Beijing Photo Gallery - The New Qianmen

Qianmen and its side alleys such as Dashilan have been a major retail area for over 500 years. Part of the Beijing Central Axis that covers the historic capital from the Bell Tower south to the Forbidden City and finally to Yongdingmen, many historic brands have operated out of here since the Qing Dynasty.

While the area has a lot of old-looking architecture, it's pretty much new and rebuilt for the 2008 Olympics. This is NOT an original hutong neighbourhood, although it is still worth a visit to check out the old brands' shops that sell traditional goods.

Trams used to run along the main road for a little over 40 years and have returned as part of the renovated Qianmen.

Zhang Yiyuan was established in 1900 and is famous for its high quality jasmine teas and honest operations. Looking at their price list, they have many different types of jasmine tea which I've never seen and prices range wildly from 88 yuan to 6800 yuan per 500g for the most discerning palette.

Tong Ren Tang is thought to be China's oldest medicine shop, founded in 1669 by a Court physician. They have been the designated medicine supplier to the imperial pharmacy since 1723 and now has branches around the world.

Neiliansheng started selling hand-made cloth shoes in 1853 to supply the imperial court. Their most intricate shoes require over 4000 stitches and can take up to 5 days to finish. There is even a museum within their shop that is worth a stop.

Liubiju has been selling pickles, a side dish favourite, for over 450 years. Historic records show the company was established during the Ming Dynasty in 1530. Initially a brewery, they turned to produce pickles and sauces.

I then continued west along Dashilan to look for more old brands. Locals have long referred to this street for their shopping needs.

Ruifuxiang opened in 1893 to sell silk products from materials sourced from Suzhou and Hangzhou as well as fur and leather goods from the north. Their tailors specialize in creating traditional clothes such as cheongsam and gowns. When the Communists won the civil war, their first 5-star flag raised at Tiananmen Square was made from Ruifuxiang's silk.

As I headed west, the tourist crowds thinned out drastically and it seemed like a local neighbourhood again.