China Guide
Beijing
Qianmen
1 Beijing Silk Shop 5 Zhubaoshi Jie, just west of Qianmen Dajie Located just inside the first hutong to the west as you head south down Qianmen Dajie, this is the best place in Beijing to buy quality silk clothes in Chinese styles, with a wider selection and keener prices than any of the tourist stores. The ground floor sells silk fabrics, while clothes can be bought upstairs.
2 Neiliansheng Shoeshop Western end of Dazhalan, Qianmen Look for the giant shoe in the window. All manner of handmade flat, slip-on shoes and slippers in traditional designs, starting from ¥100 or so – great gifts.
3 Hongqiao Department Store Opposite the northeast corner of Tiantan Park. The giant, cramped and humid Hongqiao Department Store can be wearying but has some good bargains. The top floor sells antiques and curios; one stall is given over solely to Cultural Revolution kitsch. The stalls share space, oddly, with a pearl and jewellery market. The second floor sells clothes and accessories and the first is the place to go for small electronic items, including such novelties as watches that speak the time in Russian when you whistle at them.
4 Liulichang East of Qianmen Dajie This has the densest concentration of curio stores, with a great choice, particularly of art materials and chops, though prices are steep.
5 Ruifuxiang Clothes Store 5 Dazhalan, off Qianmen Dajie Silk and cotton fabrics and a good selection of shirts and dresses. Opening time: Mon– Sat 8.30am–8pm