Hong Qiao Market
Hong
Qiao is best known for pearls (hence its alternative name, the “Pearl
Market”), with a huge range available, freshwater and seawater, up on
the third floor. The floors below are a tight compress of clothing,
shoes, electronics, and more, while in the basement is a pungent, but
fascinating market for fish, frogs, and snakes .
Hong Qiao Market
Silk Market
More
properly known as Xiushui, this is the most infamous market in Beijing.
It is reportedly the city’s third main tourist attraction after the
Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Some 100,000 shoppers a day visit to
snap up famous brand goods for ridiculously low prices. Of course, they
are all fakes, but who’s to know? Come prepared for feisty salespeople
and items of varying quality .Yashaw Market
At
the center of the embassy district of Sanlitun, Yaxiu (or Yashow)
offers more of the same as the Silk Market: four floors of clothing,
bags, shoes, and sportswear, plus some jewelry, nail salons, and a bunch
of tailors on the top floor who can run up a gent’s suit for around
¥350 .
Bead stall at Yaxiu Market
Beaded purse
Panjiayuan Antique Market
As
much a tourist attraction as a shopping experience, Panjiayuan is home
to around 3,000 dealers peddling everything from broken bicycles to
family heirlooms. Come herefor Mao memorabilia, a Qing-dynasty vase, or
yellowing Tintin comics in Chinese. Panjiayuan Market is at its busiest,
best, and most chaotic at the weekends. Serious collectors swoop at
dawn, but it’s fun any time.
Panjiayuan Antique Market
China World Shopping Mall and Shin Kong Plaza
The
CBD around Guomao is China’s equivalent of Wall Street, attracting
luxury hotels as well as glitzy malls. China World and Shin Kong are
both home to high-end international brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada,
and Moschino. Prices are at least as high as back homeDong Jiao Wholesale Market
In
a series of hangar-like buildings southeast of SOHO, traders sell just
about anything. This is where restaurants and hotels buy pots and pans,
schools come for classroom supplies, service staff buy uniforms, and
small traders and cooks come for fresh fruit and vegetables. You may not
need a carton of 1,000 chopsticks, but it is fascinating to browse, all
the same.Solana
Located
next to Chaoyang Park, Solana is Beijing’s biggest outdoor shopping
mall. It is a California-style complex centered around a plaza with
fountains, a clock tower, and paths leading to a lakeside strip. Zara,
Esprit, Nike, and Sephora are some of the brands you can find here;
Todai is a popular eatery famed for its sushi and seafood buffet.6 Chaoyang Park Road
5905 6666
Open 11am–9pm daily
Zhongguancun, Electronics Avenue
Zhongguancun
is the capital’s technology hub, and Electronics Avenue is home to some
of the biggest electronics markets in Beijing. Stores sell everything
from computers and mp3 players to cameras. Staff rarely speak English,
so bring a printout of the model you want.Subway: Wudaokou, then taxi
