Tis the season … to doll up your house with all manner of Christmas gear!
It’s not just about the tree – there’s also the ornaments, the lights, the wreaths … and the creepy animatronic Santas. While Taobao seems to be the answer for everything these days, there’s nothing that says “tis the season” like browsing for your holiday gear in person.
However, that can be easier said than done in Beijing these days. Since 2016, many wholesale markets that were long our go-to spots for Christmas trinkets have been moved outside the downtown area to the “There Be Dragons” portions of Hebei Province. Wholesale markets like Tianyi and Ladies’ Street have been torn down, and flower markets like Liangma and Laitai have been snuffed.
With a little digging, we’ve found five places that still stand in Beijing where you can enjoy your weekend soaking up the spirit of the season.
Dongfeng International Flower Center 东风国际花卉市场`
Address: A12, Laiguangying East Road, Chaoyang District
Subway: 15 min walk from Cuigezhuang Station, Line 15
Hours: 6am-4pm
Reasons to go: Dongfeng is the biggest wholesale flower market in northeast Beijing. Rush hour is in the morning around 6am when many flower shops and studio owners go there to stock up. You can basically find all kinds of flowers including roses, lilies, and daisies, as well as materials for Christmas wreaths. Due to the pandemic, there are no imported (live) Christmas trees this year – although some of the shops sell artificial trees and you’ll find other themed home decorations there as well. Some stores provide branches and can help arrange them into the shape of a Christmas tree — smaller but still lovely.
Wangsiying Flower Market 王四营鲜花市场
Address: Gaobeidian Road, southeast of Wangsiying Bridge, Chaoyang District
Subway: 20 min walk from Shuanghe Station, Line 7
Opening times: 7am-5pm
Reasons to go: Probably the largest remaining wholesale flower market in Beijing. Although it’s far from the CBD, it may just be worth it if you live on the east side and flowers are your thing. However, like many of its downtown brethren, this market is being moved at the end of this month (this makes for lots of bargaining opportunities). Decorated Christmas trees can also be found here. A mini-sized tree (20~30cm tall) is about RMB 120.
Chaoyue Baihui (朝悦百惠)
Address: Gaobeidian Road, southeast of Wangsiying Bridge, Chaoyang District
Subway: 20min walk from Shuanghe Station, Line 7
Opening hours: 8.30am-5.30pm
Reasons to go: This is an integrated shopping mall right next to the Wangsiying flower market. So just pick a day and enjoy the one-stop Christmas shopping there! Some local people still prefer to call it “Xindongjiao shichang” (New Dongjiao Market) since it was where many vendors moved when the major Dongjiao market formerly located at Sihui was torn down. Now, this four-story shopping mall provides thousands of goods ranging from kitchen supplies to clothes and handbags. The second floor is where you’ll find a paradise for Christmas trinkets, the perfect place to get your life-sized animatronic Santa Claus that can dance and greet passers-by with a creepy “Ho, Ho, Ho.” You’ll also find all manner of artificial Christmas trees, stockings, and gift boxes.
Bairong World Trade Center (百荣世贸商城)
Address: 101 Yongdingmenwai Outer Street, Dongcheng District
Subway: 10 min walk from Muxiyuan Station, Line 8
Reasons to go: A wholesale complex that we’re sure most of you have never been to, given its location far away from Expat Central. Opened in 2004, Bairong World Trade Center is one of the last bastions of free-form, rando wholesale action in Beijing. In addition to shoes, toys, and daily necessities, there is a whole floor selling Christmas decorations. Just go straight to the fifth floor of Building 2, where you will find pretty much all you need for Christmas, from ornaments to table decorations to fake Christmas trees and strings of fairy lights.
Non-relics Flower Cultural Plaza (非遗花卉文化广场)
Address: 19 Tianze Road, Chaoyang District
Subway: 15 min walk from Liangmaqiao Station, Line 10
Reasons to go: After a feast in Bistro 108, how about taking a stroll downstairs to find yourself some holiday gear? Though the glorious Liangma Flower Market has long since been torn down, some of its shopowners have moved their business here. Though smaller than before, service and selection are still OK. What’s more, this year, there are shops selling Christmas decorations apart from just flowers. There are a variety of Christmas trees that can be bought with or without decorations, as well as boxes of ornaments, giant wreaths, Christmas reindeer, and snowman dolls.
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Images: JingKid, Luna Lovegood (via pixabay.com), Weibo
