Beijing Shopping
What to Buy
As the capital city of the Five Dynasties of China, Beijing has a history of over thousands of years. It was known as a metropolis with developed businesses and a prosperous economy since ancient times. Many skillful craftsmen settled the area long ago, and passed down their excellent skills generation by generation. We can still find the traditional handcrafts with typical eastern features in the many business streets and markets. Cloisonné, Ivory Carving, Jade and Lacquer are known as the four best traditional handiworks of Beijing. In addition, Curios, Silk, Pearls, Snuff Bottles with Pictures Inside, and Artificial Flowers are also worth buying and well liked by tourists. Candied Fruits and confectionaries of all kinds will make your mouth water, and are wonderful presents for friends. Where to Buy
Commercial StreetsA visitor will also find many large and middle sized shopping complexes scattered about the city. Just flow along with the flocks to pedestrian streets and experience the authentic atmosphere of Beijing.
Four largest business zones in Beijing: Wangfujing Dajie, Qianmen, Xidan Commercial Street and DongsiSome featured business streets: Hongqiao Pearl Market, Xiushui (Silk) Street, Other Pedestrian Streets
Antique MarketsTo buy traditional handicrafts with typical eastern or Beijing features, visitorscan have a try in those antique markets.
Liulichang Cultural Street :a famous antique market since extremely long
Department StoresLarge-scaled shopping malls with luxury goods of super brands are everywhere to be found in the city center, such as Beijing Friendship Store, Shin Kong Palace, Lufthansa Center and Parkson.
Feature StoresSome feature shops of hundreds years are really worth visiting. For example, silk shop Rui Fu Xiang was opened in 1893, shoe stores Nei Lian Sheng began 150 years ago. Prints of old Beijing are still visible through these time-honored brand shops.
SupermarketsMany large international and national supermarkets established their chain shops in Beijing, including Wal-mart, Metro, Watsons, Carrefour, Auchan, Lotus Supercenter and Century Mart.
Wholesale MarketsFor notions and other small commodities, relatively cheap wholesale markets are best choices if you mind the price rather than clamor and bargaining, where costumes and shoes, electronic and digital products tea or flowers all can be found.
BookstoresBooks are another important way to know more about the city, the country and a perfect means to spend their free times. Famous and authentic bookstores in Beijing will offer help to foreign buyers to find what they want more easily.
Tips: The summer hours for most Beijing shopping malls are 08:30 - 21:30; in winter they are closed either a half or one hour earlier than in summer. All the emporia, hotels and large restaurants in city center and Tourism Appointed Stores have foreign exchange counters and ATM. Credit cards (including Visa, MasterCard, AE, Dinersclub and JCB) are also acceptable there. Bringing some cash is always necessary in the event that you'd like to buy something from the street vendors.
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Travelers' Voices on Shopping in Beijing
1.
Jul. 2,2009 05:48 Reply
Mr.Amar(India) said:
am visiting Beijing in 2nd week July, would like to buy digital camera (not very expensive), last time I saw it in Silk Market but it was expensive and was looking fake. Also want to buy 3G mobile phone.
Jul. 4,2009 01:08
Mr.Jamie replied:
You should go to these digital products department stores in Zhongguancun, Beijing. Various kinds of products for your choice.
2.
Jun. 28,2009 05:20 Reply
Ms.Maya(Japan) said:
We are staying in Park Plaza in Beijing, where is the best place to buy soprts goods, shoes from brands?
and we are strictly vegetrian, do you know good restaurants that we can eat?
Do you know " Lotuos Green " restaurant?
thank you very much,
Maya
Jun. 28,2009 22:11
Mr.Qi replied:
I do not know Lotuos Green.
As to vegetarian restaurant, I recommend Pure Lotus, Biteapitta and Lotus in Moonlight.
for brnad sport goods, I know some discount shops which are popular.
Shangping Discount Store, 5/F, Gongmei Emporium, Wangfujing
Faya Sports, 28, Zaojunmiao Lu, Haidian District
Nike Factory Store, 11, Maliandai Lu, Xuanwu District (opposite the Carrefour)
Hope it helps.
3.
Jun. 28,2009 06:54 Reply
Mr.Prasad(India) said:
I Prasad,Indian visit Bejing in July, I want Electronic components and electronic meters,computer Where I purchase all this ? Email alfaelectronics@yahoo.co.in
Jun. 28,2009 22:04
Mr.Qi replied:
Zhongguancun. This is an electronic hi-tech street. I believe you can find all you want there.
4.
Jun. 9,2009 05:36 Reply
Mrs.veronique(Sweden) said:
coming to Peking in August. could anyone tell me where to buy pearls at a good price ?
Jun. 10,2009 02:52
Ms.Meng replied:
Hi, you may go to the Hong Qiao Pearl Market. There you could find pearls and pearl products in different quality, of course having different price. please sure that you have already know how to distinguish the pearls' quality~
Jun. 23,2009 23:38
Ms.green(usa) replied:
go to pearl market top floor (4th floor) a corner store - kelly tong- she is fair and i have had items appraised backi n us- her people will create anything
5.
Jun. 23,2009 09:30 Reply
Mr.Sanina Shen(USA) said:
I will visit Beijing & Xian at end of this month.
Is there any sport equipment store that I can buy fencing equipment?
北京哪里有卖击剑设备- 佩剑金属衣?
Jun. 23,2009 22:45
Mr.Qi replied:
Hi. You can buy at fencing clubs, such Sunny fencing club or Dans fencing club. :)
6.
Jun. 21,2009 12:44 Reply
Ms.ashley(USA) said:
i will be visiting beijing in september iam looking forward to buy gem stones ,typical chinese soft shoes and chinese silk can anybody help me from where i can get these authnetic chinese items please send me exact shops with their full address.
thank u
Jun. 23,2009 01:59
Mr.yina(cn) replied:
You can buy the typical chinese shoes in Neiliansheng. The website of the company is http://www.nlsxy.com/introen.asp
It is quite famous and you can ask a pair of tailor-made shoe there. As for the silk, you can see the silk in Ruifuxiang, this is the contact of this company:
telephone:010-63035764
fax:010-63041702
QQ:503086189
MSN:ruifuxiang@msn.cn
email:rfx@ruifuxiang.cn
For the gem stone, i think you can go to Panjiayuan where you can find lots of authnetic chinese items.
7.
Jun. 19,2009 21:56 Reply
Mr.wleed(china) said:
i am searching for wholesale mobile market in beijing if anyone knows that,please tell me....my email is rjwaleedraza@yahoo.com
Jun. 20,2009 02:37
Mr.Tom replied:
Hi, you could go to Zhongguancun and Muxiyuan. Please be carefil of the fake mobile in Muxiyuan.
8.
Jun. 18,2009 08:26 Reply
Ms.Nas(SA) said:
Hi
looking for cheap brand clothing in beijing, such as ed hardy, puma, diesel, etc
Jun. 19,2009 02:34
Mr.Hank replied:
Hi, haven't found Ed Hardy in Beijing. For other two, you may have a try in these department stores:
Puma & MIIOW-> World Trade Plaza: Dongdaqiao Rd.
DIESEL-> Capital Times Square: 88, West Chang'an Avenue
Oriental New World: 1, East Chang'an Avenue
Shin Kong Place: 87, Jianguo Rd., Chaoyang District
9.
Jun. 11,2009 04:08 Reply
Ms.Veronique gabrielsson(Sweden) said:
anyone to tell me where to buy quality leather handbag copies at a good price ?
Could anyone recommend a good, nice, clean hotel at a fair price ?
Jun. 12,2009 03:41
Ms.Shirley replied:
You many have a try at the Silk Market or Hong Qiao Wholesale Market. Well, be good at bargaining is important!
As for hotel, I think you could stay at one of the economical chain hotels such as Home Inn, Jinjiang Inns, V8, Motel. And, here is a Beijing hotel list:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/beijing-hotels.htm
Jun. 16,2009 04:05
Ms.vronique(Sweden) replied:
Dear Shirley
thank you for your suggestions.
10.
May. 30,2009 04:27 Reply
Mrs.samane(iran) said:
HI,
I want to know what is the best place to buy cheap cloth and also good suitcases.
Also, I need a good market for decoration abjects.
Jun. 3,2009 02:42
Ms.Emma replied:
Suggest you go to Dahongmen at South 3rd Ring Road and there are also buildings and markets near the Zoo. I can find what you want there.
Jun. 3,2009 03:10
Ms.Zoe replied:
Most foreign travelers do like to purchase cheap cloth in the Silk Market, so famous during travelers. As for locals, they always go to the wholesale markets around Beijing Zoo, but you should be good at bargaining.
Good suitcases could be found at any stores or supermarket, such as Wal-mart, Carrefour and Lotus Supercenter.
Jun. 3,2009 22:38
Ms.WOSHI8J(China) replied:
Dear Mrs Samane,the best place of purchasing cheaper cloth and suitcase is Yiwu city,which is the biggest wholesale market in China.It is 3 hours from Shanghai by car.In case of need,plz contact me,we will help you purchasing from Yiwu. anord9411@hotmail.com anord-cai@tom.com