Qianmen Avenue [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen Dajie is a well-known commercial street in Bejing. Situated on the central axis, it comprises of a series of significant landmarks, and spans a total length of 845 meters.

Qianmen Memorial Archway [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen Dajie had been an important road enabling the emperor to travel to imperial sacrificial altars such as the Temple of Heaven and the Altar of Mountains and Rivers up until the time of the construction of the outer city, from the 29th year of Emporer Jiajing's rule (1550) under the Ming dynasty. After 1901, two train stations were built on the west and east sides of the Qianmen Watchtower, thus becoming the transportation junction between Beijing and other provinces.

A Diang Diang Bus [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen Dajie enjoys a long history. It's the birthplace for many Chinese time-honored brands including Liu Bi Ju, Tong Ren Tang, Nei Lian Sheng and so on.

The Qianmen Hutong [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Since the 1950s, the Qianmen area has formed a comprehensive commercial system with around 800 private business households. It is also one of the most popular tour spots in Beijing.

An old house [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen Dajie is a well-known commercial street in Bejing. Situated on the central axis, it comprises of a series of significant landmarks, and spans a total length of 845 meters.

Quanjude Roast Duck [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen Dajie is a well-known commercial street in Bejing. Situated on the central axis, it comprises of a series of significant landmarks, and spans a total length of 845 meters.

A combination of Chinese and Western style [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Duyichu Shaomai Restaurant [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Dazhalan [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Restoration of the past [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

A street undergoingrenovation [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

A feast for the eyes [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

A spacious street [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Qianmen is a top choice fortourists [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]

Many cultural elements of old Beijing can be found in the Qianmen area [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Wang Zhi]