| Buying tips in China | |
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| May 24, 2004 04:01 |   |
 | I will be in China for 3 weeks starting this Saturday and was looking for buying advice or tips. Specifically, I like articles that are authentic, either clothing, crafts or art that are NOT touristy. In China, I will be travelling through Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Guilin, Wuzhen, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Shaghai. Any suggestions, shops, or prices? Thanks, Andrew |
| May 26, 2004 10:44 | #1 |
| Shoppinh Area in Beijing: DONGSI This shopping area is located at the north end of Wangfujing near Longfu Temple. The Longfu Building is a large department store. Shops of every size and description as well as privately owned stalls are in the area. GOVERNMENT TOURIST STORES The Friendship Store at 17 Jianguomenwai used to be the only store in Beijing serving the visitor. Money changing is available as well as purchases by credit cards. They have everything from silk to jade carvings and jewelry. Make this one of your first stops to check prices and quality before hitting the streets. Many people return to buy here because of the quality offered for a good price. Government stores, conveniently located adjacent to government tourist restaurants, are usually visited by tour groups for lunch. Plenty of time is given for shopping. Money changing, lots of sales clerks, and credit card services, and shipping are available as well. Traditional Chinese goods are in abundance such as silk by the yard, jade, porcelains and ceramics, cloisonne', embroidery, lacquerware plus many more. No bargaining in government stores, except perhaps on large purchase. HUOTONG AREA STORES Shopping in some of these century-old stores can be a very unique experience . See them before the bulldozers clear the land for the emerging new Beijing. Might not find much to buy, but the shopping and strolling is fun. QIANMEN DAJIE For over five hundred years this has been a main shopping area for the city and is located south of Tian'anmen Square. Don't miss the Dazalan area, a huotong, alley, running west from the top of Qianmen. Food sellers, silk shops, theatres, Chinese Medicine Shops and clothing shops abound in this very alive shopping area. Some shop locations date back more than 400 years. SILVER STREET Silver Street is parallel to and one block east of Wangfujing Street, and is an area for Western-style clothing. WANGFUJING STREET This is Beijing's busiest commercial area and is normally full of shoppers. Besides many shops and restaurants there is an very large many storied mall. Prices are reasonable in this area as many stores are government owned. The street has recently been completely renovated. The streets north-south from the Beijing Hotel to the Palace Hotel. The area is a good area to shop in as the visitor will not be cheated or overcharged. No bargaining here, but lots of fun. The weekend is the most crowded time. ... |
| May 26, 2004 10:45 | #2 |
| XIDAN This area is north of West Chang'an Avenue and has many different shopping options. Xiadan Market is the largest shop, and it has recently been modernized. wide range of merchandise is available along with a friendly and helpful staff makes shopping here extremely interesting. There is also a large Xidan Shopping Center in the immediate area. LIULICHANG Located southwest of Qianmen, this market specializes in Chinese paintings, calligraphy, rare books, and arts and crafts. At this market the shops all have the look of a traditional Qing Dynasty market area having been rebuilt in the 1980's. A fun place to stroll through and shop. Bargaining is limited here. PANJIAYUAN Antique lovers who know their stuff will be very happy shopping here. Most of the real antiques vendors are in the rear area of the market and are usually peasants from the countryside who sell items collected in their villages. Come very early on weekends, Sunday is the best day for the antiques. Bargain hard here. SILK MARKET Also known as Xiu Shui, Silk Alley is really a north-south alley which runs from Xiu Shui Street south past the US Embassy to Jianguomenwai Avenue. Many silk items and other type of garments are for sale. Designer jeans, silk pajamas, silk scarves, outdoor jackets, shoes, children's clothes. Don't necessarily believe the designer label inside the garment. One never knows what will be for sale on silk alley on any one day, but many black market items are everywhere. CD's . Beanie Babies, and computer items aren't usually the real thing. A real fun place to stroll, and bargaining is expected. It is usually very crowded. Food vendors are usually there as well. ... Hope it can help |
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