A Day Around Tian’an Men Square and Wangfujing Dajie
Morning
Arrive early to beat the crowds at
Mao’s Mausoleum
and shuffle through for the
permitted few minutes in the presence of the Great Helmsman. The
Forbidden City can be saved for another day, but climb the
Tian’an Men
for the views from the gallery. From
the gate walk east along the Imperial City wall soon arriving at an
entrance overlooked by most visitors: this leads to the Imperial Ancestral Temple,
once one of the city’s most important places of worship. Carry on east;
after the junction with Nan Chizi cutting back inside the wall to walk
through pleasant Changpu He Park. One (long) block beyond the park is Wangfujing Dajie and the Oriental Plaza mall, with a superb food court in the basement.
Afternoon
Wander up Wangfujing Dajie, making sure to look in the chopstick and tea shops. At No. 74 is the attractive St. Joseph’s Church,
which is well worth a look. Immediately before the church is a
crossroads: head away from the church along Deng Shi Kou Jie looking for
signs for Fengfu Hutong on your right. Here is the Former Residence of Writer Lao She,
offering a glimpse into a way of life fast disappearing in Beijing.
Retrace your steps down Wangfujing to Dong’an Men Dajie where the famous
Night Market should by now be set up.
Shops, Malls, and Markets
Oriental Plaza
Several
floors of big-name international high-end retailers, from Apple and
Sony to Armani and Paul Smith. Don’t expect any bargains.
Oriental Plaza
Foreign Languages Bookstore
Most of the ground floor here is devoted to English-language fiction and non-fiction works. Staff are reliably surly.
Foreign Languages Bookstore
Ten Fu’s Tea
Tea from all over China, sold loose or in beautiful presentation boxes. Staff will even brew small cups for sampling.
Ten Fu’s Tea
APM
This shopping mall full of mid-range clothes shops also has a multiscreen cinema and lots of restaurants up on the top floor.
Beijing Arts & Crafts Central Store
A
vast, multi-story emporium of all kinds of Chinese handicrafts, from
cloisonné vases and jade, to wood-carvings, lacquer ware, and silks.
Mao’s Mausoleum
The mausoleum gift shop is the best source of Mao badges, posters, and shoulder bags.
Hong Cao Wan’r
An upmarket ladies’ clothing boutique , Hong Cao Wan’r specializes in designer oriental items in natural fabrics.
28 Wangfujing Dajie
Subway: Dengshikou
Intime Lotte
This
new high-end mall sells many Korean brands, which is not surprising,
since it is jointly owned by the Korean department giant Lotte and the
Chinese Intime group. Cultural events and exhibitions are also held
here.
Jun Yi Home
Chinese military surplus store with badges, patches, and even uniforms.
383 Dong Si Bei Dajie
Subway: Dong Si
Hao Yuan Market
Small
street market just off Wangfujing, which is crammed with stalls selling
all kinds of knick-knacks, handicrafts, and curios.
NOTE
Most shops, markets, and malls tend to be open approximately 9am–9pm daily.
