Since 2022, Dongcheng District has taken Wangfujing Street as its main axis, connecting the Forbidden City to the west to create an ancient capital cultural belt, and connecting Longfu Temple to the north to build an open neighborhood. It will turn the Forbidden City-Wangfujing-Longfu Temple "Golden Culture Triangle" into a top international cultural matrix.

On the map, the three well-known cultural landmarks - the Forbidden City, Wangfujing and Longfu Temple - form a triangle. Outside the Forbidden City, you can walk along Donghuamen Street and Dong'anmen Street for about 1 kilometer to reach Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. While walking about 1.5 kilometers along the north extension of Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, you can reach Longfu Temple. Since 2021, there has been a new name for this area - the "Golden Culture Triangle".

"Dongcheng District will renew the Wangfujing business district by releasing the super cultural IP effect of the Forbidden City. It will accelerate the urban renewal of the Longfu Temple area and build a new consumer landmark, creating a 'Golden Culture Triangle' with international influence." The relevant person in charge of Dongcheng District introduced.

Built in 1452 during the Ming Dynasty, Longfu Temple was once the core commercial district of the capital. 2012 saw the start of the Dongcheng District's preservation and urban renewal of the Longfu Temple area. In 2019, the first phase of the 75,000-square-meter Longfu Temple project was unveiled. It has become a new cultural and creative ecological space that incorporates an urban study, art gallery, art block, shared offices, etc. In 2019, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street was extended northward and connects to Longfu Temple, bringing the two places closer physically.

With its geographical advantage, Longfu Temple is creating the "Most Beijing" neighborhood in conjunction with Wangfujing. By the end of 2022, the second phase of Longfu Temple, including Longfu Temple East Courtyard, Longfu Temple South Courtyard, and Changhong Cinema, will be completed. The blueprint for the third phase of Longfor Temple has also been drawn. The traditional style district of quadrangle dwellings will be created by protecting the historical and cultural neighborhood hutongs and traditional style.

Block C of Longfu Plaza, which is under construction, will also work with the Forbidden City to create a new base for experiencing Forbidden City culture outside the Forbidden City. It will also link up with cultural resources around Longfu Temple, such as Wangfujing and Guardian, to turn it into a new cultural consumption landmark for young people and fashionable trendsetters.

As the "bridgehead" of the Dongcheng District's international consumer center, Wangfujing is also changing rapidly. In January 2022, the 119-year-old Dong'an Market in Wangfujing completed a major renovation and has been transformed into a buyer's department store. The mall has introduced about 600 brands, with more than half of them entering the mainland market for the first time.

On the ground floor of Wangfujing Department Store, there is an old Beijing immersive experience block - Heping Tang Bureau. Since its launch in 2019, it has become a netflix hit spot. Right now, Heping Pastry has partnered with the Forbidden City for cultural creation, introducing elements of the Forbidden City. It has also launched its own designed co-branded gift packs, which are highly popular.

Dongcheng District will continue to promote the integration and symbiotic development of culture, people, urban space and industrial economy of the Forbidden City, Wangfujing and Longfu Temple, striving to make it a new cultural card of the old city.

Translator: LIU Yu

Reviewer: WANG Jiahui