SHOPPING

Shopping

Shopping in Beijing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks of this historical city, but it is one of the favourite and most popular activities and finding bargains and haggling for the best prices has become the norm.

Walking and bargaining in the countless markets in Xiu Shui Jie Shopping Mall or the Xiu Shui Market will no doubt build up an appetite, but luckily there is plenty of food on offer at these stalls for shoppers to refuel. Popular buys include fake designer labels, clothing and bags and bargaining is an essential skill.

The main shopping area is around Wangfujing Dajie, where a number of department stores can be found, including the Beijing Department Store. The Xidan area offers wonderful big department stores selling brand fixed price goods including electronic equipment while the Hong Qiao Market is a popular bargaining indoor market in the south central area of Beijing. Here buyers can haggle for goods such as cheap no-name or fake brand electronics, sunglasses, batteries, watches and jewellery.

Liulichang in the south of Beijing is a great place for Chinese antique wares and buys should be aware that authentic antiques over 100 years old display a red wax seal. An export licence must be issued in order to take these out of the country.

Shops in Beijing are open daily from 9am to 8pm and there is no sales tax.