shopping in beijing
Throughout nearly all markets in Beijing, haggling is essential. Especially when browsing through large, "touristy" shopping areas for common items, do not put it beneath your dignity to start bargaining at 15% of the vendor's initial asking price. After spending some time haggling, never hesitate to threaten walking away, as this is often the quickest way to see a vendor lower his or her prices to a reasonable level. Buying in bulk or in groups may also lower the price. Beware that if you start your bargaining at too low of a price, such as 5% of the asking price, the vendor may just immediately give up on trying to sell the item to you. How high or low the vendor sets the asking price depends on the customer, the vendor, the product's popularity, and even the time of day. Vendors also tend to target visible minorities more, such as Caucasians or African Americans.
The true clothing market where the Chinese buy, is located in Xizhi Men, next to the Zoo. directions: in front of the Zoo there is a new huge building, which is just another big market, BUT behind it, there is the wholesale market, with the best prices, almost no need to bargain, and a lot of genuine goods (clothing).
The Malls at Oriental Plaza (东方新天地) - East of Tian'anmen Square, next to Wangfujing Street. Shopping area (expensive) but provides you with a lot of buying opportunities from diamonds, to real (affordable) DVD's, (international) Music CD's and food.
Wangfujing (王府井大街)- where many of the higher end shops are located
Xidan(西单) - West of Tiananmen square. Several large malls near a substation, and look for the market, it's quite good - bargaining is a must (sellers even enjoy it)!
Golden Resources Shopping Mall near Yuanda Bridge / Yuanda Road -- Located by West Fourth Ring Road (Xisihuan) in Haidian District, Beijing, the mall covers 680.000 square meters, the second largest in Asia. Multiple stories, snaking alleys, infinite shopping opportunities... you get the gist.
China World Trade Center (Guomao) -- here you will find a lot of expensive stores and some international convenience stores.
Silk Street or the Silk Market (秀水街 Xiùshuǐ Jiē) at 8 East Xiùshuǐ Street， Jiànguómén Wài Dàjiē (建国门外大街,东秀水街8号). This building is located east of Tian'anmen square. It was reopened in March 2005 as a 5 story air conditioned building selling entirely for foreign visitors. You can find luggage, leather bags, electronics, sporting goods, jewellery, clothing and Chinese artwork. This location caters entirely to foreign customers. However, compared to other Asian markets in, say, Hong Kong and Bangkok, this market may be overpriced. Counterfeit Polo Ralph Lauren golf shirts in Hong Kong are roughly 30 Hong Kong dollars (US$4) while at the Silk Market, the general starting price is roughly US$50 and you would be lucky after lengthy bartering to get the shirt for US$20. Again, generally way overpriced for knock-off goods, and tourists might want to consider spending their money elsewhere.
SanLiTun YaShou Clothing Market -- Located at 58 Gongti Beilu, this is very similar to Silk Street (see above) with slightly better prices. Its less touristy than Silk Street, and prices will start far closer to a reasonable sale price. The net result is the bargaining is far less agressive and you will probably feel more comfortable with your purchases here.
For the more technologically-oriented tourist, Zhong Guan Cun (中关村）is a must. Located a couple miles from Tsinghua University, this area is dubbed the "Silicon Valley of China." There are a number of large electronics malls that sell everything from phones to computer parts. The largest and most well-known include Hilon (海龙) and Dinghao (鼎好). Pirated software and DVDs are not hard to find here. Many of the shady characters outside the malls shouting 'DVD!' also sell pornography (illegal in China).
Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their stores in Beijing are located at Building 4, Entrance 5, Nancun, Madian (Metro 2 to Zhishuitan, bus 315, 344 or 345 to Madian, store is located southside of Bei Sanhuan, west of Madian intersection) and at Jinzhiqiao Dasha, Guomen, Chaoyang District (west entrance of China International Trade Center, continue west along northside of street to east side of second block of buildings).
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