The Best Beijing Shopping

Over the last several decades, the Beijing shopping scene has grown into a fantastic commercial world. Where just thirty years ago there were few shopping centers and opportunities for travelers to find great items to take home, there are now many enormous shopping centers and malls, as well as boutique stores to satisfy any of your shopping needs. Whether you’re looking for authentic Chinese clothing or souvenirs, high-end fashions, or the latest in electronics, the best Beijing shopping will leave you happy and your wallet lighter.

Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing Street is the most famous commercial center in the Chinese capital, and it is one of the premier places to go for the best Beijing shopping. It has been a commercial street for more than 700 years, and it stretches to half a mile long. It is the busiest street in Beijing, with 600,000 people passing through to shop for modern fashion trends on any given day. Beijing may not yet have the cutting edge fashion scene that you’ll find in Tokyo, but it is quickly catching up, and Wangfujing Street is an excellent example of the changing world of the best high end Beijing shopping. You’ll also find an enormous bookstore on Wangfujing, which is a great place to look for souvenirs for friends and family at home.

Shanghai Xu

For many travelers who are in the know, Shanghai Xu offers the very best Beijing shopping. The quality of goods here is top notch, and you’ll find all kinds of items at great prices. It is well known for offering high quality clothing that is made to measure, and you’ll be able to get custom made pieces with a turnaround of around 24 hours. You can get jackets for $200, which is far less than what you’d pay for the same quality at home. You’ll also find items for the home as well, like pillows and coasters, as well as accessories to take out on the town. The purses and scarves at Shanghai Xu, for example, are renowned for their quality.

Panjiayuan Market

Panjiayuan Market is a must-see, and it offers the best Beijing shopping for antiques. It is the largest antiques market in all of Asia, with more than 3,000 vendors covering the market’s half-million square foot area. If you’re into historical items, Panjiayuan is the place for you. You’ll find reproductions of pieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as authentic objects and artifacts from the Cultural Revolution. You’ll also be able to shop for ancient coins, antique clothing, and Buddhist relics. The Panjiayuan Market can’t be beat for antiques, making it a place for some of the best Beijing shopping. Come on the weekends for the full experience, when the arts and crafts areas are also open.

Silk Alley

Silk Alley is one of the city’s most famous markets amongst foreign travelers, and it is one of the best Beijing shopping centers for fake goods. Ethical or not, there’s no denying that paying 150 yuan for a counterfeit fleece jacket is exhilaratingly thrifty. Silk Alley sees competition from another imitation goods market, Yaxiu Fuzhuang Shichang, which is a boon for travelers – more competition equals lower prices. While you’re shopping, keep an eye out for vendors displaying red flags. These flags indicate that that vendor is more ethical than others (or is at least supposed to be), which means fewer scams and better shopping experiences for you. The most unscrupulous vendors have been run out by others, and you can feel confident that bargaining will get you a good price on your purchases.

After shopping, find Beijing restaurants where you can refuel and relax.