Beijing by Foot Walk #32: Qianmen East

thebeijinger — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:00:00 +0800

In Old Beijing, this was the hub of commerce, entertainment and vice. Qianmen is named for the gate separating the inner “Manchu” city and outer “Han” city – Han residents were kicked out of the former by the Qing in 1648.

Some of China’s oldest extant businesses are here, including Tongrentang (5), a traditional pharmacy opened in 1669, and Qianxiangyi Silk Store (1), from 1840. The neighborhood’s commercial bent is also mirrored in street names like Zhubaoshi Jie (“Jewelry Market Street”) and Liangshidian Jie (“Grain Shop Street”).

The Beijinger Blog - Eric Abrahamsen

Beijing by Foot Walk #32: Qianmen East