Qian Men is the common term for Zheng Yang Men, built in 1419, which was the south gate of the inner city of Beijing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Qianmen Shopping Area, also known as Da Shi Lan, is Beijing's oldest shopping district. It was once the most flourishing and bustling area in the old Beijing because of its important location, but its past glory has long gone. Today the area is rather cluttered with a lot of stores selling mostly low quality goods. There are also many restaurants and teahouses here, such as the famous Laoshe Teahouse.

Close by is Liu Li Chang, a well known ancient culture street in Beijing. The photos were taken on 8/1/2004.