Beijing's Qianmen area and its side alley Dashilan have operated as retail hubs for more than five centuries. Qing-era storefronts now share the block with boutique hotels and design studios. Time-honored brands like Tongrentang and Neiliansheng stay open alongside new cafes.

The area has appeared in multiple Chinese period films, often standing in for old Beijing's lost streetscapes. For travelers, these places offer historic districts that never stopped trading. (Photos via VCG)