Head down to this well-known shopping district in central Beijing for tailored clothing, accessories and sumptuous snacks.
Stretching for over a kilometre through the central Dongcheng district of Beijing, Wangfujing Street has long been a commercial hub in the city. Now the quaint arcades along the pedestrianised road attract throngs of tourists and locals alike, brought here by the broad range of made-to-measure clothing shops, exotic street-food and exclusive accessories.Dapper chaps will want to head straight for the iconic Sheng Xifu hat shop, which has been on this spot for over a century, to try on a high-quality piece of headgear. Those looking for a local souvenir to take home may want to browse the impressive selection of shops offering embroidered silk and decorative chopsticks. Other stores offer everything from cheap clothes and tailored suits to comfortable Chinese slippers.If you start to get a little thirsty, be sure to pop into the Wu Yu Tai Tea House for a brew. This local landmark has weathered more than a hundred years of upheaval and still serves some of the best tea in China.For an escape from the bustling shop-lined streets, head for the quiet refuge of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The cool, quiet interior will provide a few minutes respite from the busy shopping district. At night, the cathedral makes for a beautiful sight as it is bathed in golden spotlights. There is often dancing in Cathedral Square during the evenings, adding a celebratory air to proceedings.Food can be found on any of the numerous side roads leading away from the main concourse. Wangfujing Snack Street offers a wide variety of exciting food, including starfish, scorpion and crunchy bugs on sticks.If chomping down on a snake steak is not your idea of a good meal, you can always rely on less adventurous staples including noodles, dumplings and delicious Peking Duck. Just head for the bright neon lights of the local restaurants and you’ll soon be spoilt for choice with a range of local delicacies.Wangfujing Street is just a few minutes’ walk from Wangfujing Station. Travel there by subway or simply jump into a taxi.
