south of Tian’anmen Square and running along the city’s central axis, this street is crowned by the Qianmen Gate. The surrounding area has long been a bustling market district since the Ming dynasty, and remains one of the most authentic snippets of life in old Beijing. Qianmen area also boasts some of the most iconic jazz bars in the country, providing a venue for some of the finest musicians. The sleek, dimly lit underground venue retains the feeling of a ballroom-like Western jazz bar, and has already welcomed a string of international acts to its stage. They take dining and drinking here, too.

 
Address: Qianmen Dajie, Dongcheng district

 

Night at Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
After Dark
Night-time is a great way to see Beijing’s most well known business street, and you get to see the historic attractions and modern architectures under a different light. Wangfujing’s snack street offers the most exotic add unique food in the world, be it grilled scorpions or centipede, or if you prefer, you can find the most natural and simple flavours of Old Beijing. The St. Joseph’s Church, all lit up by the warm yellow light, is another scenic spot you can’t miss. Be sure to check out WF CENTRAL, one of the most shiny buildings in the neighbourhood, brings together the oppotunities to find inspiration, enjoy culture and be part of a new global perspective.
 
Address: North to Dong Chang 'an Jie, Dongcheng district
No. 46 Fangjia Hutong
Arts & Culture

Known as the ‘Mini 798’ in Dongcheng, this cultural and creative (C&C) zone deep in Fangjia Hutong is a haven for the young and romantic art lovers. Built on the site of a massive machine tool factory, 46 Fangjia Hutong now houses arty restaurants and cafés, luxury fashion stores, a hotel, as well as over 40 C&C institutes. Small bars line up along the narrow alley, making it a perfect spot for laid-back Saturday hangouts. Be sure to check out the Red Theatre’s regular events here, including contemporary dance performances, exhibitions, shadow puppet plays, and small concerts.

 
Opening hours: 10am-8pm
Address: 46 Fang jia Hutong, Dongcheng district
Tel: 010-6401 9960

 

Laoshe Memorial
Arts & Culture
Deep in Fengfu Hutong is Lao She’s former home in Beijing. Widely recognised as one of the most significant figures of Chinese literature, the Beijing native was best known for his novel Rickshaw Boy and the play Teahouse. It was here that Lao She received Premier Zhou Enlai, Qing’s last emperor Pu Yi, and writer Cao Yu. ‘Red Persimmon Courtyard’, as Lao She’s wife later named the siheyuan, was opened to the public as a museum dedicated to the writer in 1999. Now, the Lao She Memorial Hall displays his written works and calligraphy for those who are interested in old Beijing life.
 
Address: 19 Fengfu Hutong, Dengshikou Xijie, Dongcheng district
Tel: 010-6514 2612
Shijia Hutong
Mysterious Spots

Connecting Chaoyangmen and Dongsi, this 700-metre lane is perhaps one of the most history-filled hutongs in Beijing. Although surrounded mostly by modern developments, some of the city’s best-preserved siheyuan courtyards can still be found along this historic alley, formerly home to rich and influential families. It used to house the anti-Manchu general Shi Kefa (possibly where the hutong gained the ‘Shi’ part of its name), Li Lianying – the most powerful eunuch in the late Qing dynasty – as well as some important political figures after 1949. A showcase of typical hutong life, this place has become one of the most popular tourist spots in Dongcheng district. Up to this day, the former owner of the ‘Hao Yuan’ siheyuan remains a mystery. Now a hotel of traditional Chinese décor, the courtyard used to be the office of Deng Yingchao, Kang Keqing and other former leaders of the People’s Republic.

 
Address: Shijia Hutong, Dongcheng district

 

Qianmen Dashilar
Historical Heritage

Dashilar is located to the south of Tiananmen Square and west of Qianmen Street, featuring labyrinth-like of hutongs and century-old shops and boutiques. During its 600 years of history, it was known as the birthplace of the Beijing Opera and the first Chinese stock market. Since the 1950s, the traditional siheyuan and hutongs had begun to undergo serious reconstruction, making it gradually crowded and prosperous. This historic area is now one of Beijing’s newest creative hubs, and the centrepiece of Beijing Design Week, housing plenty of cool cafes, unique shops and brand new galleries.

 
Address: Dashilar Business Street, Xicheng district

 

Palace Museum
Historical Heritage
The Palace Museum served as the imperial residence for the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the extravagant 600-year-old dwelling now houses the most visited museum in the world, as well as the largest collection of ancient wooden structures, with more than 980 buildings and almost 9,000 rooms still standing. Its Outer Court, with three symmetrical grand halls sitting on the city’s central axis, was used for ceremonial purposes, while the Inner Court (separated from the Outer Court by an oblong courtyard) was where the royal family resided, and was used for day-to-day affairs of state.
 
Today, it’s open for the public to see how 24 emperors lived, and more than a million priceless relics that they left behind. There are over a million rare and valuable works of art in the permanent collection of the Palace Museum, including paintings, ceramics, seals, steles, sculptures, inscribed wares, bronze wares, enamel objects, etc. From time to time, it also brings a number of collections together from overseas to this unique location.
 
Admission: Peak season 60RMB; Off-season 40RMB
Opening hours: Peak season 8:30am-5pm; Off-season 8:30am-4:30pm; Closed on Monday
Address: 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng district
Tel.: 010-6511 6400
Tian' anmen
Historical Heritage
Tian' anmen, literally Gate of Heavenly Peace, was the front gate to the Imperial City, and is now widely used as a national symbol of China. In the 20th century, the gate was renovated several times, mainly due to earthquakes and heavy usage. Since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, a portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong has been hung on the gate, while its flanking walls hold giant placards; the left one reads ‘Long Live the People’s Republic of China’, while the right one reads ‘Long Live the Great Unity of the World’s Peoples’. Waking up before sunrise to watch the daily flag-raising ceremony has become a must-see for tourists.
 
Admission: 15RMB
Opening hours: Peak season 8:30am-5pm; off-season 8:30am-4:30pm
Address: Dong Chang' anjie, Dongcheng district
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Historical Heritage

Mysterious Spots

Arts & Culture

After Dark

Family Fun

No. 46 Fangjia Hutong

Arts & Culture

77 C&C Park

Arts & Culture

Laoshe Memorial

Arts & Culture

Asbury Church

Mysterious Spots

Old Sino-French University

Mysterious Spots

Dongjiaominxiang

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Changpuhe Park

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Dongtangzi Hutong

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Shijia Hutong

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St. Joseph’s Church

Historical Heritage

Zhengyangmen

Historical Heritage

Tian' anmen

Historical Heritage

Qianmen Dashilar

Historical Heritage

Palace Museum

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Asbury Church

Mysterious Spots

Old Sino-French University

Mysterious Spots

Dongjiaominxiang

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Changpuhe Park

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Dongtangzi Hutong

Mysterious Spots

Shijia Hutong

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Pudu Temple

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No. 46 Fangjia Hutong

Arts & Culture

77 C&C Park

Arts & Culture

Laoshe Memorial

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Guardian Art Centre

Arts & Culture

National Art Museum

Arts & Culture

Poly Art Museum

Arts & Culture

Beijing Capital Theatre

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