Shopping in Beijing

Beijing is a fantastic city with awe inspiring history, stimulating culture and captivating scenery that leaves your eyes longing for more. This really is a city of captivating juxtapositions of both old and new. Experience the truly authentic atmosphere and if you have a real appetite, not just for the local cuisine but for the endless shopping delights you wont be disappointed. 

Bargains in Beijing:

Shopping in Beijing is becoming more convenient by the day. Every year new shopping centres and plazas are sprouting up all over the capital. Just a few years ago there were only a few department stores and small bazaars, but now there are many superstores, mega-malls and markets where you can buy just about anything you need.

There is a vast selection of places to shop in order to feed your shopping craving in this capital city. The most famous commercial area is Wangfujing, which is located at the northern side of Chang’an East Street. This street is less than one kilometre long, but is crowded with speciality shops, which offer a modern atmosphere and high taste.

If you are looking for the crème-de-la-crème of designer chic then you should take a stroll down Silver Street. Located in the Dongdan Beidajie and known as the vain of fashion, this street presents well known brand names with a combination of tradition and modern - with a mix of simplicity and trend.

The third best known visitor destination in Beijing after the Great Wall and the Forbidden City is The Silk Market, “The Chinese Silk Street, the World Brand”. You will find everything you could even want in this seven story building, which includes everything from food courts, supermarkets, men’s and ladies fashion, kids clothing to bedding, jewellery, cosmetics and much more.  As you would expect from the name, the Silk Street is full of the beautiful silk products like; pyjamas, robes, shirts, scarves as well as the textiles; cashmere scarves, clothes of all types, tablecloths, etc. and handcrafts. As expected the Silk Street has much more to offer than just silk.

Besides being famous for its Bar street, Sanlitun is also well-known for its free market (The Sanlitun Market). During the daytime, the side of the street across from all of the bars is lined with stalls selling mostly clothing. The good thing about this market as compared to department stores is that you can bargain for the price that you want.

If you really want to put your bargaining to the test you should explore Liulichang Culture Street, just a few minutes' walk from the south of Hepingmen Subway Station, is a great place for shopping in terms of both variety and atmosphere. Shops are open from 9am to 6pm. The street is thought to have originated in the Qing Dynasty, which is evidenced by the ancient wooden architecture lining both sides of the street. Products sold here include jewellery, antiques, ancient calligraphy and paintings. So delve into this exciting cosmopolitan city bursting with shopping possibilities- providing the perfect shoppers heaven.

A City of Yin and Yang:

The metropolis of Beijing is ever-changing with construction cranes ruling the horizon, new hotels, shopping malls and commercial plazas are springing up at a frivolous speed and old sectors of the city are being razed and modernised.

However even with all this in mind Beijing’s nightlife is becoming vaster. Nightclubs cater for a chic and affluent clientele with the ever growing number of visitors. The most popular bar area is Sanlitun, in the northeast of the city. However new bar districts are opening up all the time, particularly in Chaoynag District near Workers' Stadium, the lakeside area of Houhai, and along Lotus Lane on the northern bank of the Ba River. Most bars open until about midnight but are liveliest around 10pm.

So put your party shoes on and experience what this vibrant flourishing city has to offer.

- K.J.N -