Choose the shops you want to explore
Wangfujing is a shopping district in Beijing's Dongcheng area, with department stores, malls and street-facing shops along the pedestrian street. The street itself is easy to browse on foot, but much of the shopping happens inside separate buildings. Department stores and malls make it convenient to compare goods in one place, craft shops focus attention on materials and workmanship, and bookstores offer a different way to spend time. Walking straight along the street mainly shows you the storefronts. Entering one or two shops with a general idea of what you want makes their differences easier to understand.
Allow some time here for shopping or relaxation without trying to visit every mall. For everyday brands and department-store shopping, consider Beijing Department Store and Beijing apm. Gongmei Building is a more focused choice for gifts featuring Chinese crafts, while Wangfujing Bookstore suits an interest in books and cultural merchandise. The malls and street have a wide range of places to eat, so not all food sold here should be understood as local Beijing snacks.
Gongmei Building: materials and craftsmanship
Wangfujing Gongmei Building is at 200 Wangfujing Street. Its predecessor was the Beijing Arts and Crafts Service Department, founded in 1954. The Gongmei Group website lists gold and jewelry, traditional Chinese crafts, folk crafts, modern crafts and souvenirs among its goods. These give shoppers different things to consider from a typical clothing mall. Even for gifts, materials, production methods, size and packaging affect both price and how easily an item can be carried home.
Small souvenirs are convenient gifts to take home and distribute, while jewelry and larger craft pieces merit a closer look at the product information. Ask staff about materials, origin, care and after-sales conditions. For fragile goods such as ceramics, also consider luggage space and packaging. As of November 8, 2026, the official website still listed this address and these product categories; specific counters, stock and prices should be confirmed in the store.
The department store and bookstore
Beijing Department Store is at 255 Wangfujing Street and was founded in 1955. For visitors, it is both a place to shop and a concrete link to the street's commercial history. Look beyond the label of a long-established store: notice the facade, the store's name and its position on the street, then go inside to compare goods you need. Whether to buy can depend on your purpose and budget.
Wangfujing Bookstore adds a place to read and browse publications to the shopping street. If you do not read Chinese, you might focus on book design, illustration, photography and other visual books, then check whether the language and content suit your needs. Merchandise and events can change. Treat discoveries in the store as an addition to your visit rather than expecting an item from an old sales or exhibition report to remain available.
The East Church and a pause along the street
Wangfujing Catholic Church, formally St. Joseph's Church and commonly known as the East Church or Dongtang, is at 74 Wangfujing Street. Its main facade faces west, with crosses on three towers. The gray walls, arched windows and layered facade contrast with the glass fronts of nearby malls. Viewing the whole facade from the square shows its architecture more clearly than a photograph of the sign alone.
The East Church remains a place of worship. If entry is allowed, follow the rules for services and photography; during religious activities, wait quietly or view it from outside. It can provide a short stop between shops, but access from the street does not mean the church interior is always open. Wangfujing's interest comes partly from places that are close together yet serve different purposes: buying everyday goods and gifts, browsing a book, then looking at a church's doors, windows and towers.
Useful official references
Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.
