Qianmen Street

The basics

Locals and travelers alike visit Qianmen Street to walk, shop, and eat. There is a large variety of Chinese and international brand stores, selling everything from souvenirs to books to Chinese medicinal herbs. Numerous restaurants and small vendors sell everything from local favorites like Peking duck and noodles to western cuisine and fast food. The wide, car-free street is also pleasant for strolling.

Qianmen Street is included on a number of Beijing sightseeing tours, including foodie tours, shopping tours, day tours. and night tours. Day tours typically include nearby highlights such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace, while night tours typically include the National Center for the Performing Arts and the Houhai Lake area.

Things to know before you go

• Qianmen Street is ideal for shoppers, foodies, and Instagrammers.
• There is a paid tram that runs the length of the street.
• It’s a good idea to bring cash in small denominations, as some vendors won’t take anything else.

How to get there

Qianmen Street is located south of Tiananmen Square. Take the Metro Line 2 to Qianmen Station for the north end of the street, or Line 7 to Zhushikou Station for the south end of the street. A number of buses also stop nearby, including bus nos. 5, 8, 17, 22, 48, 66, 82, 120, 301, 646, and 826.

When to get there

Qianmen Street is open 24 hours a day, and most shops are open from morning until well into the night. The street is particularly festive at night, when the buildings are all lit up. It can get extremely busy on weekends and public holidays.

Historical Businesses Along Qianmen Street

Some of the businesses along Qianmen Street have been around for over 100 years. The Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, which dates from 1864, is one of the most famous, but other examples include the Rui Fuxiang silk store, the Zhang Yiyuan tea house, the Tong Rentang Chinese medicine store, and the Yitialong Restaurant.