Wangfujing intersects with East Chang’an Avenue. It has a history of more than 100 years. The street, which is less than one kilometer long, is lined with shops. The best-known shop is the Beijing Department Store. To the north of the department Store is the One World Department Store, hosting a collection of Chinese and foreign name brands and fine quality products.La Fayette presents French features, namely fashions and name brands. The newly-opened Sun Dong’an Market is the largest supermarket in Beijing. It covers a business floor space of 100,000 aquare meters and sells more than 200,000 kinds of goods. The Oriental Plaza, which is considered another miracle in Chinese architectural history, is scheduled for comp;etion soon. It stands just by the south entrance of Wangfujing.
A walk from end to end would take you about 30 minutes, and that’s without looking at any shops. This is the largest and busiest market street in Beijing. Lining the street are many old stores, specialized stores, bookshops, and department stores. The number of customers reaches 100,000 every day.
St.Joseph’s Church (Dongtang Cathedral)
Located east of central Wangfujing Street, the Catholic East Church, or Wangfujing Catholic Church, is one of the best-preserved religious sites in the heart of Beijing.
The present building was rebuilt in 1904 on the ruins of the burned church.
The East Church was originally called Saint Joseph’s Church, and was built in the 12th year (1655) of Emperor Shunzhi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
It was the second Catholic church built in Beijing after Italian preacher Matteo Ricci built the “South Church” in southern Beijing at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
In the 1980s, large-scale repairs and maintenance were carried out by the government for East Church.
Occupying an area of 2,387 square metres, the church underwent its latest renovation in May of this year. Beside the church is a front square of 1.2 hectares. Trees and grass were planted and various lighting facilities were installed to show off the gorgeous building at night.
To get there: Take the line one subway to Wangfujing Station. The church is about 500 metres north of the northwest station exit.
Address: 74 Wangfujing Dajie
Tags: Beijing, Shopping in Beijing