Sunkissed Tanning Studio

We selected an array of different kinds of stores to look into and interview to see how the owners viewed the new development of the hutong as well as to see just how well business has been growing here. We started at Sunkissed tanning studio, a relatively new business that caters mostly to foreigners because the local Chinese have not yet warmed to the idea of tanning in fashion. The owner, (Yuki) Liu Jia, chose to start her business in Wudaoying “because it is situated in a very attractive tourist area near Yonghegong and Guozhijian.” Since Wudaoying is developing, those tourists may venture and discover her business, giving it good exposure and raising the potential for it to be highly profitable. Ms. Liu’s business, she says, is unique because it has the latest imported tanning equipment from Germany while being the least expensive tanning salon in Beijing.

Sattva Gallery & Boutique

Across from the salon, we found another unique and growing business, the Sattva Gallery & Boutique. Specializing in Tibetan Thangkas, the shop also features beautiful Tibetan furniture, rugs, and herbal medicine incense hand made in monasteries by monks. The owner, Carole Liu, chose to locate her shop in Wudaoying for the same kind of reasons we have come to expect. Yonghegong is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing and even the world, and today it continues to play an important role in the Buddhist faith. Since the gallery deals with Tibetan religious paintings, it is a good idea to locate the gallery near Yonghegong. In addition, Wudaoying is near the Drum Tower, the Confucian Temple, and the Alter of the Earth. Yet, the street still retains its rustic old Beijing charm and is a jewel of Beijing’s cultural heritage. For these reasons, Wudaoing hutong is perfect for her gallery, she says.