🛍️ Shopping in Beijing: Where Tradition Meets Trend
Beijing is a shopping paradise blending ancient charm and modern style! Here, you can pick up cloisonné crafts from century-old shops or browse designer brands in sleek malls. This guide unlocks the best spots to carry home a piece of Beijing’s heart.
🏮 Traditional Commercial Streets
Walk Through History
Wangfujing Street: A Century of Shopping Glory
A 1km pedestrian street with landmarks like the 1915 Wangfujing Department Store and modern malls like APM. Glows like a fairy tale at night.
Must-Buy:
- Time-honored brands: Vacuum-packed Quanjude roast duck, Neiliansheng hand-stitched cloth shoes (traditional dragon/phoenix designs).
- Cultural souvenirs: Forbidden City cultural products like washi tape, bookmarks, and imperial-style jewelry.
Tips:
- Try snacks like Tanghulu and 驴打滚 (glutinous rice rolls) at the north-end food street (cash/mobile payment accepted).
- Clear English signs and staff with basic English make shopping easy.
Qianmen Street: A Living Fossil of Old Beijing
Cobblestone streets and vintage storefronts recreate 1900s charm—perfect for retro photos.
Must-Buy:
- Intangible heritage crafts: Rongbaozhai rice paper and calligraphy brushes (ideal for art lovers); cloisonné vases and jewelry boxes.
- Specialty snacks: Liubiju pickles (great with congee), Daoxiangcun pastries (try “ox tongue cakes” and date pastries in gift boxes).
Tips:
- Explore side hutongs like Yangmeizhu Xie Street for indie designer shops and cafés.
- Visit after dark for lantern-lit scenery and photos with historic archways.
🛒 Specialty Markets
Bargains and Hidden Gems
Panjiayuan Antique Market: Heaven for Collectors
Asia’s largest antique market with 4,000+ stalls selling porcelain, jade, vintage furniture, and old books. Weekend flea markets have English-speaking sellers.
Must-Buy:
- Antiques: Ming/Qing copper coins, old cheongsam buttons (great as necklace pendants), hand-painted Peking Opera masks (¥50–100, negotiable).
- Souvenirs: Dongba wood carvings, cloisonné keychains (¥10–30, discount for bulk purchases).
Tips:
- Haggling 101: Start at 1/3 of the asking price (e.g., offer ¥80 for a ¥200 item). Say “Cash discount, please” with a smile.
- “Ghost Market” (antique hunting) is 8–10 AM; night market (livelier) opens at 6 PM.
Xiushui Street: Wholesale Wares and Custom Tailoring
A revamped 8-floor mall famous for export clothing, custom suits, and pearl jewelry (once called “China’s No.1 bargain market”).
Must-Buy:
- Clothing: Custom-made Mao suits/cheongsams (¥300–800, ready in 3 days), designer dresses (50% cheaper than malls).
- Accessories: Freshwater pearl necklaces (choose pearls on the spot, ¥200–500), Beijing duck print T-shirts (¥30, fun souvenirs).
Tips:
- Floor guides: 1F jewelry/bags, 4F custom clothing, 7F shoes.
- Say “I’m a tourist, give me a good deal” to trigger automatic discounts.
🌟 Modern Malls
Luxury and Trendy Finds
China World Mall: Luxury Brands and Skyline Views
A premium mall with LV, Gucci, and more. The top-floor observatory offers views of the CCTV Tower and China Zun.
Must-Buy:
- Luxury: APM Monaco silver jewelry, Maje/Sandro French-inspired women’s wear.
- Instagram spots: % Arabica coffee (world-champion brews with floor-to-ceiling windows), Lady M mille-feuille (rare in China—must-try in Beijing).
Tips:
- Basement 1’s “China World Bazaar” sells designer jewelry and niche perfumes (¥100–500).
- Connected to Guomao Subway Station (Lines 1/10)—convenient for a quick stop.
SKP: Asia’s Most Profitable Mall, a Shopper’s Dream
A global brand hub. 4F’s “SKP SELECT” stocks streetwear like Off-White and Balenciaga; 6F’s “SKP-S” features futuristic cyberpunk-themed spaces.
Must-Buy:
- Limited editions: Monthly exclusive collabs (e.g., Forbidden City cosmetics, artist-designed sneakers).
- Beauty: NARS and La Mer counters offer free skincare consultations in Chinese.
Tips:
- Tax refund: Get same-day refunds at 2F with purchases over ¥500 (passport required).
- Foreign visitors can register for membership with a passport to earn parking credits.
🎨 Art and Cultural Creations
Bring Home Beijing’s Soul
798 Art Zone: Hub of Independent Designers
A converted factory complex with galleries, design shops, and cafés—perfect for industrial-style photos.
Must-Buy:
- Handmade gifts: Hand-painted ceramic mugs (¥80–200), minimalist Chinese character necklaces (“福” luck/”和” harmony, meaningful designs).
- Art souvenirs: UCCA Store’s exhibition merchandise (e.g., Yayoi Kusama/Monet collabs, limited editions).
Tips:
- Weekend art markets (e.g., “Woodstock of Eating”) let you watch artisans craft leather goods and prints.
- Some shops accept VISA, but carry cash for small stalls (WeChat/Alipay preferred).
Yangmeizhu Xie Street: Artsy Hutong Living
Quieter than Nanluoguxiang, this hutong features bookstores, workshops, and retro boutiques in gray-brick courtyards.
Must-Buy:
- Hutong vibes: “Model Bookstore”’s old Beijing map notebooks (¥35, gold-stamped covers), “Lost & Found” wooden trinkets (¥30–100, rustic charm).
- Retro fashion: China-chic T-shirts (prints of hutongs and bird-cage vendors, ¥50–80).
Tips:
- Refuel at “Soloist Coffee” with a “Yangmeizhu Americano” (plum-infused coffee).
- Many shops open after 2 PM—plan for an afternoon stroll.
Night Markets
Budget-Friendly Finds
Heshanghui Night Market: Young, Trendy, and Delicious
A 24-hour underground market with 100 + internet-famous food stalls and creative vendors—great for evening browsing.
Must-Buy:
- China-chic gadgets: Forbidden City ice cream (¥15, shaped like roof guardians or turrets), retro enamel mugs (“Serve the People” print, ¥10).
- Takeaway snacks: Bao Shifu pork floss mini cakes, vacuum-packed for 3 days, HEYTEA’s Beijing-exclusive peach tea (¥18).
Tips:
- Two zones: “21 Block” (retro Hong Kong style) and “Food Forest” (Instagrammable decor). Shop first, eat later to avoid carrying too much.
🛍️ Practical Shopping Tips
Payment Methods
Haggling Hacks
Packing Tips
Ready to explore Beijing?
From elegant Forbidden City trinkets to quirky hutong designs, Beijing’s shopping scene is a cultural journey. Whether you’re buying Daoxiangcun pastries for family or a designer necklace for yourself, each item holds a piece of your Beijing adventure.