What to Buy
Beijing Craftworks
Beijing Local Products
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 Streets
A 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 Dongsi
Some featured business streets:
Hongqiao Pearl Market, Xiushui (Silk) Street, Other Pedestrian Streets
Antique Markets
To 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 Stores
Large-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 Stores
Some 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.
Supermarkets
Many large international and national supermarkets established their chain shops in Beijing, including Wal-mart, Metro, Watsons, Carrefour, Auchan, Lotus Supercenter and Century Mart.
Wholesale Markets
For 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.
Bookstores
Books 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.

Q & A on Beijing Shopping
1.
Feb. 8,2010 01:22 Reply
Mrs.Nor(Malaysia) said:
Hi...i'll be visiting Beijing for a week 6-12 March2010. What will the weather be at that time?
Where can i shop for:
-- original branded items (bags,shoes & blouses) with remarkably discounted price (very low prices as compared to the ori price)?
-- fake Class AAA branded items ?
and what is the best of Beijing in that period of time that I should not miss?
thanks for any info ..really appreciate it.. :)
2.
Feb. 6,2010 06:44 Reply
Ms.Brown(USA) said:
Hi, I'm going to Beijing in a couple of weeks and would like to buy a netbook while I'm there. I would like Lenovo or another major brand. Can you tell me approximately how much I should expect to pay? Also, can you suggest a good market for buying netbooks? Xie xie!
3.
Jan. 21,2010 13:39 Reply
Mr.Faizan(India) said:
i would like to know how does one go to Tahunman or Tahunban wholesale clothes market i am not sure of the name,had been there once, many 7 storied building selling all clothes in wholesale
4.
Jan. 11,2010 02:28 Reply
Ms.cara(mng) said:
hello. Im going to beijing with my daughter in end january ,in my country doctors can't diagnosis .anyone can suggest me the best children's hospital in beijing. but not a small one maybe national children hospital or international hospital would be fine.also i would like to know which hospital is the foreigners who live in beijing goes.please please tnx
Jan. 11,2010 19:00
Ms.KAYE(China) replied:
New Century International Children's Hospital (NCICH) , which is located at No.56 Nanlishi Road, Xicheng District, Xidan Financial Street. This is the international hospital for foreigners.
Jan. 13,2010 23:16
Ms.cara(mng) replied:
tnx Ms kaye. what about local children. which hospitals do they usually goes? tnx
Jan. 14,2010 01:39
Mr.Shan replied:
Hello Cara, you could find the hospitals' list on this page: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/hospital.htm
5.
Jan. 12,2010 06:20 Reply
Mr.Amir(Iran) said:
Hello
What time do the shopping centers open and close during the day?
are the shopping centers open at saturday and sunday?
thanks
Jan. 12,2010 19:48
Ms.KAYE(China) replied:
The opening and closing time is from 9:30 to 21:30. Most shopping centers open every day.