If anyone tries to name iconic places in Beijing for their commercial vibe, the pedestrian street in Wangfujing will undoubtedly be among the top three.
Located in Dongcheng District, Wangfujing opened a 344-meter extended section on Friday, ready to provide more choices for visitors.
The extension is a step toward building an integrated street block with cultural, commercial and tourist elements, according to Wangfujing region's management office, noting that the upgrading of businesses in the area will soon be rolled out.
A ceremony is held to celebrate the opening of the extended Wangfujing pedestrian street in Beijing, China, December 20, 2019.
Together with the extended section, the 892-meter-long street features a mix of large department stores, such as the 64-year-old Beijing Department Store, Oriental Plaza and Beijing apm, small retail shops, markets and plenty of places to fill your stomach. There are also many time-honored stores that have stood in the street for hundreds of years. The fine combination of tradition and modernity keeps drawing local residents and tourists.
If you're a shopaholic, then you can lose a whole day in Wangfujing. If you're not, there are plenty of alternatives to keep you occupied. Check out some of the highlights.
Wangfujing Snack Street
Packed with food vendors, souvenir stands and candy shops, Wangfujing Snack Street is especially bustling when the night falls. Standing on a narrow alley off the main walking street, it's a total eye-opener for many foreign visitors.
Before they have a chance to look at the food properly, in most cases, they are attracted by the mouth-watering smell. From the skewered scorpions, various kebabs to dumplings and Chinese-style desserts, and many more, one night is not enough to try them all.
St. Joseph's Church
At the northern side of the street lies St. Joseph's Church, commonly known as Wangfujing Church, a Catholic church that was built several centuries ago.
The courtyard makes a pleasant place to relax after the hustle of walking up the mall. On Sunday, many new couples, dressed up in traditional Western wedding clothes, flock there to have their wedding pictures taken.
Guardian Art Center in Wangfujing in Beijing, China.
Guardian Art Center is more than just a museum. Art exhibitions, auction previews, artwork storage, conservation and valuation, event spaces and even a hotel make it a new destination for arts and culture as well as a hub of exchange for some of China's finest classical artworks.
In addition to the aforementioned spots, sightseeing bus tours are available for those who prefer a more relaxing journey. Starting from the southern entrance of the pedestrian street, the bus heads north to Dengshi Xikou and then goes west to the Imperial City Wall Relics Park. Tour guides on the bus will introduce the history and main scenic spots along the street in detail. The whole bus trip takes around 50 minutes.
Wangfujing pedestrian street offers more fun after dark with neon advertising signs shining. If you'd like to enjoy a night tour in Beijing, Wangfujing is not to be missed.
(With input from Xinhua)
(Cover: The night view of Wangfujing pedestrian street in Dongcheng District, Beijing.)