One of Beijing's most popular commercial centers, Wangfujing is home to hundreds of shops, the city's largest shopping mall, the Xinhua bookstore and the famous night market.
While Wangfujing is presently emblazoned with lights and billboards of popular Chinese and Western brand names, the street owns a long history of commercial activity, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
In the late 1990s, the street was converted into a pedestrian-only destination, making cruising the area much easier and safer.
Tourist naturally gravitate to Wangfujing due to its proximity to Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, but also because it is an excellent place to purchase traditional Chinese gifts (fans, silks, Mao-morabilia) as well as discounted electronics.
Every night, a lane of red and white food stalls near the north-west end of Wangfujing transforms into a vibrant night market, selling exotic snacks. Locals and tourists alike congregate along the street to eat and stroll.