Wangfujing, Shopping street in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Wangfujing is a thoroughfare extending from Oriental Plaza to St Joseph's Catholic Church, housing roughly 280 retail establishments and numerous department stores along its path. Shopping galleries line both sides, filled with shops selling clothing, electronics, and other goods.
During the 17th century, this was a commercial area under the Ming Dynasty before the Qing period brought ten aristocratic estates and a freshwater well that gave the street its name. This shift from noble estates to public commerce reflects how the site transformed across centuries.
The snack street nearby introduces visitors to regional Chinese specialties, from traditional pastries to grilled scorpions and seafood. This area serves as a gathering place where locals and travelers encounter regional tastes together.
The Wangfujing metro station on Lines 1 and 8 connects directly to the southern entrance near Oriental Plaza. This transit connection makes the location easy to reach and explore on foot.
In 1999, the street underwent major transformation into a pedestrian-only zone with vehicle traffic rerouted to eastern roads. This change created a car-free environment that shapes the experience of walking through today.
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