When it comes to famous commercial streets in Beijing, Wangfujing Street is definitely on the list. Wangfujing Street has a history of a hundred years and is renowned as the "Golden Street" in Beijing. No matter how many times you visit, the rich and diverse culture of Wangfujing Street will always attract you.

01 "Old memory"

This century-old "Golden Street" carries the rosy memories of generations of Beijing citizens. As time goes by, those familiar stores still stand by the street. The old memory of the past occurs in our mind.

Hepingguoju

At Hepingguoju on the B2 floor of the Wangfujing Department Store, retro items such as honeycomb briquette, old-fashioned trains, vintage advertisements of the last century, photo studios, and traditional bicycles are displayed in the 2400-square-meter space, evoking childhood memories of Beijing locals.

Lingjing Hutong, Meichang Hutong, and other hutong scenes vividly restore the scenes and warmth of Beijing. Every blade of grass, every brick and tile, every teapot, and every pair of sneakers reflect unique nostalgia, telling stories of the past.

China Photo Studio

On the bustling Wangfujing Street, the silver-gray four-story building of the China Photo Studio does not seem very appeal. This time-honored brand, which embodies the efforts of generations of photographers, not only captured the changes of the times with photos, but also recorded many unforgettable moments in the lives of many. From baby photos, first birthday photos, and wedding photos, to family portraits, those small photos with the words "China Photo Studio" have become cherished heirlooms for many old Beijing citizens.

Silian Hair Salon

On Wangfujing Street, there is a special store, designed with a few strokes outlining a beautiful lady's face and flowing long hair. This is Silian Hair Salon. With a hairdryer and a rolling brush, with the adjustment of the airflow and the curvature and direction of the rolling brush, the female hairdresser can make fashionable hairstyles.

02 "Artistic vibe"

Everyone, old or young, can find a place to find their inner peace on Wangfujing Street. You can step into a bookstore, exhibition hall, or theater and stay away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Just enjoy the culture and art on winter days.

Reading

In 2023, "Book Feast" held by Beijing Publications Distribution Group entered several special bookstores in Beijing, offering a cultural feast to book lovers in early winter days. Wangfujing Bookstore, in collaboration with TongRenTang Chinese Medicine "Traditional Chinese Medicine", held interactive activities such as "Smelling, Recognizing, and Making Fragrances" with themes of traditional Chinese culture, Beijing-style culture, and technological innovation. They also organized activities such as the Mars Rover simulation experience and STEM aerospace-themed science box experience in collaboration with the magazine Aerospace Knowledge. You can follow the "Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore" WeChat official account to learn about the activities.

Beijing foreign languages bookstore, with its focus on selling original imported books, has become the "enlightenment bookstore" for English learners born in the 1970s and 1980s. It carries the reading memories of countless readers.

Located on the bustling Wangfujing Street, the Hanfenlou Bookstore of the Commercial Press is a quiet place where you can feel the history of the century-old press. The Hanfenlou art gallery is on the second floor, which houses the treasure of the Commercial Press - the Sikuquanshu (the Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature).

Exhibition

The Guardian Art Center is located at the northern end of Wangfujing Street and has hosted over 150 major art exhibitions. In the 50,000-square-meter art center, you can enjoy a "one-stop" art journey. In December, the center will open its new exhibition: the Palace Museum Collection of Fine Glassware and Light, Ripples, and Ségry: Difference or Bridge.

Theater

As we often say, "Grand performances in Beijing and the best performances in Dongcheng." Whenever we talk about performances in Beijing, Dongcheng District is an inevitable topic. Dongcheng District is the forefront witnessing the vigorous development of the cultural and artistic industry in New China.

There are many "star theaters" located near Wangfujing Street in Dongcheng District, such as the influential performing arts institution Beijing People's Art Theatre, Jixiang Grand Theatre that has witnessed the history of Chinese opera in the past century, the first theater in New China that focuses on drama - Capital Theatre, the leading theater for children's plays in New China - China National Theatre for Children, and the distinctive small theater - China National Drama Theatre Guohua Xianfeng Theatre.

Translator: LIU Siqi

Reviewer: LIU Jin