Wangfujing Street Shopping Guide 2025: Beijing's Famous Pedestrian Street

Wangfujing Street (王府井大街) is Beijing's most famous shopping district and one of China's oldest commercial streets. Dating back 700 years to the Ming Dynasty, this pedestrian thoroughfare attracts over 600,000 visitors daily and offers everything from luxury brands to traditional snacks.

This complete guide covers everything you need for a successful shopping trip: what to buy, where to find deals, how to navigate the famous snack street, and insider tips to avoid tourist traps.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Location	Dongcheng District, central Beijing
Length	810 meters (pedestrian section)
Hours	Stores: 9 AM – 10 PM, Street vendors: until 11 PM
Nearest Metro	Wangfujing (Line 1), Dengshikou (Line 5)
Best Time	Weekday afternoons or evenings
Walking Time	1-2 hours for quick visit, 3-4 hours for thorough exploration

History of Wangfujing

The name "Wangfujing" means "Well of the Prince's Mansion." During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this area housed mansions of imperial princes, and a sweet water well here served the nobility.

Timeline

Era	Development
Ming Dynasty (1400s)	Prince's mansions established
Qing Dynasty (1800s)	Commercial street develops
1903	First department store opens
1955	Beijing Department Store built
1999	Pedestrianized, major renovation
2008	Olympics modernization
2019-2020	Major upgrade and expansion

Today, Wangfujing blends history with modernity, featuring traditional shops alongside Apple Stores and international luxury brands.

Getting There

By Metro (Recommended)

Line 1 - Wangfujing Station

• Exit A: Northern end of pedestrian street
• Exit C: Near Oriental Plaza (southern end)

Line 5 - Dengshikou Station

• Exit A: Middle of Wangfujing, near snack street

By Taxi/Didi

Show this to your driver:

王府井大街 (Wángfǔjǐng Dàjiē)

From major locations:

• Forbidden City: 10 minutes, ¥15-20
• Beijing Railway Station: 5 minutes, ¥12-15
• Sanlitun: 15 minutes, ¥25-35
• Airport (PEK): 45-60 minutes, ¥100-130

By Bus

Routes 1, 52, 57, 82, 99, 120 stop at Wangfujing.

Layout and Main Areas

Wangfujing Street runs north-south. Here's how to navigate:

Northern Section (Goldfish Lane to Dongdan)

• Traditional shops
• Art supplies and calligraphy stores
• Local snack vendors
• Less crowded

Central Section (Main Pedestrian Zone)

• Major department stores
• Wangfujing Snack Street (side alley)
• International brands
• Most crowded area

Southern Section (Oriental Plaza Area)

• Oriental Plaza mall
• Luxury brands
• High-end dining
• Apple Store

Major Shopping Destinations

Department Stores

1. Beijing Department Store (北京百货大楼)

The original Wangfujing shopping landmark, opened in 1955.

Detail	Information
Type	Traditional department store
Floors	8
Specialties	Chinese brands, cosmetics, household goods
Price Range	Mid-range
Best For	Authentic Beijing shopping experience

What to buy: Chinese cosmetics brands, silk products, traditional crafts

2. Wangfujing Department Store (王府井百货)

Modern department store with mix of Chinese and international brands.

Detail	Information
Type	Modern department store
Floors	7
Specialties	Fashion, cosmetics, accessories
Price Range	Mid to high
Best For	One-stop shopping

3. Oriental Plaza (东方广场)

Beijing's largest shopping complex, stretching 850 meters.

Detail	Information
Type	Luxury mall
Stores	300+
Specialties	International brands, fine dining
Price Range	High
Best For	Luxury shopping, upscale dining

Notable stores: Apple, Muji, Uniqlo, Zara, H&M, Louis Vuitton, Gucci

4. APM Beijing (originally Xindong'an Plaza)

Trendy mall targeting younger shoppers.

Detail	Information
Type	Fashion mall
Floors	6
Specialties	Fast fashion, youth brands, entertainment
Price Range	Mid-range
Best For	Younger visitors, trendy items

Specialty Stores

Beijing Arts and Crafts Store (工美大厦)

Best place for traditional Chinese crafts:

• Cloisonné – Enameled metalwork
• Jade carvings – Various grades available
• Silk embroidery – Suzhou-style needlework
• Lacquerware – Traditional Beijing craft
• Quality guarantee – Certified authentic products

Wuyutai Tea (吴裕泰)

Famous Beijing tea shop since 1887:

• Jasmine tea – Beijing's signature tea
• Dragon Well (Longjing) – Premium green tea
• Tea ice cream – Popular with tourists
• Tea sets – Porcelain and Yixing clay

Ruifuxiang Silk (瑞蚨祥)

Historic silk shop established in 1893:

• Silk fabrics – By the meter
• Qipao (cheongsam) – Custom-made in 1-2 days
• Silk scarves – From ¥100-500
• Tang suits – Traditional Chinese jackets

Neiliansheng Shoes (内联升)

Traditional Beijing cloth shoe maker since 1853:

• Handmade cloth shoes – From ¥200-800
• Embroidered slippers – Traditional Beijing style
• Custom fitting available

Tongrentang Pharmacy (同仁堂)

China's most famous traditional medicine shop (since 1669):

• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Herbal remedies
• Health supplements
• Consultation available

Wangfujing Snack Street (王府井小吃街)

Overview

Located in a side alley off the main street, this famous food market offers Chinese snacks and some more... adventurous options.

Hours: 9 AM – 11 PM Location: Turn east from main street near Beijing Department Store

What You'll Find

Traditional Beijing Snacks (Recommended)

Snack	Description	Price
Jianbing (煎饼)	Crispy crepe with egg	¥8-15
Tanghulu (糖葫芦)	Candied hawthorn berries	¥10-15
Roujiamo (肉夹馍)	Chinese "burger"	¥12-20
Lamb skewers (羊肉串)	Cumin-spiced	¥5-10 each
Beijing yogurt (老北京酸奶)	In ceramic jar	¥8-12
Baozi (包子)	Steamed buns	¥6-15
Luzhu huoshao (卤煮火烧)	Stewed pork organs	¥25-40

"Exotic" Stalls (Tourist Traps)

The famous scorpion and insect stalls are mostly for show:

• Scorpions on sticks – ¥30-50, more for photos than eating
• Starfish, seahorses – Overpriced, not particularly tasty
• Silkworm larvae – Actually eaten in some regions

Reality check: Most Chinese people don't eat these items. They're primarily marketed to tourists seeking "authentic" experiences. Locals consider them bizarre.

Snack Street Tips

1. Prices are negotiable – Start at 50% of quoted price
2. Avoid exotic stalls – Overpriced and not authentic
3. Check prices before ordering – Some stalls don't display prices
4. Try traditional snacks – Beijing yogurt, tanghulu, jianbing are genuinely local
5. Best time: Evening (6-9 PM) for full atmosphere

Better Alternatives for Authentic Food

For genuinely authentic Beijing street food, consider:

Location	Distance	Specialty
Donghuamen Night Market	500m east	Local evening food market
Nanluoguxiang	2km north	Trendy snacks in hutong setting
Niujie (Muslim Quarter)	4km southwest	Authentic halal street food

What to Buy (And What to Skip)

Worth Buying

Item	Where	Price Range	Notes
Tea	Wuyutai	¥50-500	Authentic, well-packaged for gifts
Silk scarves	Ruifuxiang	¥100-500	Genuine silk, elegant gifts
Cloisonné	Arts & Crafts Store	¥50-2000	Traditional Beijing craft
Cloth shoes	Neiliansheng	¥200-800	Comfortable, unique souvenirs
Jade jewelry	Arts & Crafts Store	¥200-5000+	Get certificate of authenticity
Traditional medicine	Tongrentang	¥50-500	Authentic, trusted brand
Cosmetics	Department stores	Varies	Chinese brands are good quality

Skip These

Item	Reason
"Jade" from street vendors	Usually fake or low quality
Electronics (except Apple Store)	Better selection at Zhongguancun
Fake luxury goods	Illegal and poor quality
Scorpions/insects on sticks	Tourist trap, overpriced
Pearls from pushy sellers	Often fake or low quality
"Antiques" from shops	Mostly reproductions

Bargaining Guide

Where Bargaining Works

• Snack street vendors – Always negotiate
• Small souvenir shops – 30-50% off asking price
• Night market stalls – Expect to bargain

Where Prices Are Fixed

• Department stores – No bargaining
• Brand-name stores – Fixed prices
• Specialty shops (Wuyutai, Ruifuxiang) – Fixed prices
• Oriental Plaza stores – No bargaining

Bargaining Phrases

English	Chinese	Pinyin
How much?	多少钱？	Duōshao qián?
Too expensive	太贵了	Tài guì le
Can you lower the price?	可以便宜一点吗？	Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?
I'll give you ¥50	五十块	Wǔshí kuài
No thank you	不要，谢谢	Bù yào, xièxie

Bargaining Tips

1. Start at 30-40% of asking price
2. Be prepared to walk away – Often they'll call you back
3. Stay friendly – Bargaining should be fun, not hostile
4. Know the real price – Research before shopping
5. Bundle items – Better discounts for multiple purchases

Dining Options

Quick Bites

Restaurant	Type	Price	Best For
Quanjude	Peking Duck	¥200-300/pp	Famous duck experience
Donglaishun	Hot Pot	¥100-150/pp	Traditional lamb hot pot
Goubuli	Baozi	¥40-60/pp	Famous Tianjin dumplings
Various noodle shops	Noodles	¥25-50/pp	Quick, cheap, local

Food Courts

Oriental Plaza basement has excellent food courts:

• Din Tai Fung – Taiwanese dumplings
• Haidilao – Hot pot (book ahead)
• Various cuisines – Japanese, Korean, Western

Coffee and Dessert

Cafe	Location	Known For
Starbucks Reserve	Oriental Plaza	Premium coffee
Wuyutai	Main street	Tea-flavored ice cream
Heytea (喜茶)	APM Mall	Cheese tea

Nearby Attractions

Within Walking Distance

Attraction	Distance	Time Needed
Forbidden City	1 km west	3-4 hours
Tiananmen Square	1 km west	1-2 hours
National Art Museum	500m north	1-2 hours
St. Joseph's Church (East Church)	300m	30 min
Jingshan Park	1.5 km northwest	1-2 hours

St. Joseph's Church (东堂/王府井天主堂)

Beautiful Gothic church at the south end of Wangfujing:

• Built in 1655, rebuilt in 1904
• Active Catholic church
• Stunning architecture
• Free entry (respectful dress required)

Suggested Combined Itinerary

Morning:

• 8:30 AM – Forbidden City (before crowds)
• 12:00 PM – Walk to Wangfujing

Afternoon:

• 12:30 PM – Lunch at Oriental Plaza
• 2:00 PM – Shopping at department stores
• 4:00 PM – Tea and snacks at Wuyutai

Evening:

• 5:30 PM – Wangfujing Snack Street
• 7:00 PM – Continue shopping (stores open until 10 PM)
• 8:30 PM – Dinner at Quanjude or Donglaishun

Practical Tips

Best Times to Visit

Time	Crowd Level	Notes
Weekday mornings	Light	Stores may just be opening
Weekday afternoons	Moderate	Good balance
Weekday evenings	Moderate-Heavy	Popular after work
Weekend afternoons	Very Heavy	Avoid if possible
Holidays	Extreme	Not recommended

Payment

• Alipay/WeChat Pay – Accepted everywhere
• Credit cards – Major stores and malls accept Visa/Mastercard
• Cash – Accepted but less common now
• Tip: Set up mobile payment before visiting

Safety

Wangfujing is very safe, but watch for:

• Pickpockets – Crowded areas, especially snack street
• Scams – "Tea ceremony" invitations from friendly strangers
• Overcharging – Check prices before purchasing at stalls
• Art students – May approach asking you to visit their "exhibition" (scam)

Restrooms

• Department stores – Clean, free
• Oriental Plaza – Multiple locations, clean
• Public toilets – Basic, look for "WC" signs
• Bring tissues – Not always provided

Weather Considerations

Season	Temperature	Tips
Spring (Mar-May)	10-25°C	Pleasant, occasional sandstorms
Summer (Jun-Aug)	25-35°C	Hot, rainy; malls have AC
Autumn (Sep-Nov)	10-25°C	Best season for visiting
Winter (Dec-Feb)	-10 to 5°C	Cold; dress warmly

Money-Saving Tips

1. Compare prices – Same items often cheaper at department stores than small shops
2. Skip tourist snack street – Find better food at half the price elsewhere
3. Bring your own water – Expensive at vendors
4. Use department store restrooms – Avoid paid public toilets
5. Shop end of season – Sales in February and August
6. Get tax refund – 11% refund on purchases over ¥500 at participating stores

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wangfujing worth visiting?

Yes, but manage expectations. It's a modern shopping street, not an ancient market. Worth a few hours, especially combined with nearby attractions.

How long should I spend here?

• Quick visit: 1-2 hours
• Thorough shopping: 3-4 hours
• With nearby attractions: Full day

Is it expensive?

Prices vary widely. Department stores and malls have fixed, reasonable prices. Street vendors and snack stalls often overcharge tourists.

Are the scorpions real?

Yes, they're real and alive (until cooked). However, this isn't traditional Chinese food—it's a tourist attraction.

Can I use credit cards?

Yes, in malls and larger stores. Smaller shops and street vendors prefer mobile payment or cash.

Is it crowded?

Very crowded on weekends and holidays. Weekday mornings are significantly better.

Is bargaining acceptable?

Only at small shops and street stalls. Department stores, brand stores, and specialty shops have fixed prices.

Conclusion

Wangfujing Street offers a unique blend of Beijing history and modern shopping. While some aspects are touristy, the traditional specialty shops, quality department stores, and atmosphere make it worth visiting.

Focus on authentic Beijing shops like Ruifuxiang (silk), Wuyutai (tea), and Neiliansheng (cloth shoes) for meaningful souvenirs, and venture beyond the main snack street for better food experiences.

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Want the complete Beijing experience? The China Survival Kit includes detailed Beijing guides, payment setup, and essential phrases for shopping and dining.