Wangfujing is certainly a major landmark in Beijing. Wangfujing is perceived as very central, at the east of Forbidden City and Tiananmen square. This is a large pedestrian street which is at the same time a touristic place and a Business hub. Above all, for Chinese people, this is one of the most prestigious place in Beijing to do shopping.

A legend is supposed to explain the origin of the name Wangfujing. During the Ming dynasty, there was a terrible drought in Beijing. All the wells of the surrounding area went dry. Actually, all but one: there was a prince that had a well in its mansion and he decided that its water should remain unsoiled: he prohibited anyone to have access to the well. A keeper was designed whose mission was to ensure that nobody would drink at the well, but he was moved by the difficulties of the population. He decided then to let people access secretly to the well during the night. One day, the prince discovered the lie and the disobedience and he went mad against the well-keeper. Surprisingly, the well keeper decided to take the blame and objected to the prince that without him, many in the local population would have died. The prince found that this attitude was a moral one and admitted he himself was wrong. Thus, he gave open access to the well and from that moment on, the area was named "The Prince Mansion" and the population gathered there.

Actually, this is a very active commercial area since the Qing dynasty.

A wide pedestrian street, Wangfujing has large luxury shopping malls all along its both sides.

Here is a small list of the most emblematic ones: The Malls at Oriental Plaza, the Beijing Department Store and Sun Dong An plaza.

This is in Wangfujing as well that several of the Beijing's most famous bookstores are located. The most know to Chinese people is the Wangfujing Book Store 王府井书店, with books in English, and, for foreigners, the Beijing Foreign Language Bookstore.

The Hutongs are a labyrinth-style network of small alleys that are the traditional way of urbanism in northeastern China. There is a lot of charm strolling in these streets, along beautiful traditional Chinese houses and traditional courtyards protected by walls.

Some courtyards in these Hutongs have been beautifully renovated, this is a place where you can find beautiful housing. In case you are interested in renting housing in one of those Hutongs instead than a serviced apartment, have a look here. This is a place where you can rent among the most beautiful traditional courtyards in Beijing. .

Some addresses of hospitals and clinics in reach of your serviced apartment: Peking Union Medical College Hospital, apart from this address, the Beijing Maternity Hospital is not far at the northwest, near the Forbidden city walls.

Here is our selection of serviced apartment in the Wangfujing area:

• Oriental Plaza 东方广场,
• Lee Garden 北京丽苑公寓,
• Mariott Beijing 北京万豪行政公寓.

We selected:

• Provence 北京金桥国际公寓