Longfu Street Revives Historic Beijing hub with Modern Flair
beijing’s Dongcheng district is breathing new life into the historic Longfu Street, aiming to recapture the “flavor of old Beijing” while attracting a younger generation. A major revitalization project,spearheaded by Beijing New Longfu Cultural Investment Co., is transforming the area into a blend of conventional culture and contemporary attractions.
The street is actively incorporating elements designed to appeal to younger visitors, including performances, markets, sports, and outdoor activities, according to Gao Tianliang, spokesperson for the investment company. This strategy is already yielding results, with a wave of “first stores” choosing Dongcheng for their launch, including the Mahua Fun Age A99 Theater for comedy, the first North China location of the NOA designer hotel, china’s first 7mesh cycling shop, a new Red Star Forward Fresh Milk Cake store, and a concept store from outdoor brand Shanshui.Established brands like Sony ExploraScience and All Time Space have also established a presence.
However,the revitalization isn’t solely focused on new businesses. Time-honored Beijing brands are also participating, adapting to modern tastes. Traditional medicine producer Tongrentang has opened a cafe offering TCM-infused beverages like goji berry and dried tangerine peel lattes, alongside herbal pancakes. Daoxiangcun, a renowned dim sum producer, has launched a themed “treasure hunt” store.
“Our bread uses honey instead of sugar, as everyone knows excessive sugar intake is unhealthy,” explained Dai Xihong, store manager at the Tongrentang cafe. “We also offer new Chinese-style coffees like goji berry latte, dried tangerine peel latte… all integrating food and medicine.” The cafe’s unique Chinese pancakes, crafted with olive oil-fried crispy layers, two sterile eggs, and a special sauce containing over 10 Chinese herbs, have quickly become popular.
The street’s reopening in July drew crowds, including young people in traditional Chinese costumes eager to photograph the innovative food offerings. Notably, older Beijing residents are also returning, drawn by nostalgia. Zhao Yang, 73, who visited with her granddaughter, expressed her desire to “savor the old Beijing flavor” and recalled purchasing a marriage blanket at the former Longfu Plaza.
Longfu Temple, originally built in 1452 during the ming Dynasty’s Jingtai period, served as a royal incense temple throughout the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. From the Qing Dynasty until 1949,the Longfu Temple Fair was celebrated as one of Beijing’s most famous,earning the title “Crown of All Markets” for its focus on antique books,cultural artifacts,and art transactions – a reputation as a “cultural temple fair.”
The area suffered setbacks from fires in 1901 and 1993, which significantly damaged the complex and subsequently diminished the appeal of the commercial street that replaced it.
The current project aims to blend this rich history with a modern, creative culture. Shen Yi, manager of the Frienday shop, stated, “Like many Beijingers, I have profound love for the Longfu Temple area, and that’s why I opened a 150-square-metre shop with trendy bicycling cultural products this year. I believe a new Longfu Temple street will become increasingly rich in creative cultural atmosphere, more stylish and internationalized.”
Zhang jingcheng, director of China Creativity Industry Research Center and a government consultant for Dongcheng district, anticipates the revitalization will “boost cultural productivity and fashion consumption, leveraging itself from the history of the Central Axis, Longfu Temple and other traditional past sites.”
