The countdown is well underway for families looking forward to the first day of school, and in fact some schools have already opened their doors to kids this week. But as bags are packed with water bottles and homework and files, is there something that needs replacing, or that is missing altogether? Where in Beijing can you get stationery and other school supplies?
While you might usually be content to open up Taobao and type in specifically what you need, like ball point pens 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) or notebooks 笔记本 (bǐ jì běn), at this point you need the supplies in 48 hours or less! In this case, it might be quickest to head down to one of these physical stores in Beijing to pick up what you need. Plus, isn’t it better to be able to test the pens and paper before you use them?
Beijing Wanpeng Stationery Commodity Shopping Mall
Oh yes there is an entire shopping mall dedicated just to stationery! Isn’t that a dream come true for stationery geeks who could spend all day searching for the perfect pencil? (Yes, I’m guilty.) This stationery mall is basically a wholesale center that feels like somewhere out of the ’90s, since the layout, look and even the smell is pure nostalgia. While business has slowed because of the pandemic, you will still be able to find a great variety of stationery shops catering to different needs and tastes. Aside from stationery, you can find some popular sporting goods such as badminton rackets, basketballs, and footballs too!
Find it:
Beijing Wanpeng Stationery Commodity Shopping Mall 北京万朋文化用品商城
3/F, Group 28, 128 Yongdingmenwai Dajie, Dongzhimen
东城区永定门外大街128号28组团3层
M&G Stationery
The M&G stationery store is located on the fourth floor of Building 2 of the Bairong World Trade Center in Dongcheng District, and is a veritable treasure chest of stationery! From coloring supplies to paper to planners to files, it has it all. There are even toys (some educational-ish, and others not) for sale in the four-story store. It can easily be a whole day affair to shop here, so luckily there are restaurants and cafés in the mall.
Find it:
101-2 Yongdingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区永定门外大街101号
乐乐学生屋 lè lè xué shēng wū
This ordinary shopfront hides a dazzling array of stationery goods within its walls. The store proudly hosts the most complete Zebra brand stationery collection here in Beijing, and it has been said that many models that are not available online can be found in this store. The store also offers other international brands, though it seems to favor popular Japanese ones such as Pilot and Uni.
Find it:
No. 12, Courtyard 2A, Xiaotun Road, No. 2 Courtyard, Fengtai District
丰台区小屯路甲2号院12号
天天向上文具店 tiān tiān xiàng shàng wén jù diàn
This shop, which literally translates into “Everyday upward stationery shop” can be a bit difficult to find. After entering, the first feeling is similar to other stationery stores, but if you look closely at the products, you will find everything has been specially selected by the store owner, and hence endorsed for its quality! Though prices are higher than online, you will get discounts if you buy in bulk! And let’s face it, you will ALWAYS need more pens.
Find it:
Bldg 34, Ziyunzhuang, Jinsong Shangduo Market, Wusheng Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区武圣路劲松尚多市场紫云庄34号楼
KEEP READING: Getting Into That Back-to-School Mindset
Images: Pexels, Dianping
