Qianmen Street is a famous commercial street in the heart of Beijing that has been restored to its former glory after initially being established in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911).
The street was once the entrance to Beijing city and is now bustling with various shops and eateries. The area has the architectural style of old Peking, and is home to 50 courtyards and hutongs that are listed as protected heritage sites. Many of the traditional shops in the area have been in operation for well over a century.
Visitors can approach Qianmen Street from either its north of south entrance. The Dangdang Che (trams) that ran in Beijing from the 1920s until the 1960s can also be found running the length of the street. These are modelled on the old trams and serve as sightseeing cars for tourists.
Practical Info
To visit Qianmen Street, take Subway Line 2 and alight at Qianmen Station. A number of bus routes also serve the area.
