For my first post as a new parent blogger at beijingkids I thought I would pass on some helpful insider information on the place to get blueberries, and other amazing natural goodness, at rock bottom prices. For the last decade or so Sanyuanli has been the go-to “Chinese” market for fresh fish, exquisite veggies (bags of basil!), and whatnot for your Sunday night family-feasts, but let’s get honest for a second… its gotten expensive! It’s become the “local” market that all the laowai go to and the prices are up. Good news – I recently discovered a truly Chinese market where the prices are surprisingly low!
I ran into a friend of mine off to buy blueberries at a “secret” market. I was intrigued, so I tagged along. Just the night before I had done my weekly shopping at Sanyuanli and had bought a couple boxes of blueberries at RMB 15 each. My friend assured me I could get them for half that price at another place.
I followed him north past MOMA leaving expat Dongzhimen for lao Beijing. We locked our bikes up and ventured into Xiangheyuan Market. I was shocked by the yelling: vendors holler out their prices like you are at some sort of end of the world fruit auction. We approached the blueberry lady, and sure enough her berries were half the price of Sanyuanli. I booked it out of there with four boxes of blueberries, but there are plenty of other bargains to be had. I’ll be heading back there this weekend to do my big weekly shop.
Theresa Pauline is a yoga teacher, social entrepreneur, momma, wife, and beijingkids contributor. You can find out more about her at www.taozitreeyoga.com
Photos: Theresa Pauline
