This mural is a guide to the history and attractions of Dongdan. Unfortunately, perhaps due to its positioning off to the side of one of the ticket offices it is virtually ignored by all who pass it by.
Dongdan or the ‘Eastern Single Sign Gate’ is the name of a crossing on Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue and surrounding neighbourhood. The name is derived from the single paifang or Chinese sign gate that once marked the intersection.
In the checkerboard layout of Beijing, the Dongdan intersection was balanced by Xidan in the west of the city centre. Dongdan and Xidan were traditionally market centres.
Tiantandongmen
Dongdan
Dengshikou
Dongsi
Zhangzizhonglu
Yonghegong
Huixinxijiebeikou