Where to Shop in Beijing in 2025: 8 Best Malls and Streets for Every Style

Are you planning to shop in Beijing but not sure where to start? From time-honored markets to modern fashion zones, this guide takes you through 8 of the best shopping areas in the city, each with its own style and atmosphere.

Whether you're into antiques, designer labels, handmade finds, or streetwear, there's a place here for you. Read on to find out which spots match your style, and what to expect when you get there.

• For shopping plus local snacks, stroll through Qianmen & Dashilan or Nanluoguxiang.
• For fashion and brands, head to Wangfujing, Sanlitun or Xidan.
• For affordable markets and interesting items, recommend Panjiayuan, Silk Street or Hongqiao.

1. Wangfujing Shopping Street–Good for Brands and Local Gifts

If you want an easy place to shop in downtown Beijing with both big-name brands and local picks, Wangfujing is a great fit. It's one of the city's most famous shopping streets, and very easy to reach.

If you're into fashion and youth trends, head to Beijing APM Mall. You'll find international brands like Lululemon and UR, plus the only three-story Apple Store in Asia.

For luxury labels like Gucci or Dior, check out Wangfujing Central Mall.

If you want to buy some local gifts, go to Beijing Department Store. It has traditional items like silk scarves, tea sets, and other Beijing-style souvenirs.

Beijing Department Store

A recommended shop is the Heping Pastry Bureau. You could try old-school Beijing pastries while walking through recreated 1980s scenes: bathhouses, old trains, and corner shops.

For gifts for kids or if you're traveling with kids, there's also a three-story Hamleys toy store, packed with LEGO, Disney, and more.

Since it is only a 20-minute drive from the Forbidden City, you could shop here after a visit to the palace.

2. Qianmen & Dashilan–Old Beijing Shops and Local Flavors

If you're into historic shopping streets and local brands with real Beijing flavor, Qianmen and Dashilan are worth exploring. They're right in the city center and feel slower, older, and full of character.

Qianmen and Dashilan together form Beijing's largest preserved old-town district. It's also the only planned shopping area near Tiananmen Square.

Qianmen Street is wide, with stores that have been around for over a hundred years. You could taste jasmine tea at Zhangyiyuan, browse herbal products at Tongrentang, or visit the Red Star Erguotou Museum to learn about Beijing's signature liquor.

Tongrentang

Behind Qianmen, Dashilan feels more local. The lanes are narrower, with time-honored shops like Ruifuxiang for silk, Neiliansheng for handmade cloth shoes, and Liubiju for traditional pickles. Walking here gives you a real sense of old Beijing.

Cloth shoes in Neiliansheng

Next door is Beijing Fun, a modern spot. You'll find the Starbucks Reserve Flagship Store, and a rooftop experience at the MUJI Hotel with great views of Tiananmen Square, the Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, and nearby hutongs.

You could combine this area with a visit to Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City. It's a good place to take a break, grab something to eat, and do some easy souvenir shopping with a cultural twist.

3. Nanluoguxiang–Handmade Shops and Hutong Vibes

If you're into handcrafted or design-inspired items, or just enjoy slow browsing in artistic streets, Nanluoguxiang is recommended.

Nanluoguxiang is the more famous street and often busier, with lots of small boutiques, handmade gift shops, and street snacks. At Ruoshuitang, you'll find elegant oil-paper umbrellas that make beautiful keepsakes. You could also stop by Maopao for fun postcards and magnets with a local twist.

If you want to find some low-key and less crowded shopping areas, we recommend Drum Tower East Street, just a little walk north. It's where you'll find vintage clothes, retro bags, and playful accessories. Tiger Vintage, known for its curated selection of vintage wear, is worth a stop.

We recommend combining this area with a visit to the nearby Drum Tower. From the top, you'll get a wide view over the rooftops and hutongs that give this area its charm.

4. Taikoo Li in Sanlitun–For Fashion Shoppers and Trend Seekers

If you like fashion, new designers, or just want to shop somewhere stylish and modern, Taikoo Li is one of the best places to go in Beijing. Located in Sanlitun, it's the city's most international and fashionable shopping area.

The district is split into two sections: the luxury-focused North and the more creative South.

Taikoo Li North is home to top luxury brands, with Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga each in their own eye-catching buildings. These stand-alone stores really stand out and are great for photos.

Taikoo Li South feels more casual. You'll find niche fashion labels, lifestyle boutiques, and concept stores. It's also where you'll find Beijing's largest Adidas store.

Taikoo Li in Sanlitun

Because it's all open-air, it's great for a walk, people-watching, or taking photos. For a fun photo moment, you could snap a shot with the "I'm in Beijing" sign at Sanlitun SOHO, just across the street.

If you're visiting in the evening, the atmosphere gets livelier. Bars and lounges light up, and the terrace at Migas Mercado offers great views over the district. See more on Beijing's nightlife.

5. Xidan Commercial District–Where Beijing's Youth Go to Shop

If you're curious about where young locals actually shop in Beijing, Xidan is worth checking out.

The biggest draw is Xidan Joy City, known for youth fashion and fun pop-ups. You'll find popular brands like SALOMON for stylish outdoor gear, and Jellycat for its iconic plush toys, beloved by collectors worldwide.

Just across the road, Xidan The New has more of a street-style vibe. It's great for bold streetwear and up-and-coming local designers. Check out Tagi for minimalist lifestyle goods, or head to UNI·FREE for colorful outfits and celebrity-style pieces.

Compared to Sanlitun, Xidan feels more down-to-earth and a bit more local. If you're curious about styles you won't often see outside China, or simply want to see what Beijing's trendsetters are into, this is the spot.

6. Panjiayuan Antique Market–For Treasure Hunters and Culture Lovers

If you enjoy browsing flea markets and hunting for something unique, Panjiayuan is a fun place to explore. It's Beijing's largest antique and curiosity market, and it's open every day.

The east side leans traditional, with carved beads, calligraphy tools, crystal jewelry, and walnut crafts. The west side feels younger, with retro cameras, blind boxes, fridge magnets, wooden crafts, and creative accessories.

Some people come hoping for rare finds, others just enjoy the hunt and the atmosphere. You might spot fun little things like coffee bean bracelets or mini jade "corn" trinkets.

Panjiayuan

Prices can vary quite a bit, so it's advisable to walk around first and get a general sense of what things cost. Most prices are negotiable, and you could offer the price.

We recommend visiting on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, when more vendors show up and the market is busier. It usually closes by 8 or 9 p.m., but on Wednesdays and Fridays, it stays open until 11 p.m.

Panjiayuan

7. Silk Street (Xiushui Street)–Best for Chinese-Style Clothes

Silk

If you're interested in Chinese silk and traditional costumes, Silk Street is a classic stop.

This market is known for silk scarves, handmade qipao, Tang jackets, and embroidery. Many patterns are inspired by Dunhuang murals. You could also get clothes custom-made in just a few days, often at very reasonable prices.

Some shops are run by local designers offering styles you won't see elsewhere, mixing Chinese elements with modern fashion. It's a good spot if you want something unique that shows a bit of Chinese flair.

Most shopkeepers speak English, accept credit cards, and can help with overseas shipping. Prices are flexible here, so don't be shy; bargaining is expected.

8. Hongqiao Pearl Market–For Pearl Lovers

If you love pearls, this is one of the best places in Beijing to explore Chinese craftsmanship and even design something of your own.

You'll see all kinds of pearl jewelry here, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

The third floor mainly sells freshwater pearls in different colors and designs. On the fourth floor, you'll see saltwater pearls that are finer in quality and priced higher.

If you're after something truly personal, head up to the fifth floor, where designers can help you create a custom piece to match your taste.

Most shopkeepers speak English, so you could bargain with them boldly and see what deal you can get.

After shopping, we recommend heading to the rooftop café at Guantan Art Space. You could grab a coffee and enjoy a quiet view of the nearby Temple of Heaven.