In an effort to return the area around the Qianmen gate (the front/south gate of Tiananmen Square) to its late 1950s hey day, builders and property developers have completely revamped and renovated several street and lanes, providing Beijingers with a new reason to roam and meander along the streets.

The main drag, which features tracks for a ceremonious trolley to glide down the street, is currently full of vacant store fronts (construction has just been completed, so the real estate push will soon follow suit) and the soon-to-be opened Beijing Railway Museum (also currently closed).

Although the area is essentially nothing more than another new commercial, it does provide excellent views of the massive Qianmen gate.

Much like anything else new in Beijing, people flock, people walk, people stare, and even a couple 'laowais' make it out.

I'm sure that the new Qianmen walking street will eventually become a booming retail hub, but, well, the same could have been said about the area leading up to the Terracotta Warriors several years ago (many of the store fronts have yet to bet rented to vendors).

Anyone else have so good pictures of Qianmen to add to this ChinaTravel.net site?