Beijing Shopping: Everything You Should Know

You can't help shopping when you are traveling in Beijing. Beijing is a big international city and has been busy since ancient times. There is nothing you can't buy there and various shopping outlets dazzle you, from shopping malls to local small shops. This article details the most famous shopping streets, the most unique and traditional shopping places, and the most representative souvenirs you should buy.

The Most Famous Shopping Streets in Beijing

Beijing is a bustling metropolis filled with shopping centers and department stores. At night, the shopping malls seem like shining stars illuminating the city.

1. Wangfujing, with a History of Over 100 Years

  • Location: Wangfujing Station on Line 1 of the subway, Dongcheng District
  • Recommended places: Wangfujing Street, Wangfujing Department Store, and Oriental Plaza

With a history of over 100 years, Wangfujing Street is an ideal place for shopping due to its large number of varied shops. The most attractive shops for foreigner travelers are the famous traditional shops, such as Rui Fu Xiang, China Photography, and Silian Hairdressing.

2. Dashilar Street, One of the Oldest Streets

Dashilan Beijing Dashilar
  • Location: Qianmen Station on Line 2 of the subway
  • Recommended places: Dashilar Street, Neiliansheng, and Rui Fu Xiang

Dashilar Street stretches from Zhengyang Gate in the north to Tiantan Road in the south. This is one of the most ancient streets in Beijing, so you can seek out many traditional Beijing handicrafts. Plenty of old shops are located in this street, such as Bianyifang Roast Duck, Liubiju, and Neiliansheng Shoe Shop.

3. Xidan, the Busiest Street in Beijing

  • Location: 120 Xidan North Street, Xicheng District
  • Recommended places: Xidan Shopping Center, Joy City, Han Guang Department Store, Juntai Department Store, and Xidan.
  • Xidan is the most prosperous commercial street in Beijing, stretching from Xuanwumen to Lingjing Hutong. It's a popular shopping place for young people due to the many fashion outlets.

4. Sanlitun, Was Famous for Being 3 Li Away from Beijing City Center

  • Location: 19 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District
  • Recommended place: Taikoo Li Sanlitun
  • Sanlitun was famous for being 3 li (equal to 0.5 kilometer) away from Beijing city center while today it is well-known to travelers for its colorful nightlife.
bubble tea Various kinds of bubble tea in Sanlitun

5. Xiushui Street, a Popular Street with Foreigners

  • Location: Exit A from Yonganli Station on Line 1 of the subway
  • Recommended place: Xiushui Street
  • Xiushui Street is a short street that is only 300 meters long and is filled with various small shops. Local clothes shops and silk shops are popular with foreigners. In order to meet different requests, there is a newly-built Xiushui Street, which has eight stories near the original street.

Local Featured Shopping Places

If you think the markets are too vulgar, the wholesale markets are too noisy, and the boutique shops are too uncreative, then go to some local featured shopping places, as detailed below, and enjoy shopping in Beijing.

1. Nanluogu Lane, Explore the Authentic Beijing Hutong

  • Location: Nanluogu Lane, Dongcheng District
  • Nearby attractions: Jingshan Park, the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and Shichahai

Nanluogu Lane is the only traditional Beijing residential area that still retains its original completed architectural structure and its rich cultural resources, as well as being the largest in scale.There are many stylish shops, and the personal shops combined with a historic atmosphere have made this street a must-see landmark of Beijing. Wander deep into the hutongs and you'll discover a quiet but authentic old Beijing lifestyle.

2. Shichahai — Bars, Small Shops, and Ancient Architecture

  • Location: Shichahai, Xicheng District
  • Nearby attractions: Di'anmen, the Bell and Drum towers, and Prince Gong’s Mansion

Shichahai is famous for the 10 Buddhist temples that surround it. As well as the elegant lake around Shichahai, there are many celebrity residences. Prince Gong’s Mansion is the most famous one. Shichahai is a paradise for nightlife. Listen to some popular songs in a local bar or wander alongside the lake and visit some of the small shops. If you want to join in with more activities, go ahead to Yandai Xiejie to get several quaint postmarks at the Qing Dynasty Post Office.

3. Yandai Xiejie, the Oldest Commercial Street in Beijing

  • Location: Shichahai, Xicheng District
  • Nearby attraction: Shichahai

The shape of Yandai Xiejie resembles a slender pipe that was used for smoking in ancient China. In the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), many shops there sold smoking sets, framed calligraphy and paintings, and antique jade wares. Yandai Xiejie has a lasting and dyed-in-the-wool appeal: you can not only try local snacks but also see interesting paper cutting and sugar-figure blowing.

4. Panjiayuan Antique Market, the Largest Flea Market

  • Location: 18 Huawei Li, Chaoyang District
  • Open: every Thursday to Sunday

Panjiayuan Antique Market is the largest flea market in China. You can find many cultural relics, paintings, calligraphy, the “scholar's four jewels” (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper), porcelains, and wooden furniture.

5. Glass Street, a Famous Traditional Cultural Street

  • Location: Liulichang, outside Hepingmen, Xicheng District, 1 kilometer away from Tian'anmen Square

Liulichang, an 800-meter street, fully displays traditional Chinese culture, especially the art of painting and calligraphy. In the Qing Dynasty, it was the official area for making glazed tiles. Nowadays, it is still an important place for cultural communication.

What You Should Take Home from Beijing

You must want to take some special gifts home with you after visiting Beijing. No matter whether you like the local snacks or objects from old Beijing, there are various options you can choose from.

1. Rui Fu Xiang Cloth Products

  • Location: 5 Dazhalan Street, Qianmenwai, Xicheng District
  • Opening times: 9:30am to 8pm

Rui Fu Xiang Silk Store was opened in 1893 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. It is a well-known traditional Chinese shop both in China and abroad. Rui Fu Xiang is mainly engaged in silk, wool, cotton, and leather goods. The first national flag of the People's Republic of China was made in this old store.

2. Beijing Preserved Fruit

guopu Beijing Preserved Fruit
  • Where to buy: 130 Xidan North Street, Xicheng District

Beijing dried fruit is made using a traditional royal secret recipe. It has a moderately sour and sweet taste, is smooth, and is moist. It is sweet but not greasy and has a strong fruit flavor, mainly including apple, pear, peach, date, apricot, red ginseng, and cantaloupe.

3. Neiliansheng Fabric Shoes

  • Where to buy: 34 Dazhalan Street, Xicheng District

In ancient times, wearing a pair of Neiliansheng fabric shoes was regarded as a proclamation of a person's status. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the official shoes for ministers were made by Neiliansheng.

4. Cloisonné

  • Where to buy: Glass Street and Xiushui Street

Cloisonné is a traditional and unique handicraft in Beijing, featuring a blue glaze. Beijing is the birthplace of the skill for making cloisonné, and its history can be dated back to about 1,000 years ago.

5. Tuckahoe Pie

Tuckahoe Pie is a traditional Beijing dim sum made of Poria cocos and white flour with added honey, sugar, and nuts. The shape of Tuckahoe Pie resembles a round white moon. Have a mouthful of it to taste its sweet and unique flavor.

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