Beijing Shopping

Beijing has several shopping districts that offer a mind-boggling variety of goods. The traditional shopping districts have always been Wangfujing Street, Qianmen Street, Dongdan and Xidan Commercial Street, but now Jianguomen Outer Street and Chaowai Street have risen to the top in terms of carrying the latest and most luxurious items. Shopping at outdoor markets remains a not-to-be-missed experience for foreign travelers. Check out Panjiayuan Collection Street, Xiushui Street and Liulichang Street for local specialties such as cloisonné, ivory carvings, jade pieces, lacquer carvings, antiques and fresh water pearls.

China Highlights tours offer unbeatable value for money, with no forced shopping trips.

1. Souvenirs

1) Inside Painting Snuff Bottle 内画鼻烟壶

Inside Painting Snuff Bottle. The inside painting snuff bottle is a traditional Chinese handicraft with a history of about 200 years. It is popular in China and abroad for its unique workmanship and exquisite artistic value. Reportedly, snuffing tobacco was introduced into China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the snuff bottle represents a combination of Chinese and foreign cultures. The snuff bottle is not only a container for tobacco but also a sort of art collection for wealthy businessmen and influential officials. The inside painting snuff bottle is made of special materials, such as jade, and has a unique shape. Most of the inside paintings are Chinese paintings, and feature vivid pictures, simple colors and elegant layouts, giving the inside painting snuff bottle great artistic and collection value. Moreover, the bottle also reflects Chinese tobacco culture, and represents a historical source for tobacco culture research.

Recommended Shopping Places

1. AIKA International Collections Exchange Market 爱家国际收藏品交流市场
Location: No. 31 West Road North Third Ring, Haidian District, Beijing 北京市海淀区北三环西路31号
2. Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货（古玩）市场
Location: 18 Huaweili, Chaoyang District朝阳区华威里18号
Tel: 010-67741869
Open Time: 08:30-16:30
Transportation: Take city bus no. 36, 51, 64, 713 or 802 and get off at Huaweixili or Panjiayuan Station.

2) Eight Treasures Inkpad 八宝印泥

he Eight Treasures Inkpad has retained all of the characteristics of ancient Chinese inkpads. It features bright and unbleached colors and clear prints, and is fire and sunlight proof. The Eight Treasures Inkpad is made from musk, plum, cinnabar, vermillion hue, natural jade and oils that have been preserved for many years. After stirring and grinding, moxa punk is added. The entire process consists of around 30 working procedures, and after sitting for 6-10 months, the Eight Treasures Inkpad is finished. It has a variety of usages, including signing important contracts and historical records. It is also a must-have for painters and calligraphers.

Recommended Shopping Place

Beijing Glass Ancient Culture Street
Location: South Side of Peace Gate Xuanwu District Beijing 北京市宣武区和平门南侧
Tel: 010-63017989
Open Time: 09:00—18:30
Transportation: Take city bus no. 14, 15, 16, 25 or 45 and get off at Glass Street Station. In addition, tourists can also take subway line 2 and get off at the Peace Gate Station.

3) Beijing Dough Toy 北京面人

Beijing Dough Toy. The Beijing Dough Toy originated from folk society. It became popular in the beginning of the 21st century. It is a traditional Chinese folk handicraft, and is known as Dough Figure. Of high artistic value, the dough toy is made of flour and sweet rice flour, and has high artistic value. With a small bamboo knife, the artist can make dough shaped as people and animals in a short time. Among these figures are beautiful princesses, adorable children and various historical people. The dough toy is small in shape and easily carried and preserved, making it one of the best souvenirs for tourists. What is more, tourists can learn how the dough toy is made, and are attracted to this lively toy and the proficient skills of the handicraftsmen. The Beijing Dough Toy can be compared with Chinese Sculpture Art. As it is an ancient handicraft, tourists can find them at temple fairs during the Spring Festival.

Recommended Shopping Place

Ancient Beijing Street 老北京一条街
Location: Floor B1, New Dong’an Market, No.138, Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing 北京市东城区王府井大街138号新东安市场B1层
Tel: (010)58176688
Open Time: 09:00—21:30
Transportation: Tourists can take subway line 1 and get off at Wangfujing Station, which has a direct exit to the market. Tourists can also take the city bus and get off at Dongdan Station, Dengshikou Station or Wangfujing West Station.

4) Cloisonné 景泰蓝

Cloisonné is a unique traditional handicraft of Beijing and famous for its blue glaze. It can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty and became popular during the Ming Dynasty. Beijing is the origin of the technique of cloisonné. Currently, the oldest cloisonné was made during the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of about 1,000 years. As for the production procedure, red copper is used to make the body, and then a flat, thin copper wire lays out the paintings on the body. After that, colorful enamel materials are used to fill in the painting, and then the next procedures are firing and polishing. One piece of cloisonné represents a collection of the production procedure for red copper, porcelain, and traditional paintings and sculptures. It can be said that the cloisonné is a collection of all exquisite traditional Chinese handicrafts.

Since Beijing is the origin of the cloisonné, it can be bought in every small- and medium-size shop in the city. Cloisonné products range from temple tablets, hall screens, chairs to chopsticks, earrings and toothpick holders.

Recommended Shops

1. Enamel Factory 珐琅厂
Location: No. 10, Anlelin Road, Chongwen District 崇文区安乐林路10号
Transportation: Tourists can take city bus line 7, 610, 803 or Yuntong 102 and get off at Liulijing Station. Or tourists can take 986 or Yuntong 202 and get off at Anlelin station.
2. Other Shops: Gongmei Building at Wangfujing (王府井的工美大厦): Take subway line 1 and get off at Wangfujing Station. Xiushui Street (秀水街): Take subway line 1 and get off at Yong’anli station. Yaxiu at Sanlitun (三里屯雅秀): Take subway line 10 and get off at Tuanjiehu Station.

2. Antique Markets

1) Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货（古玩）市场

Location: No.18, Huaweili, Chaoyang District 朝阳区华威里18号
Tel: 010-67741869
Open Time: 08:30-16:30
Transportation: Take city bus no. 36, 51, 64, 713 or 802 and get off at Huaweixili or Panjiayuan Station.
Panjiayuan Antique Market is located southwest of Panjiayuan Bridge, South Road, East Third Ring, Beijing. It is the largest antique market in China, and the cheapest antique market in Beijing. As the most popular antique market, shops run everyday. Panjiayuan Antique Market covers an area of 48,500 square meters and contains six business zones: the stall zone, the ancient building zone, the ancient furniture zone, the modern collection zone, the stone sculpture zone and the restaurant zone. Here in Panjiayuan Antique Market, tourists can find various collections, such as antique furniture, four treasures in the study, ancient paintings and books, jade, porcelain, ancient and foreign money, bamboo carvings, Buddhist keepsakes, folk clothes and cultural relics.

2) Beijing Curio City 北京古玩城

Location: West side of Huawei Bridge, No. 21, South Road, East Third Ring, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东三环南路21号华威桥西侧
Tel: 010-67747711
Open Time: 9:30--18:30
Transportation: Tourists can take city bus line 28, 51, 300, 352, 386,378, 730, 830 or 810 and get off at Huawei Bridge or Zuo’an Station.
Beijing Antique Street is the largest antique exchange center in Asia, and it is a paradise for collectors and antique lovers. It is also an art hall for Chinese and foreign tourists to enjoy Chinese culture. On the streets are many shops focused on antique deals. Beijing Antique Street covers a building area of 26,400 square meters and holds more than 600 traders, mainly selling ancient furniture, clocks, carpets, ancient porcelain, calligraphy and paintings of famous people, jade sculptures, etc. Beijing Antique Street holds the top ten antiques, which are white jade, crystal decorations, Shoushan stone carvings, snuff bottles, ancient carpets, bronze Buddha sculptures, clocks, porcelain, Tibetan cultural relics and folk clothes.

3) Liulichang Ancient Cultural Street 琉璃厂古文化街

Location: South side of Peace Gate, Xuanwu District, Beijing
Tel: 010-63017989
Open Time: 09:00—18:30
Transportation: Tourists can take city bus no. 14, 15, 16, 25 or 45 and get off at Liulichang Station. Tourists can also take subway line 2 and get off at Peace Gate Station.
The Glass Street is located at Peace Gate and is around 800 meters long. As a famous traditional cultural street, it originated during Qing Dynasty. At that time, people from all over the country gathered here and attended the imperial exams. Most shops sell books and writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and ink stones. Year after year, the street became an exchange center for cultural products, and is named after a plant that produces glazed tiles.
Presently, there are around 100 shops, such as the Rongbao Room and the Baogu Room, and most of them mainly sell ancient paintings and calligraphy. The Yungu Room and the Huizhen Room sell stone sculptures and porcelain. As for the four treasures in the study, there are the Laixun Room and the Yide Room, while the Zhenhuan Room and the Zhenyun Room sell jewelry. As for musical instruments, there are the Lehai Room and the Guyi Room and stone inscriptions are sold in the Guanfu Room and the Qingyun Room. Moreover, the Wensheng Room is for lanterns, and the Jinchang Room is for carpets and wall carpets.

3. Beijing Characteristic Shops

1) Ruifuxiang (Silk Clothes Shop) 瑞蚨祥

Ruifuxiang (Silk Clothes Shop). Beijing’s Ruifuxiang Silk Clothes Shop opened in 1893, mainly selling silk, wool fabric, cotton cloth, fur and Chinese style clothes (Chinese gown). Customized clothes are the traditional characteristic of Ruifuxiang. Here, tourists can choose the materials and wait for the clothing to be made. The clothes here are famous for their materials, great tailoring and exquisite frogs.
Open Time: 09:00–21:00
Location: No. 5, Dashilan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Tel: 010-63035764
Transportation: Tourists can take city bus line 1, 4, 10, 104 or 803 and get off at Wangfujing Street.

2) Shengxifu (Hatter Shop) 盛锡福

Shengxifu Hatter’s Shop at Wangfujing Avenue is one of the most famous shops in Beijing. It opened in 1911 and is famous for its hats. Many famous people have supposedly ordered hats here, including Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou. Currently, Shengxifu not only focuses on the domestic market, but also sell hats to the U.S., Germany, France, Canada and Singapore.
Location: No. 180, Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng District 东城区王府井大街180号
Open Time: 09:00–21:00
Tel: 010-64079375
Subway Line: Tourists can take subway line 1 and get off at Wangfujing station.

3) Neiliansheng Shoe Store 内联升

Neiliansheng Shoe Store. Neiliansheng Shoe Store was founded in 1853 by Zhao Ting. At that time, Neiliansheng was the shoe store that made shoes for officials. The Chinese character “Nei” stands for the government while “Liansheng” means “getting promotions”. Therefore, all officials wear “Neiliansheng” shoes as a way to pray to get a promotion, and is how the shoe store got its name. Neiliansheng Shoe Store is famous for its cloth shoe, and it is currently the largest handmade shoe-making company in China. Its customers are high-grade consumers and its headquarters, which covers 1,700 square meters, has a Qing Dynasty style layout. The yellow tile and red pillar remind people of the image of a bustling ancient shop.
Location: No. 34, Dashilan Street, Xuanwu District 宣武区大栅栏街34号
Open Time: 09:00–21:00
Tel: 010-63013041
Transportation: Tourists can take city bus line 1, 4, 10, 104 or 803 and get off at Wangfujing Station.

4. Chinese Medicine

1) Beijing Tongrentang 北京同仁堂

Beijing Tongrentang. Tongrentang, founded in 1669, is the most famous drug store in China. Since 1723, Tongrentang has been the official drug store for the government, and it is famous for its medicines. In 2006, Tongrentang Chinese Medicine Culture was on the China Nonmaterial Cultural Heritage list.
Location: No. 52, Xinglong Street, Dongcheng District 东城区东兴隆街52号
Tel: 010-63022678

2) Henian Drug Store 鹤年堂

Beijing Henian Drug Store was built in 1405 and has a history of several hundred years. It has wonderfully maintained Chinese health culture. Its characteristic products include medical liquors, dew drinks, regimen teas, herbal cuisine, medical porridge and ginseng products. Presently, the Henian Drug Store is a protection unit for the Chinese Non-material Cultural Heritage.
Location: No.43-1, Changnei Street, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-63010118
Transportation: Tourists can take bus no. 102, 105, 204, 724, 109 or 603 and get off at Caishikou station. They can also take subway line 2 and get off at Xuanwumen Station.

3) Deshou Drug Store 德寿堂

Deshou Drug Store. Deshou Drug Store was built in 1934. During the 1930s, it became famous in Beijing. The drug store mainly sells Chinese and foreign medicine, nutritional products, medical equipment, ginseng products and other items. It also has a TCM clinic.
Location: No.175, Zhushikou West Avenue
Tel: 010-63032093

5. Major Shopping Places

1) Wangfujin Business Center 王府井商业圈
Location: Stretching from Beijing Art Gallery in the north to Chang’an Street in the south
Recommended Stores: Beijing Department Store, New Dong’an Bazaar and several time-honored Chinese brands
Transportation: Take buses 103, 104 and 420 or subway line 1 and get off at Wangfujin Stop

2) Xidan Business Center 西单商业圈
Beijing Xidan Shopping Center is located on bustling Xidan commercial street, a famous center with 70 years of history. This market covers a range of price levels by providing middle and high quality commodities. Many new shops like Xidan Shopping Center, Xidan Bazaar, Chung-Yo Department Store and Huanan Mansion have recently been established. Many world-famous, name-brand products are available, reflecting Beijing's growing cosmopolitan presence and making Xidan a paradise for shoppers.
Location: Stretching from Gangwashi in the north to Xidan Crossing in the south
Recommended Stores:Zhongyou Department Store, Xidan Bzaar and Juntai Department Store, and so on
Transportation: Take buses 22, 37, 47, 105, 109 and 826 or subway line 1 and get off at Xidan Stop

3) Qianmen Street 前门大街
Qianmen Street is located to the south of Tiananmen Square. Beijing’s original commercial center for 600 years ago; today, it largely deals in Chinese traditional products. With urban development under the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qianmen Street was enlarged by a number of markets, halls and evolved into a major shopping and entertainment-based commercial district. Quanjude, Pianyifang, Ruifuxiang, Tong Ren Tang, Dongyichu established shops which became what is now a century-old cultural circle.
After a renovation in 2008, the stores are now lined up side by side in the style of the Hutong. This is a good place for nice souvenirs, such as stone or jade stamps carved with your name. The Lao She Teahouse is located to the west of Qianmen Street, and is a good place to sample Chinese teas, read or watch a traditional show.
Location: Stretching from Zhengyang Gate in the north to Tiantan Road in the south
Transportation: Take buses 17, 22 and 120 or subway line 2 and get off at Qainmen Stop

4) Xiushui Street 秀水街
Xiushui Street has a silk market (open 9am to 9pm) replete with some of the finest silk products, as well as an amazing array of name-brand clothes and bags, such as Reebok, Adidas and Gucci. However, very few of these top labels are the real thing despite their uncanny resemblance. This is probably why serious shoppers usually avoid this market, but there are still a lot of interesting things to see and to do here. The fun of the place may not come from searching for the perfect bag or best shirt, but it comes from the haggling. Haggling may yield a feeling of accomplishment when you purchase an item at maybe 30 percent of the original price. “No price is fixed” is the golden rule here. The more you haggle, the better price you may get. Xiushui Street is the one of the few places in Beijing where foreigners can purchase clothes and shoes in large sizes.
Location: Chaoyang District

5) Solana Shopping Mall 蓝色港湾国际商区
Shopping, restaurants, bars and so on are all available here. Solana Shopping Mall is also a nice place to pass leisure time. Products sold here are middle and high grade.
Address: 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Road, Chaoyang District (朝阳区朝阳公园路6号)
Tel: 010-5905 6666
Average price per person: 332 yuan

6) Shin Kong Place Department Store 新光天地
This store offers various luxurious brands in a nice environment and with considerate services (there is a place for resting with coffee on every story). Products for eating, dressing and daily using are all available here.
Address:Huamao Center, 87 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District (朝阳区建国路87号华贸中心)
Tel: 010-6530 5888
Average price per person: 1,615 yuan

7) Dongfang Xintiandi 东方新天地
This store offers many famous clothing brands, both domestic and from abroad, and the building is a landmark in Wangfujin. In addition to shopping, visitors also can relish delicious food, watch movies and so on.
Address: Dangfang Square, 1 Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District (东城区东长安街1号东方广场)
Tel: 010-8518 6363
Average price per person: 642 yuan

8) Sanlitun Village 三里屯
Flagship stores for many famous brands are set in Sanlitun Village, especially sports brands. It is very popular among Beijing young people as well as foreign friends in Beijing.
Address: 19 North Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District (朝阳区三里屯北路19号)
Tel: 010-6417 6110
Average price per person: 417 yuan

8) Yaxiu Clothes Market (Sanlitun Road)
This four-floor store offers Chinese clothing in various styles and colors. Ruifuxiang, a famous shop selling qipaos (traditional Chinese dresses) is located on the third floor. They have many traditional silk products on sale, and you can have your qipao tailor-made to your special requirements.
Address: 58 North Gongti Road, Chaoyang District (朝阳区工体北路58号)
Tel: 010-6416 8945 / 6415 1726
Average price per person: 167 yuan

9) Silver Street 银街
The 2.7 kilometer (1.7 mile) long Silver Street is located in Dongdan Beidajie (东单北大街). The number of shops on Silver Street seems countless. The range includes clothing stores, jewelry stores, household goods stores, beverage stores, bakeries, restaurants, cinemas, hair salons, wedding photo studios and so on. Each is different in some respect, and it is a pleasure just walking down the street to window-shop. The area also features specialist traditional handicrafts such as cloisonnés, bronzes, paintings and carvings. Another famous handicraft, snuff bottles, can also be found on Silver Street. Genuine snuff bottles from the Qing period are a desirable target for serious collectors and museums.

6. Shopping Place for Computers and Electronic Products

Zhongguancun High-Tech Center 中关村科贸电子城
Known as "China's Silicon Valley", Zhongguancun is Beijing's high-tech center because of its many universities and IT-based companies. Many markets sell every kind of computer part that you can imagine. The Zhonghai electronic market sells used computers, parts and notebooks, and second-hand parts sell at low prices if you do not require the latest model. In addition, many markets offer reasonably priced computer repair services.
Address: 18 Zhongguancun Street, Handian District (海淀区中关村大街18号)
Tel: 010-8253 6688

7. Shopping Place for Tea

Maliandao Tea City 马连道茶城
The tea city’s real name is Maliandao and is in the southwestern part of Beijing. The street specializes in anything associated with tea, including teacups, teapots and tables and, of course, many different types of tea. The two most popular indoor markets are a newly built market in the southern part of the street and another market called Maliandao Tea City or Tea Joy Market. Tea City is a four-story building with three floors reserved for tea. You can find DV cameras, SLR cameras and other photo-related goods on the fourth floor.
Address: 11 Maliandao Road, Xuanwu District (宣武区马连道路11号)
Average price per person: 199 yuan

8. Book Stores

Beijing Xinhua Book Store: Wangfujing Branch: 218, Wangfujing Street (south end), Dongcheng District.
Beijing Book City: 17 Chang'an Street, Xicheng District.
Beijing Wangfujing Foreign Language Book Store: 235 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District.

9. Shopping Place for Flowers

1. Hongqiao Market 虹桥市场
Beijing Hongqiao Market is located in the south central area of Beijing, just east of the Temple of Heaven. It is an indoor mall with a seafood market in the basement, and is about three floors up. It is filled mainly with cheap electronic goods like portable CD players, VCD players, camcorders, batteries, sunglasses, electronics and household phones. The items for sale tend to be from real "no-name" brands of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai companies that do not try to cater to brand-conscious consumers.

2. Beijing LaiTai Flower Trade Center 莱太花卉
Founded on April 18, 1998, Beijing LaiTai Flower & Plant Co., LTD covers 55,000 square meters, and it includes Beijing LaiTai flower shopping mall, LaiTai flower auction center and LaiTai Flower Street. It is the largest northern flower gathering and spreading center, and offers multiple services including wholesale flowers, retail flowers, export-Import businesses, domestic staple trade, and flower auctions, among others.
Address: 9 West Maizidian Street, Chaoyang District (朝阳区麦子店西街9号)
Tel: 010-6463 6554