 What
to Buy in Beijing
- and where to buy it
More at:
Antiques and Specialty Items
Throughout nearly all markets in Beijing, haggling is
essential. Especially when browsing through large,
"touristy" shopping areas for common items, do not put it
beneath your dignity to start bargaining at 15% of the
vendor's initial asking price. After spending some time
haggling, never hesitate to threaten walking away, as this
is often the quickest way to see a vendor lower his or her
prices to a reasonable level. Also if you buy more then one
at a time, you need to get a better deal then buying one at
a time. So if you are with friends, try buying two silk
dresses or watches at the same time. Beware that if you
start your bargaining at too low of a price, such as 5% of
the asking price, the vendor may just immediately give up on
trying to sell the item to you. How high or low the vendor
sets the asking price depends on the customer, the vendor,
the product's popularity, and even the time of day. Vendors
also tend to target visible minorities more, such as
Caucasians or African Americans.
The true clothing market where the Chinese buy, is located
in Xizhi Men, next to the Zoo. directions: in front of the
Zoo there is a new huge building, which is just another big
market, BUT behind it, there is the wholesale market, with
the best prices, almost no need to bargain, and a lot of
genuine goods (clothing).
The Malls at Oriental Plaza - East of Tian'anmen Square,
next to Wangfujing Street. Shopping area (expensive) but
provides you with a lot of buying opportunities from
diamonds, to real (affordable) DVD's, (international) Music
CD's and food.
Wangfujing
- where many of the higher end shops are located
Xidan - West of Tiananmen square. Several large malls near a
substation, and look for the market, it's quite good -
bargaining is a must (sellers even enjoy it).
Golden Resources Shopping Mall near Yuanda Bridge / Yuanda
Road -- Located by West Fourth Ring Road (Xisihuan) in
Haidian District, Beijing, the mall covers 680.000 square
meters, the second largest in Asia. Multiple stories,
snaking alleys, infinite shopping opportunities... you get
the gist.
China World Trade Center
(Guomao) -- here you will find a lot of expensive stores and
some international convenience stores.
Silk Street - 8 East Xiushui Street Jianguo Men Wai Dajie.
This building is located east of Tian an men square. It was
reopened in March 2005 as a 5 story air conditioned building
selling entirely for foreign visitors with 'export' quality
goods. You can find luggage, leather bags, electronics,
sporting goods, jewellery, clothing and Chinese artwork.
This location caters entirely to foreign customers. The
place stocks higher 'export' quality merchandise and
out-of-season clothing.
SanLiTun YaShou Clothing Market -- Located at 58 Gongti
Beilu, this is very similar to Silk Street (see above) with
slightly better prices. Its less touristy than Silk Street,
and prices will start far closer to a reasonable sale price.
The net result is the bargaining is far less agressive and
you will probably feel more comfortable with your purchases
here.
For the more technologically-oriented tourist, Zhong Guan
Cun is a must. Located a couple miles from Tsinghua
University, this area is dubbed the "Silicon Valley of
China." There are a number of large electronics malls that
sell everything from phones to computer parts. The largest
and most well-known include Hilon and Dinghao. Pirated
software and DVDs are not hard to find here. Many of the
shady characters outside the malls shouting 'DVD!' also sell
pornography (illegal in China).
Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their
stores in Beijing are located at Building 4, Entrance 5,
Nancun, Madian (Metro 2 to Zhishuitan, bus 315, 344 or 345
to Madian, store is located southside of Bei Sanhuan, west
of Madian intersection) and at Jinzhiqiao Dasha, Guomen,
Chaoyang District (west entrance of China International
Trade Center, continue west along northside of street to
east side of second block of buildings).
More at:
Antiques and Specialty Items
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