Hidden
gems around Beijing’s main strip
Also known as "the Gold Street" by Beijing residents, Wangfujing has been a locacl attraction since 1903. Today, it has grown into a center of modernity and fashion, with numerous venues for shopping, dining, entertainment and education, all whilst maintaining its historical charm. Amani Zhang
Voyage
to the Orient
Shopping
malls aren’t just fun for adults: At the Malls at Oriental Plaza,
kids can have their fair share, too. For the newest and coolest toys
made of vinyl, check out ARC Station, where plain-white toy models
can be personalized on the spot with paint for RMB 20 extra. Mothers
and daughters can bond next door over handbags and dolls at Pucca, or
down the hall at the Disney Silver Jewelry Shop. When the tummies
start rumbling, a sushi-carrying conveyer belt at Lu Yuan Circling
Sushi will satisfy drooling mouths without stopping the fun. A more
conventional sit-down meal of rice or noodles at Yoshinoya will also
do the trick. For dessert, head to Beard Papa Bakery for a
scrumptious chocolate cupcake, or find something less decadent at
Sophie’s Bakery Shop, which carries candies in the shape of Hello
Kitty, clowns and other fun characters. The Malls at Oriental Plaza
(English spoken at the information desk). Most shops open daily
9am-11pm. 1 Dongchang’an Jie 东方新天地,
东城区东长安街1号
Toy
Heaven
Virtually
anything and everything related to children can be found at the New
China Kids’ Store. The first floor, dedicated entirely to toys,
will keep kids occupied for an entire day, while parents will be more
interested in the store’s second and third levels – the former
offering a seemingly endless supply of clothes and shoes for kids
ranging from one-year-olds to teenagers, and the latter heavily
stocked with baby care items including strollers, cribs, car seats
and baby toilets from brand names like Chicco, Maclaren, Goodbaby,
Combi, Zooper and Graco. Mothers-to-be can also find a wide selection
of comfortable yet stylish maternity clothes on the top floor. When
your shopping needs are met, head to the store’s underground
entertainment park, where a large playground, artificial beach, baby
photo studio, pottery and toy painting lessons await. New China Kids’
Store (some English spoken). Daily 9am-10pm. 168 Wangfujing,
Dongcheng District 新中国儿童用品商店,
东城区王府井大街168号
Catch
a Flick
For
a few hours of quick release, distract your restless young ones with
the latest Hollywood blockbuster showing at Sun Dong An Cinema. Let
Harry Potter, the Ninja Turtles or the big-screen superhero of the
hour take your kids on an adventure while you enjoy a breather.
Should you have time before or after (and some change to spare) your
kids can continue the action in the theater’s Sega Game Center,
located on the fourth floor. When they tire of the virtual world,
stop by the Poptang Toy Store right next door. Sun Dong An Cinema
(English spoken at reception desk). Daily 9am-10pm. Sun Dong An
Plaza, 138 Wangfujing, Dongcheng District 新东安影城,
东城区王府井大街138号
Get
a Dose of ’08 Fever
With
less than one year left until the start of the Olympics, now is the
time to stock up on collectors’ items. For official Beijing Games
merchandise, the 2008 Olympic Flagship Store hits the spot. Prices
range from RMB 25 to 60 for souvenir items like key chains, buttons
and pins, and up to RMB 400 for more practical items like T-shirts,
sunglasses and umbrellas. Get some jewelry for yourself and a school
bag or backpack for the kids to show off in class, or collect all six
adorable Olympic mascot dolls. Serious enthusiasts may consider
purchasing a set of jade Fuwa figurines for RMB 290,000. All items
are officially licensed with anti-counterfeit labels to ensure that
your shopping experience won’t be spoiled by worries about
authenticity. 2008 Olympic Flagship Store (some English spoken).
Daily 9.30am-9pm. Wangfujing Artistic Mansion, 200 Wangfujing,
Dongcheng District 王府井工美大厦,
东城区王府井大街200号
Bury
Your Head in a Book
Books
fit for the imagination of every boy and girl can be found on the
third floor of the Foreign Language Bookstore, which carries an
impressive selection of imported children’s reading material. From
Disney and Dr. Seuss to Roald Dahl and Judy Blume, the Foreign
Language Bookstore has it all, including popular comics like Garfield
and Calvin and Hobbes. Parents can find answers to the oddest
questions with reference books ranging from picture dictionaries to
the Encyclopedia Britannica. Budding booklovers can have fun reading
and learning, too, with educational workbooks offering additional
practice in math, spelling and handwriting. If all work and no play
makes for restless children, head to the bookstore’s first floor
for the learning toys and games to complete your child’s
extracurricular education. Foreign Language Bookstore (some English
spoken). Daily 9am-9pm. 235 Wangfujing, Dongcheng District 外文书店,
东城区王府井大街235号
Toot,
Pluck, Strum
Does
your kid have a future as a rock star or classical pianist? Kids
eager to test their talents in music can experiment with the vast
collection of strings, percussion, brass and woodwinds on display at
Hao You Musical Instrument Store. The diverse variety of Western
instruments includes acoustic and electric guitars, drums,
accordions, violins, cellos, saxophones, clarinets and oboes;
traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng, erhu, yangqin,
hulusi, dizi, pipa and sheng are also on hand and ready to be tested.
Shop assistants can demonstrate how instruments are played, and each
purchase of a hulusi comes with one free lesson. Hao You Musical
Instrument Store (some English spoken). Daily 9am-9pm. 277
Wangfujing, Dongcheng District 好友商场中西乐器行,
东城区王府井277号
Marvel
at Masterpieces
Take
your blossoming right-brainers on an artistic excursion around the
world without taking a single step out of Beijing. With an impressive
collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, calligraphy and
pottery, the 20 exhibition halls of the National Art Museum of China
feature works from ancient to modern times and from schools of both
East and West, making it the perfect place for little Cezannes and
Monets to encounter the great work of the masters. Events and
exhibitions geared specially towards children are held at the museum
several times a year. National Art Museum of China (free pamphlets
with information on exhibits available in Chinese and English). Daily
9am-5pm. 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District 中国美术馆,
东城区五四大街1号
Bone
Up on Cavemen
Who
would’ve thought that one could explore priceless, millennia-old
archaeological artifacts below the modish shopping district of
Wangfujing? At the Wangfujing Paleolithic Museum, located in the
basement of the Oriental Plaza, scenes of prehistoric life come alive
through exhibits of animal fossils and bones, stone tools and
residues of ancient fires uncovered nearby. Just one trip will
simultaneously quench both historical and supernatural curiosity, as
an oddly-situated (though interesting) photo gallery showing
world-famous magicians performing magic tricks can also be found
inside. Wangfujing Paleolithic Museum (English explanations on
exhibit placards). Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Exit A of
Wangfujing Subway Station, Dongcheng District 王府井古人类文化遗址博物馆,
东城区王府井地铁站A出口
