The Best Shopping Places in Beijing

The ancient city of Beijing is also the capital of China. It is a thriving metropolis that not only boasts of beautiful and scenic spots and a vast array of monuments, but also promises exciting shopping expeditions. After enjoying the sights of the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, The Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, a visit to the numerous shopping areas in the city is a must. Even if you are holidaying in some other part of China, you can always take cheap domestic flights to Beijing and embark on an exhilarating shopping expedition.

Thankfully there are many cheap flights to Beijing and this means that people can save a lot of money, which can be spent on buying beautiful Chinese silk, artifacts, pearls and much more. The city is teeming with markets and malls that offer great bargains, as long as you know where to go.

The Silk Alley Market is the most popular shopping area in the city. Until 2005 it was an open-air market, but now it is housed in a 5-storeyed building in Xiushuidong Jie. This place is very close to the US Embassy and offers replicas of famous brands such as Nike, Puma and Northface. The place is also popular for cashmere sweaters, linen, clothes, traditional Chinese jewelry, toys, precious stones, shoes, luggage, and handicraft. Once you finish shopping you can relax at the food court located in the building.

Travelers wanting to shop for pearls should head to Hongqiao Market. This market is located in Chongwen District and has several shops that sell seawater, cultured, pink, black, ivory and freshwater pearls. It is best to check a couple of shops before purchasing the pearls, as the price and quality vary from one shop to another.

Flea market lovers will get enchanted with Panjiayuan Market, located in Chaoyang District on the Third Ring Road. This market houses around 3,000 stalls that open at dawn and continue selling their wares until 4 pm. The market is popular for selling antique-like replicas. You can also buy beautiful Buddha statues, silk screen, porcelain vases and jade bangles from here. At times, you may be lucky enough to pick up genuine products dating back to the Chinese Cultural Revolution that took place in the 1960s.

Mall lovers should head to the Oriental Plaza at the Wangfujing Street. Spread in an area of 12,000 square meters, the Plaza promises an exciting experience in dining, shopping and entertainment. The mall is categorized into six theme based sections, namely the Market Square, the Metro City, the Garden Court, the International Boulevard, the Wonderful World and the Sky Avenue. Here you can find original designer products from famous brands, such as Valentino, Burberry and Max Mara. It offers a completely different perspective to shopping in the capital city of China.

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