Shopping In Beijing

What To Buy
Like every other metropolitans in the world, Beijing gets everything you possibly need, and more. Beijing has been the country’s capital for 800 years, so in addition of those modern stuff, Beijing also offers some nicest tokens of its rich history and culture. This is particularly liked by first-time visitors of Beijing.

Also, knowing what to buy can help you figure out where to buy, ‘cause there’re certain areas in Beijing where you it’s more easier to find certain things.

Where To Buy
You can buy the latest fashions in XiDan, WangFuJing, or JianGuoMen in central Beijing, antiques in LiuLiChang in the south, miscellaneous in PanJiaYuan in the southeast, and many other nice shops in between. Ohh…there is a XiuShui Street being the favorite for many expatriates.

How To Buy
Figure out by what means you are going to shop around. In a city like Beijing, taking subway is always the one advised as your first choice. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and and it can take you to most parts of the city. Plus, it’s penny-saving. So, why not subway?

Well, you can also take taxi. Taxi drivers in Beijing normally can speak a little English (enough to take you where to want to go), and known for being kind and helpful.

Take bus if you want to know more about the people. But make sure you do know and understand a little Chinese.

Some Tips for Bargain
DO NOT say how much you want to pay for an item unless its near the end of the process.  Always try and drop the seller’s offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price.

DO throw out really low prices like 10 RMB as long as you have a big smile.

DO keep smiling throughout.  The seller is much more likely to continue bargaining with a happy smiling face.  Getting angry rarely gets you the price you want.

BE AWARE the initial price offered by the seller is usually at least 40% over the general price acceptable.  It can be up to 500% over.

DO have an idea of what the item is worth.  You can ask Chinese friends, hotel staff, ex-pats or look at our rough guide below.  This is very general and is based on a market like Xiu Shui.  You may not be able to get the lowest prices stated at Xiu Shui, especially on a weekend when there are lots of tourists around.

DO walk away once you’ve given them your final price, even before.  If you get called back, you know you are close.  If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall and try again with a slightly higher price.

After an exhausting shopping day, you must want a happy diner, a light-hearted massage or pedicure, etc.  The Peking Roast Duck is highly recommended!

Let the big shopping day start to rock!!!

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