Get The Most Out of Shopping in Beijing

The Chinese capital Beijing is renowned as a mecca for bargain hunters. Whether you are looking for souvenirs or cheap imitations of products you can get at home, visitors to Beijing will be left in no doubt China is the manufacturing capital of the world.

With so many markets as well as more official retail locations, it is not unheard of for repeat visitors to make the journey to Beijing with only the clothes on their back. Then, armed with a suitcase, they hit the shops to stock up on whatever else they need for their trip and more.

Perhaps the most famous name in the world of Beijing shopping is Wangfujing. Here, you will find big malls and shops from recognizable brands, all at bargain prices. If you are looking for antiques and art, Panjiayuan Market is the place to go. Among the treasures you can find old vases, calligraphy and paintings.

While counterfeit goods are illegal to buy and sell in many countries, China supports an entire subsection of its economy on fakes. One of the top places to get your fake goods is the Silk Market. Here you will find everything from Lacoste and Fred Perry polo shirts to Gucci belts and designer jeans.

Some of the fakes are quite convincing, but don’t be tricked into thinking they are real. It is worth mentioning any market in China is a sensory overload, however the Silk Market is worse. As a tourist the vendors will do their utmost to get your money out of you, and that means aggressive sales techniques we just aren’t used to. Being grabbed and pulled into a specific stall is not uncommon, and while you will never be forced to buy anything, the physical aspect of the shopping experience does put a lot of people off.

For those with an interest in the cooler brands, or who just want to see how young Chinese dress and where they hang out, it’s a good idea to head to the Sanlitun district. Chinese youth are paying more and more attention to how they look, and the shops here will be full of trendy clothes made by recognizable brands.

In China it is acceptable to haggle over the price of goods in markets, but not in shops where items will be tagged and scanned by a barcode. Shopping in Beijing has something for everyone, and the main thing is to make sure you enjoy it.