Beijing Shopping, CHINA
Airing Date: May 29th, 2006
As early as in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), Beijing was a famous commercial city in the world. During the Qing Dynasty, the market in Beijing was brisk.
Today, shops in Beijing are in a great number, scattered in every corner and are sophisticated. Beijing has 10 famous shopping streets including the Wangfujing, Dongdanbei, Longfusi, Xidanbei, Qianmen, Xiusuhi streets and Liulichang Cultural Street. These streets boast modern malls and boutiques or special article shops and provide various kinds of services. The goods that tourists in Beijing prefer to buy are unique handicrafts and cultural relics full of Beijing flavor, such as cloisonn, jade ware, bronzes and stone tablets with inscriptions, writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and ink slabs, antiques, paintings, calligraphic works and handicrafts including dough figurines, facial masks and kites unique to Beijing.
Don't even think of buying pearls until you shop at the Pearl Market. These shops used to be the flea market types that hugged the outer perimeter of the 'Temple of Heaven' but are now housed in a low-rise building. Strands of freshwater pearls start at about $3.
Silk Alley (Xiushui Street) lies near the US Embassy. It's a good place in Beijing for bargains and is frequented by the resident foreigners. Whatever you wish to buy, like bags, shoes, handicrafts or sweaters, you may haggle a lot with the owners for the best price. The Curio City Market (Chaoyang District) is perfect for old or antique artifacts. It has anything from gold buttons to restored bridal beds. If you've seen a piece of Chinese furniture in a glossy magazine or high-priced home dcor shop back home, you may well find the same item here for a fraction of the price (you can ship things home as well).
Another place not to miss for antiques is Liulichang Culture Street. It is a few minutes' walk from the south of Hepingmen subway station. It is an established market selling jewelry, antiques, ancient calligraphies and paintings. Antiques of 100 years old and over are marked with a red seal and requires an export license before leaving the country. The Dirt Market or Panjiayuan Folk Culture Market is a holiday market selling old folk art wares, collections and decorations including old books, furniture in ancient styles, jade articles, porcelains, Chinese and foreign coins and folk costumes amongst other things. The Panjiayuan Sunday market is Beijing's liveliest and should not be missed. Vendors, many from faraway provinces, fill hundreds of open-air stalls with a dizzying array of collectibles. The best bargains are said to be had very early, starting from 6am - be prepared to settle in to bargain for a long time!
Some points to remember! In these street markets the motto is buyer beware. Never accept anything packaged in plastic after you've seen the unwrapped product on display. Ask the vendor to show you what you are actually getting, otherwise you could learn the hard way, coming back to your hotel only to find that your packages did not contain the product or size you requested. Carry small bills. Often a street merchant giving you change for a large bill will attempt to hand off counterfeit bills in return. Your inexperienced eye might not pick up the differences and you'll be left with a lot of worthless money. Try carrying only ten ($2.00 and twenty Yuan bills.
Qantas return to Beijing from $1359 ex Sydney, $1391 ex Melbourne, $1455 ex Brisbane, $1456 ex Perth, $1478 ex Adelaide and $1670 ex Hobart. Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Website: www.qantas.com
10 day small group journey from $2894 a person. Based on twin share. Includes taxes. Conditions apply. Includes 3 nights at Novotel Xinqiao
Travel Indochina
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Prices correct at 29/5/06
