Early Morning Stroll along Chang’an Avenue

Chang’an Jie (长安街) in Beijing is often regarded as the longest and widest street in the world. Chang’an Jie, known as Chang’an Avenue, literally means “”Eternal Peace Street” named after the ancient capital of Tang Dynasty which was the present city of Xian.

The original construction of Chang’an Avenue started with the building of the Forbidden City in Ming Dynasty during the period of 1406 -1420 with over 600 years of history.

The Chang’an Avenue used to be only 4 km long centered on Tiananmen Square which divided Chang’an Avenue into two sections – East Chang’an Avenue and West Chang’an Avenue.

Now in a very broad sense, the present east-west Changa’an Avenue has been largely widened and extended, adding up to a total length of 45km starting from Beiyuan, Tongzhou District in the east to the eastern gate of Shougang at Shijingshan District in the west.

Chang’an Avenue is a major through route in Beijing running from east to west through the heart of Beijing. But you cannot find the real name of Chang’an Avenue on maps since it is a general name of 10 roads and streets that encompass the Chang’an Avenue including Shijingshan Road, Fuxingmen Outer Street, Fuxingmen Inner Street, West Chang’an Avenue, East Chang’an Avenue, Jianguomen Inner Street, Jianguomen Outer Street, Jianguo Road and Jingtong Expressway. The Subway line 1 runs under the Chang’an Street.

At the time of my writing, small cars, trucks and freight vehicles are forbidden to drive along Chang’an Aavenue day and night. No commercial posters and advertising are allowed posted on the buildings along the street.

Plan your Beijing walking tour? Pick a fine day and have an early morning walk along Chang’an Street to feel the heart beat of Beijing.

Please follow me to have a stroll along the Jianguomen Outer Street starting from Jianguomen Bridge in the west and Guomao Bridge in the west, a 2.2km-long walk.

Jianguomen Bridge links the Jianguomen Inner Street on the west and Jianguomen Outer Street on the east. The second ring road is under Jianguomen Bridge from north to south.