Walk Beijing's Well-Known, Fun, Shopping Destinations
Love to shop? When you think of China, do you think of silk, jade, cloisonné, pearls, carpets, art, antiques, and clothing? Like to bargain? Want to learn how? Or do you prefer fixed-price goods? Whatever you are looking to buy, Beijing has it.
Beijing is a superior shopping destination. Offering a wide variety of shopping opportunities, from street markets to huge new malls full of famous brand names; there is almost nothing that you can't buy in Beijing. It is practically impossible to list all the shopping possibilities. This is just a sampling of some of the better known places. All of them are within close proximity to many of the sights you will want to see in Beijing. If you have heard about another store or mall that you would like to go to, we can arrange that also. If there is something specific you want to buy, just let us know.
Wangfujing Street, Beijing's Premier Shopping District
Yuanlong Silk City: Yuanlong Silk City is one of the most famous silk stores in Beijing. Here you are able to buy very high quality silk cloth, clothes, silk comforters, and silk rugs. There are tailors on the premise. You might want to consider having them sew you a tailor-made Chinese qipao.
Panjiayuan Market: Also known as the Dirt Market, Panjiayuan is only open on weekends. This huge open-air market has everything from antiques, Chinese traditional art, calligraphy, Cultural Revolution memorabilia, posters, to Buddha statues, jewelry, ceramics and carpets. It is definitely the place to go if you are looking for some unusual gifts. Come early in the morning for the best selection of goods. Bargaining can be fun here.
Silk Street Market: Originally an open-air market right outside the American Embassy, the Silk Street Market has been moved to a six-story building near its original location. It has a countless number of stands selling silk, clothes, suitcases, T-shirts, tea sets, and almost anything else you can imagine. Difficult to bargain here now, but it is fun to try.
Hongqiao Pearl Market: This is one of the most famous and popular markets for the locals in Beijing. It is also frequented by many foreign and Chinese celebrities. Hongqiao Pearl Market is also one of the best places in Beijing to buy high quality Chinese pearls at very affordable prices. Of course, if pearls are not on your shopping list, there are also plenty of other inexpensive and interesting goods on the lower floors. If you are interested in bringing home some toys, kites, etc. for your young family members; try ToysCity, the building directly behind the main building. Bargaining is almost an art here.
Sanlitun Yashow Clothing: Five floors of virtuallyanything you might need or want, this store is a favorite with expats and visitors. If you are looking for shoes, purses, suitcases, coats, jewelry, or toys, this is the place you might want to try. Tailors can be found on the third floor. Bargaining is expected here.
Liulichang: A charming street, with the feel of old Beijing, Liulichang is lined with clusters of antiques, art, books, and calligraphy stores. Less crowded and more relaxed than many other shopping areas, Liulichang is a great place to wander through its curio shops, ink and brush stores, and art studios. Bargaining is necessary, but more laid-back than many other markets.
Wangfujing Street: Essentially Downtown Beijing, this is Beijing's premier shopping street. A short walk from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Wangfujing is a pedestrian-only shopping street. Definitely a favorite with locals and tourists alike: it is a mixture of large, Western-style malls, full of shopping opportunities, and smaller, traditional stores. It might be considered a shoppers' heaven. Not a place to bargain, it is still a great place to stroll, window-shop, eat, and people watch. Try Donganmen Night Market for a look at or taste of some exotic snacks.
New Qianmen Market: Qianmen Dajie is the oldest traditional market street in Beijing and is located directly south of Tian'anmen Square and Qianmen Gate. Renovated for the Olympics, Qianmen Market Street (Qianmen Dajie) has a history of over 500 years. An east-west lane opening on the western side of Qianmen is the famous Dashilan Jie. Many of the shops here are hundreds of years old, and are a good place to shop for silk, Chinese medicine, and other traditional Chinese goods. Consider eating at one of the famous, old restaurants.
