Beijing offers several markets with a mind-boggling variety of goods, and inevitably there will come a day when you’re looking for souvenirs for the trip back home. Here is our pick of the best places to pick up something unique. As for everything is negotiable with vendors in many Chinese markets, remember to double-check what you are buying, and haggle for the best deal.
Qianmen Dashilan’r Street 前门大栅栏（大拾栏儿）Qiánmén Dàshílànr
“大栅栏” is pronounced as dàzhàlán, but local people called it dàshílànr. Famous for its stores with an antique flavor, Qianmen Dashilan’r has one of the most ancient and distinctive commercial streets in Beijing with a history of more than 500 years. You can find all of those Beijing time-honored brands: shoes from Neiliansheng, silk fabric at Ruifuxiang, and hats from Majuyuan.
Qianmen, Xicheng District. 西城区前门 （6310 9680, nearest subway station: Line 2 Qianmen）
Wudaoying Hutong 五道营胡同 Wúdàoyíng hútóng
Compared to Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying Hutong is a must visit for a quieter and more relaxing affair. It has a great combination of modern and yet authentic, with plenty of ceramic shops, some industrial style cafes, and a few boutiques selling unique clothes, earrings, and handicrafts. It’s not a big shopping street, but definitely worth a visit to explore these old hutongs and find some gifts.
Wudaoying Hutong, Andingmen, Dongcheng District. 东城区安定门五道营胡同 （nearest subway station: Line 5 Yonghegong）
Nanluoguxiang 南锣鼓巷 Nánluógǔxiàng
With small and well preserved hutongs with a history of over 700 years dating back to Yuan Dynasty in 13th and 14th century, Nanluoguxiang has become the one of the most touristy areas in downtown Beijing. You can find a lot of interesting shops offering different kinds of snacks, Jewelry, handicrafts designed by local artists, trendy T-shirts that you can add every image on. The downside of it is you might need to deal with the crowd and long line.
Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District. 东城区南锣鼓巷 （nearest subway station: Line 6 Nanluoguxiang）
Wangfujing Shopping Street 王府井购物街 Wángfǔjǐng gòuwùjiē
Wangfujing is one of the busiest commercial and modern streets in Beijing with many local and international shopping malls such as Gongmei Mansion, Sun Dong An Plaza, and Malls at Oriental Plaza. It’s a shopper’s paradise where you can find paintings, local art, and unique crafts from all over China.
Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District. 东城区王府井大街 （nearest subway station: Line 1 Wangfujing）
Panjiayuan Antiques Market 潘家园旧货市场 pānjiāyuán jiùhuò shìchǎng
First opening in 1992 as a roadside showcase, Panjiayuan Antiques Market, as one of the oldest, biggest, and best-known markets in Beijing, has witnessed many changes in collectibles and craftsmanship here. This market offers all kinds of vintage finds and reproductions: Chinese calligraphy, painting, porcelain vases, old communist propaganda posters, and ancient furniture.
Mon-Fri 8.30am-9pm, Sat 4.30am-9pm, Sun 6am-9pm (afterJul 29, it will close at 7.30pm). Off of Southeast Third Ring Road, West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District 朝阳区潘家园桥西边 (6774 1869, nearest subway station: Line 10 Panjiayuan)
Silk Market 秀水街 xiùshuǐ jiē
Under the framework of “One Belt, One Road”, the Silk Market has been renovated this April, with a few floors added onto the old building. Now it has an upmarket feel, which is reflected in the pricing of their merchandise. You can find almost everything you need, from name-brand clothes and bags to “authentic” Chinese silk. One thing you need to keep it in mind is that it’s unlikely that anything sold at the Silk Market is “real”, and the price is not fixed; the more you haggle, the better price you might get.
Daily 9am-9pm. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号 (5676 7766, nearest subway station: Line 1, YongAnLi)
Pearl Market 红桥市场 hóngqiáo shìchǎng
Smaller than the Silk Market, but you can find many touristy things here to take back home as gifts. As its name suggests, it does sell more pearls than other markets, but you’ll find other touristy souvenirs such as Chinese tchotchkes, beads, clothes, Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and some electronics. If you head up to the fifth floor balcony, you will have an amazing view of the Temple of Heaven. Don’t forget to bargain if necessary.
Daily 10am-7pm. Temple of Heaven, 46 Hongqiao Lu, Dongcheng District 天坛, 东城区红桥路46号 (6713 3354, nearest subway station: Line 5, TianTangDongMen)
Zhongguancun E-Mall 中关村电子城 Zhōngguāncūn diànzǐchéng
Zhongguancun, also called “China’s Silicon Valley”, is Beijing’s high-tech center with many IT companies based there. The E-Mall sells different brands of computers, notebooks, and components at low prices. You can also find reasonably priced computer repair services. Many stores moved out due to last year’s renovation, but now you can still find a wide range of stores for everything related to electronics. Be aware that many brand products might not be real.
Daily 9am-6pm. 18 Zhongguancun Street, Handian District 海淀区中关村大街18号(8253 6688)
Maliandao Tea City 马连道茶城 Mǎliándào cháchéng
If you or any of your family member is a tea fan, then this place is a great place to get a glimpse into Chinese tea culture. As the largest tea market in northern China, the market specializes in anything associated with tea. You can find many different types of tea with prices ranging from dirt cheap to super expensive, as well as teacups and teapots. Here, some tea shops offer free tea for guests to taste first, and then you can bargain with the owner.
Daily. 8.30am-6pm. 11 Maliandao Road, Xicheng District. 西城区马连道路11号 (6334 2683)
Photos: pexels.
