Newcomers to Beijing usually find themselves hunting for bargains at three main shopping spots: Hongqiao (Pearl) Market, Silk Street Market and Yashow Market. They feature, among other items, clothing and accessories, shoes, silk, jewelry, and of course Chinese souvenirs. While those markets have their merits, here are several off-thebeaten-path markets worth exploring. Shoppers should brush up on their Chinese language skills before heading there, and bring plenty of cash (no credit cards accepted here).
Tianyi Market 天意市场 (阜外店)
Located off of West Second Ring Road, it’s best to think of this market as a “little things” wholesale market. It’s not an apparel market (though there are some clothes) but every other little thing you can imagine seems to be sold here, from Christmas decorations (at any time of year), to bags, silk flowers, toys and more. Bargaining is key and buying in larger quantities ensures cheaper prices. They have a considerable selection of red heart-shaped wedding paraphernalia, which is also a great way to stock up for next year’s Valentine’s Day. You may very well need to go back too; it is impossible to peruse this market in its entirety in a single day.
Guanyuan Bird and Fish Market 官园花鸟鱼虫市场
Ever wanted to know where they sell those walnuts that Chinese people spin in their palms that are purportedly good for circulation? Well, this small but reputable market is located just west of Zizhu Yuan (Purple Bamboo Park). Accessible by descending a flight of stairs from the sidewalk, it features several sellers of the famous walnuts, thus guaranteeing competitive prices. Look for a pair that are as close to the same size and shape as your eye can ascertain and then bargain ruthlessly. This market also has an impressive selection of aquarium fish, birds, and even a cricket seller with his own small glassed-in shop that sings with cricket calls as soon as you enter.
Jiuxian Qiao Building Materials and Decorations Market 酒仙桥建材装饰市场
Just past the 798 Art District, hugging the Airport Expressway, is a market that could be the indoor/outdoor equivalent to China’s Home Depot. Remove the “big box” element and all the rest is there: renovation materials, building supplies, furniture, paint, wood, glass and light fixtures, metal pipes, etc. There’s even a fabulous tape vendor with stacks of colorful duct tape from floor to ceiling. Tucked in the same building lot at the back is a separate fruit and vegetable market with inexpensive fresh foods; you can stock up on your household refinishing goods and still get what you need for dinner.
Zoo Market 动物园服装批发市场
One street south of Beijing Zoo and Xizhimen Waidajie, just behind the bus station, there are several wholesale clothing markets, collectively known as the Zoo Market. The most popular markets are Julong, Dong Ding, Tianlegong and Shiji Tianle. All carry slightly different wares but equally great bargains. Collectively, this is touted as the largest wholesale clothing market in northern China. The prices are cheap and generally non-negotiable, but there’s no option to try anything on. It could take you a whole afternoon to peruse just one building, so don’t go expecting to see it all. This is the kind of market in which you rarely see the same item twice and it pays to buy what you like immediately rather than imagining you’ll go back for it. You simply may never find it again!
Ladies’ Street 女人街市场
Laitai Flower Market 莱太花卉市场
After “Lucky Street” was torn down a couple years ago, many people assumed the markets of this part of town had moved. The big electronics market has dispersed (there’s still a small one on Maizidian Jie called 258 Electronics Market), but on the adjacent Ladies’ Street, there’s still a market that features clothing and small boutique fashions. There’s also a small mobile phone section and some electronics shops upstairs. This market is in the same structure as the indoor Laitai Flower Market, a huge hangar-style building with house plants, garden gear, specialty furniture, small pets (like fish, hamsters and turtles), and some dishware and home decorations, including pottery and prints to hang on your wall.
Huaxiang Wholesale Plants Market 花乡花卉批发市场
On the southeast side of the city near South Fourth Ring Road, there’s a wholesale plants market that is truly worth the journey. There are three airport-sized hangars filled with every type of house plant you can imagine at more than half the prices found at Lai Tai. If you’re stocking up to fill your house with many natural air filtering plants, this is the place to go. The outdoor area features stacks of extremely cheap pots and yard decorations. You can also negotiate drivers to deliver your goods right to your door. Just be warned: The bathrooms are rural-style latrine pits that might turn your stomach!
Dazhong Sijin Wuxing Market 大钟寺金五星市场
Located on the south side of the Northwest Third Ring Road, this enormous market is tucked away behind fancy furniture stores that line the Third Ring Road. Here you’ll find renovation materials, household supplies (pots and silverware), hardware, kids’ and adult clothing (albeit a limited selection), toys, stationery, electronics, tea services, and more. If you’re looking for inexpensive camping gear, this is the market for you. They sell tents and roll-up sleeping mats, all obtainable (through bargaining) for under RMB 150. This is one of those “hard-to-classify” markets, however, as there’s even a musical instrument dealer tucked in one of the back corners. On the journey out, note the service providers for doors, windows, painting, air conditioner installation, and more lining the roadway. They’re all geared for your renovation dreams.
Panjiayuan Market 潘家园旧货市场
A very popular market among collectors and antique dealers is located over on East Third Ring Road. This market features furniture and knickknacks in dazzling displays with over 3,000 individual stalls covering 48,500sqm. New items mixed in with old items, it’s the outdoor Chinese version of a flea market. This is also where Chinese ethnic minority artisans sell their wares. On nice days, the uncovered outdoor area features goods laid out in neat rows on blankets. Sometimes you can find valuables here, but don’t be fooled by the assurance of an item’s authenticity; imitations are rampant. Through an archway, behind the covered stalls, is a used books and magazines section. They have a healthy collection of foreign language titles as well, and sellers are also happy to point out their waiyu selection.
Sanyuanli Market 三元里市场
Located inside the Third Ring Road at Sanyuandong Qiao lies this popular food market along a narrow corridor set diagonally across a city block. The market sells fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, and Chinese-style breads. There are also some individual little shops that sell dairy, cheeses and imported foreign goods at great prices. Especially exciting is the availability of fresh herbs like thyme, dill and rosemary, as well as some hard-to-find fruits and vegetables like avocadoes and artichokes for reasonable prices. This market also has a few household goods stalls and a pet food stall at the end. Its appeal is its compact nature, as opposed to other fresh food markets that are often overwhelming in terms of sheer size. What’s more, it’s nice to get some foreign goods in a market-style environment.
Resources
Tianyi Market 天意市场 (阜外店)
Mon-Sun 7am-6pm. 259 Fuchengmen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6831 7199) 阜成门外大街259号
Guanyuan Bird and Fish Market 官园花鸟鱼虫市场
Mon-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-6.30pm. 5 Zizhuyuanlu, Guangyuan Dasha, Guangyuan Zha (northeast corner of Purple Bamboo Park) 海淀区紫竹院路广源闸5号广源大厦 (紫竹桥东北角)
Jiuxian Qiao Building Materials and Decorations Market 酒仙桥建材装饰市场
Mon-Sun 8am-5.30pm. Jiuxian Qiao Beilu (800m east of Dashanzi), Chaoyang District (6431 3240/3241) 朝阳区酒仙桥北路
Zoo Market 动物园服装批发市场
Mon-Sun 5am-4.30pm. Xizhimenwai Dajie (south of Beijing Zoo), Xicheng District (8837 8056) 西城区西直门外大街(北京动物园路南)
Julong 动物园聚龙
Directions: Take subway Line 4 to Beijing Zoo Station. Take exit C, walk east about 100m in the direction of KFC and McDonald’s.
Dong Ding 动物园东鼎
Directions: From Beijing Zoo subway station exit C, head towards east towards Julong and Dong Ding will appear on the right-hand side.
Tianlegong 动物园天乐宫
Directions: From Julong, head east and turn left (south) at the crossroad; walk 50m.
Shiji Tianle 动物园世纪天乐
Directions: From Beijing Zoo subway station exit C, head east towards Julong. Shiji Tianle is on the right-hand side, just west of Dong Ding.
Ladies Street Market 女人街服装市场
Mon-Sun 9am-7pm. Tianze Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区天泽路
Laitai Flower Market 莱太花卉市场
Mon-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-6.30 pm. 9 Maizidian Xilu, Chaoyang District (6463 6145) 朝阳区麦子店西路9号
Huaxiang Wholesale Plants Market 花乡花卉批发市场
Hua Xiang Yuquanying Lijiaoqiao (southwestern corner), Fengtai District 丰台区花乡玉泉营立交桥西南角
Dazhong Sijin Wuxing Market 大钟寺金五星市场
Daily 8.30am-6pm. 118 Zhongguancun Donglu, Haidian District 海淀区中关村东路118号(近联想桥)
Panjiayuan Market 潘家园旧货市场
Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 4.30am-6pm. Off of Southeast Third Ring Road, West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District (6775 2405) 朝阳区潘家园桥西边
Sanyuanli Market 三元里市场
Mon-Sun 6am-5pm. 2 Xindongli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区新源里2号
This article is excerpted from beijingkids May 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.