Qianmen Street runs south from Tiananmen Square, just along the Beijing central axis. It is one of the last remnants of the business centers of old Beijing. It has been transformed into a modern commercial pedestrian street, the second walking street after Wangfujiang Street in the downtown shopping ditrict Beijing.
Qianmen Street was initially formed in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). By the time of Emperor Jiajing, the 12th Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperor, the street was dotted with guild halls built by different localities, to provide housing to citizens intending to take the imperial exams.
Qianmen Street became even more prosperous in the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with the development of activities such as lantern fairs, theaters and teahouses. Places like the Guanghe Theater — today threatened with demolition — and the Quanjude roast duck restaurant are part of Beijing’s history.
“The Ming and Qing Dynasties” Qianmen Street was burnt down to ashes in 1900 when the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers ransacked Beijing. Physically, there is nothing left for us to retrieve.
The present Qianmen Street has been rebuilt on the historical photos and the mould of the 1920s to 1930s. The 1.45-square kilometer area has been built into four zones for culture, food, shopping and entertainment. Trolley cars are back to transport and entertain tourists.
The area is home to 50 couryards and hutongs listed as state-level heritage sites, as well as 80 famed shops that have been operating for over a century, such as the Liubiju sauce and pickle shop, Tongrentang drugstore, Ruifuxiang silk shop, Neiliansheng shoes store and Zhangyiyuan tea shop.
Follow me to explore Qianmen Street>
You may visit Qianmen Street from its north entrance, south of Tiananmen Square.
The north entrance to Qianmen Street with a traditional archway.
Or, you may enter Qianmen Street from its south entrance. The distance between the north entrance and south entrance is 845m in length.
The south entrance to Qianmen Street
The old style trolley is by the north entrance.
The old style trolley is by the north entrance.
Walking along the street.
Walking along the street.
The father and daughter are abmling down the street.
The father and daughter are ambling on the street.
The time-honored Yueshengzhai Restautant.
The time-honored Yueshengzhai Restautant.
The famous Qianmen Quanjude Duck Restaurant.
The famous Qianmen Quanjude Duck Restaurant.
People are lining up for having a bite of Duyichu shaomai.
People are lining up for having a bite of Duyichu shaomai.
China Bookstore
China Bookstore
Changcuntang, a famous traditional Chinese Pharmacy
Changcuntang, a famous traditional Chinese Pharmacy
MCdonald’s on the street
MCdonald's on the street
Walking about 80 meters from the north entrance to Qianmen Street, on your right hand, you will see the entrance to the famous Dashilan, once the business center of Beijing. The Dashilan area has gathered some of China’s oldest brands, such as Tongrentang (TCM), Neiliansheng (shoes), and Ruifuxiang (silk and fabrics).
The entrnce to the famous Dashilan
The two time-honored shops selling hats and shoes inside Dashilan Area.
The two time-honored shops selling hats and shoes inside Dashilan Area
Tags: Qianmen Avenue, Qianmen Dajie
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on Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am and is filed under Beijing Attractions.
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