Did you know that Wangjing’s name is nearly a thousand years old? Picture this: you stand before the bustling heart of Wangjing. This area wasn’t always a modern marvel of high-rises and international businesses. Wangjing subdistrict in Chaoyang district Beijing boasts a rich history. Its name meaning ‘looking at Beijing’ hints at its past. Legend says Emperor Qianlong himself named it. He saw the Beijing city from this location. He was so pleased he named two villages here Dawangjing and Xiaowangjing.
For centuries Wangjing was a collection of villages. It was a scenic area outside of the city. In the 1980s everything changed. The area began to transform. Villages like Nanhu Donghu Houzhuang and Xibanfang were redeveloped. They became vibrant neighborhoods like Huajiadi and Wangjing New Town. In 1997 developers even invited Koreans to live in Wangjing New Town.
The 2000s witnessed Wangjing’s rapid rise. Small Wangjing Village became home to modern high rises. Top 500 companies like Motorola Nortel Networks and Siemens established headquarters there. Impressive buildings like the Siemens Building and Fangheng International Center shot up. They set new height records for Wangjing.
By 2009 the Dawangjing Village was undergoing reconstruction. The Beijing Municipal Government approved a new plan. The Dawangjing Business District became a key development area. It was even designated a Science and Technology Business Innovation Zone. This transformation attracted many South Koreans. By 2007 over 70000 lived in Wangjing creating a thriving Koreatown. Today however the number has declined due to economic changes.
Modern Wangjing is a mix of residential areas and businesses. Many international companies have offices here. It’s close to the airport and central Beijing. Its convenient location is one of the reasons many people chose to live here. Wangjing is a truly fascinating blend of ancient history and modern innovation. You can almost feel the echoes of the past among the skyscrapers and the energy of the future in this rapidly growing district.