Beijing Shopping, Beijing Stores, Shops, Markets, Shopping Malls

Shopping

Local Products Shopping Areas Distinctive Markets Shopping Malls Supermarkets

Beijing is a paradise for shopaholics. There is a large variety of items from elsewhere in China and abroad. Many emporiums and designated tourist shopping centers have foreign currency exchange counters and accept major credit cards.

This city has plenty of local products too. There are eight matchless local handcrafts, cloisonne (景泰蓝), ceramic (陶器), ivory carvings (牙雕), seal-engraving (手刻印章), carved lacquer ware (雕漆), jade carvings (玉雕), gold filigree (金漆镶嵌), filigree inlay (花丝镶嵌), palace carpet (宫毯) and imperial embroidery (宫绣). Other notable ones include inside painting snuff bottle (内画壶, 鼻烟壶), palace lanterns (宫灯), dough figurines (捏面人), Chinese silk especially silk flowers (绢花), facial masks (脸谱), Beijing Opera instruments and Chinese tea.

Modern Beijing offers many shopping opportunities. There are many supermarkets, shopping malls, shopping areas and distinctive markets. For day to day items, supermarkets are well stocked. Shopping malls in China, to some extent, cater for the high end of the market. Large shopping malls in clusters form shopping areas, some of which are in fact commercial streets.

Some shopping areas and distinctive markets are not only places to go shopping, but also meccas for sightseeing. Silk Street (秀水街) is extremely popular with foreign visitors where almost anything may be found. If you are not in a hurry, a visit to Wangfujing Street (王府井大街), the Qianmen-Dashilan (前门-大栅栏), and Liulichang Cultural Street (琉璃厂文化街) is a great way to learn the local culture. The distinctive markets in Beijing, such as Beijing Curio City (北京古玩城), Panjiayuan Market (潘家园旧货市场) and Hongqiao Market (红桥市场) are popular with overseas visitors.

Bargaining is a routine in China when shopping, with the exception, of course, of supermarkets, department stores and exclusive shops. In China, bargaining is neither a quarrel nor a face-losing act, but instead a friendly communication. Remember: vendors always overcharge, allowing a wide scope for you to haggle.

Comments and Questions

i m interested to have a custom made "xipau"-lady's cheongsam. where should I go and how much is the charges?

Reply12/3/2009 11:21:00 PMSK , Malaysia

Robert ( France ) :12/4/2009 8:26:00 PM

What do you mean by ' "xipau"-lady's cheongsam'?

i want good quality digital camera shopping. pls. you advice me where the exact place.

Reply11/26/2009 6:27:00 AMbasheer

Daniel ( Australia ) :11/27/2009 2:36:00 AM

Zhongguancun is a good choice.

Hi, I just want to know where where is the best place for shopping ? Cheap and nice !

Reply10/12/2009 10:26:00 PMJoan , Malaysia

Qi Yu ( China ) :10/12/2009 10:48:00 PM

If you want to buy clothes, you can go the Beijing Zoo clother market. It is the largest clothes market of Beijing, so the prices there are lower. If you would like to buy special Chinese specialty or souvenirs, you may go to the well-known Silk Street.

ThankYou very much for ur guidance to the Beijing Dance Academy. Your assistance surely save lots of my time.

Reply8/13/2009 11:13:00 AMjeli , Singapore

Tks for ur prompt reply woaibj. Where is Beijing Dance Academy? Is it near the city centre, may i have the address? Also, pls tell me which sub-way station shall I get off in order to go there?

Reply8/12/2009 11:04:00 AMjeli , Singapore

BeijingTrip.com :8/12/2009 9:40:00 PM

Beijing Dance Academy is located in Haidian District, very near the Central University for Nationalities (CUN). The most convenient way to CUN is by bus since there are many routes going there: No. 209,319,320,332,634,645,653,689,695,717,732,808,814. After you get there, you can walk to Beijing Dance Academy from the road either on the north or south side of CUN.

hey, you may get them at silk market. But i think it will be more possible to buy them from the stores near Beijing Dance Academy.

Reply8/11/2009 9:12:00 PMwoaibj , China

where can I buy chinese dancing fan? Can i get them at places like silk market or pearl market?

Reply8/11/2009 10:44:00 AMjeli , Singapore

hi, you may go to Xidan Shopping Mall, Beijing Zoo Clothing Wholesale Market or the Silk Street.

Reply7/20/2009 11:13:00 PMBeijingren , China

Hi,

Myself with my team are visiting Beijing next week.Pls recommend the goods/market where we can get general shopping items economically.
Your prompt response is awaited.

Regards,
Naeem

Reply7/20/2009 3:03:00 AMNaeem , Pakistan

Hi I wanted to purchase 2 of the larger size panoramic posters of great wall of china. I originally purchased this at the Mutianyu entrance. The poster is jinshan ling by gao heping. My poster got ruined in the framing process. I want to buy 2 more>> could someone ship them to me?

Reply7/5/2009 12:21:00 AMMaureen , United States

Hi, you may go to the Liulichang Culture Street or the Panjiayuan Market where the prices of writting brushes are low.

Reply5/30/2009Beijingman , China

My husband is in Beijing And I want him to buy bone writting brushs for me. Can you send me a cheap adress to buy this? Thank you JUNIA

Reply5/25/2009 4:16:00 PMJunia , Brazil