Neighborhood
Wangfujing Street
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Wangfujing is Beijing's most famous shopping street, a broad, largely pedestrianised avenue near the Forbidden City lined with department stores, malls, flagship shops, and bookstores, bustling day and night. For visitors it's as much about the atmosphere and people-watching as the shopping, and it's an easy, central stroll after seeing Tiananmen and the Forbidden City nearby.
Its side lanes have traditionally held snack markets famous (or infamous) for adventurous street food, skewers of all kinds, though these have been scaled back in recent years, so check what's currently operating. The street also has a glass panel revealing a section of ancient road beneath. It's a convenient, lively slice of modern Beijing commercial life, walkable from the major historic sights.
Don't miss
- Beijing's premier pedestrian shopping street
- Department stores, malls, and flagship shops
- Famous (if reduced) snack-street food lanes
- A glass-covered section of ancient road
- Its central location near the Forbidden City
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Wangfujing Street
You don't need a tour to visit, entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Wangfujing Street with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inForbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket Booking4.7★ · 162 travelers2-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →
Best full dayBeijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square4.6★ · 751 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$99 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleBeijing Private Hutong Food Walking Tour5★ · 353 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$74 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Getting there
Know before you go
- It's a central, easy stroll after the Forbidden City and Tiananmen.
- The famous snack-food lanes have been scaled back, check what's currently open.
- Evening is liveliest with the lights and crowds.
- Look for the glass panel revealing a stretch of ancient road.
A bit of history
Wangfujing has been a commercial street for centuries, named for a princely residence and a famous well ('Wang Fu Jing' meaning roughly 'princely residence well'). It developed into Beijing's premier shopping district in the 20th century and was pedestrianised and modernised around the millennium.
Common questions
What is Wangfujing?
Beijing's most famous shopping street, a central, pedestrianised avenue of department stores, malls, and shops near the Forbidden City, lively day and night.
Is the famous snack street still there?
The adventurous snack-food markets have been scaled back in recent years, so check what's currently operating before going specifically for them.
Is it worth visiting?
As a convenient, lively stroll after the nearby historic sights, yes. It's more about atmosphere and shopping than a must-see in itself.
How do I get there?
Metro to Wangfujing station on Line 1, in central Beijing near the Forbidden City.
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