Beijing offers several markets with a mind-boggling variety of goods, and inevitably there will come a day when you’re looking for souvenirs for the trip back home. Here is our pick of the best places to pick up something unique. As for everything is negotiable with vendors in many Chinese markets, remember to double-check what you are buying, and haggle for the best deal. 

Qianmen Dashilan’r Street 前门大栅栏（大拾栏儿）Qiánmén Dàshílànr
“大栅栏” is pronounced as dàzhàlán, but local people called it dàshílànr. Famous for its stores with an antique flavor, Qianmen Dashilan’r has one of the most ancient and distinctive commercial streets in Beijing with a history of more than 500 years. You can find all of those Beijing time-honored brands: shoes from Neiliansheng, silk fabric at Ruifuxiang, and hats from Majuyuan.

Qianmen, Xicheng District. 西城区前门 （6310 9680, nearest subway station: Line 2 Qianmen）

Wudaoying Hutong 五道营胡同 Wúdàoyíng hútóng
Compared to Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying Hutong is a must visit for a quieter and more relaxing affair. It has a great combination of modern and yet authentic, with plenty of ceramic shops, some industrial style cafes, and a few boutiques selling unique clothes, earrings, and handicrafts. It’s not a big shopping street, but definitely worth a visit to explore these old hutongs and find some gifts.

Wudaoying Hutong, Andingmen, Dongcheng District. 东城区安定门五道营胡同 （nearest subway station: Line 5 Yonghegong）

Nanluoguxiang 南锣鼓巷 Nánluógǔxiàng
With small and well preserved hutongs with a history of over 700 years dating back to Yuan Dynasty in 13th and 14th century, Nanluoguxiang has become the one of the most touristy areas in downtown Beijing. You can find a lot of interesting shops offering different kinds of snacks, Jewelry, handicrafts designed by local artists, trendy T-shirts that you can add every image on. The downside of it is you might need to deal with the crowd and long line.

Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District. 东城区南锣鼓巷 （nearest subway station: Line 6 Nanluoguxiang）

Wangfujing Shopping Street 王府井购物街 Wángfǔjǐng gòuwùjiē
Wangfujing is one of the busiest commercial and modern streets in Beijing with many local and international shopping malls such as Gongmei Mansion, Sun Dong An Plaza, and Malls at Oriental Plaza. It’s a shopper’s paradise where you can find paintings, local art, and unique crafts from all over China.

Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District. 东城区王府井大街 （nearest subway station: Line 1 Wangfujing）

Panjiayuan Antiques Market 潘家园旧货市场 pānjiāyuán jiùhuò shìchǎng
First opening in 1992 as a roadside showcase, Panjiayuan Antiques Market, as one of the oldest, biggest, and best-known markets in Beijing, has witnessed many changes in collectibles and craftsmanship here. This market offers all kinds of vintage finds and reproductions: Chinese calligraphy, painting, porcelain vases, old communist propaganda posters, and ancient furniture. 

Mon-Fri 8.30am-9pm, Sat 4.30am-9pm, Sun 6am-9pm (afterJul 29, it will close at 7.30pm). Off of Southeast Third Ring Road, West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District 朝阳区潘家园桥西边 (6774 1869, nearest subway station: Line 10 Panjiayuan)

Silk Market  秀水街 xiùshuǐ jiē
Under the framework of “One Belt, One Road”, the Silk Market has been renovated this April, with a few floors added onto the old building. Now it has an upmarket feel, which is reflected in the pricing of their merchandise. You can find almost everything you need, from name-brand clothes and bags to “authentic” Chinese silk. One thing you need to keep it in mind is that it’s unlikely that anything sold at the Silk Market is “real”, and the price is not fixed; the more you haggle, the better price you might get.

Daily 9am-9pm. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号 (5676 7766, nearest subway station: Line 1, YongAnLi)

Pearl Market 红桥市场 hóngqiáo shìchǎng
Smaller than the Silk Market, but you can find many touristy things here to take back home as gifts. As its name suggests, it does sell more pearls than other markets, but you’ll find other touristy souvenirs such as Chinese tchotchkes, beads, clothes, Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and some electronics. If you head up to the fifth floor balcony, you will have an amazing view of the Temple of Heaven. Don’t forget to bargain if necessary.

Daily 10am-7pm. Temple of Heaven, 46 Hongqiao Lu, Dongcheng District 天坛, 东城区红桥路46号 (6713 3354, nearest subway station: Line 5, TianTangDongMen)

 Zhongguancun E-Mall 中关村电子城 Zhōngguāncūn diànzǐchéng
Zhongguancun, also called “China’s Silicon Valley”, is Beijing’s high-tech center with many IT companies based there. The E-Mall sells different brands of computers, notebooks, and components at low prices. You can also find reasonably priced computer repair services. Many stores moved out due to last year’s renovation, but now you can still find a wide range of stores for everything related to electronics. Be aware that many brand products might not be real.

Daily 9am-6pm. 18 Zhongguancun Street, Handian District 海淀区中关村大街18号(8253 6688)

Maliandao Tea City 马连道茶城 Mǎliándào cháchéng
If you or any of your family member is a tea fan, then this place is a great place to get a glimpse into Chinese tea culture. As the largest tea market in northern China, the market specializes in anything associated with tea. You can find many different types of tea with prices ranging from dirt cheap to super expensive, as well as teacups and teapots. Here, some tea shops offer free tea for guests to taste first, and then you can bargain with the owner.

Daily. 8.30am-6pm. 11 Maliandao Road, Xicheng District. 西城区马连道路11号 (6334 2683)

Photos: pexels.

It’s that season again. We’ve all been there. No matter how many years you’ve lived in Beijing, inevitably there will come a day when someone will be visiting you and will want to shop for souvenirs to take home. Or, you’re going on a trip to visit family and friends and need to prepare “authentic China gifts”. Whichever the case, you should know where to go for your touristy needs.

Unfortunately for us, the Beijing government has been cracking down on markets because of all the wonderful fake stuff they used to sell.  In a few years, we might only be able to buy touristy things from museum boutiques and Page One—the horror!  For now, we still have these trusty markets:

Silk (Street) Market  秀水街 xiù shuǐ jiē
You might have heard that the Silk Market used to be an actual “street” (outdoors), but now it’s just a big department store. At the moment, it is the best place to go for touristy things—a fact you should keep in mind when planning your trip, as it’ll be crowded with tourist groups.

The Silk Market should have everything you need, from leather Diesel jackets to “authentic” Chinese silk.  There are plenty of vendors who sell the traditional touristy things, but also suitcases, shoes, purses, and even electronics. Keep in mind that it’s unlikely that anything sold at the Silk Market is “real” (in terms of brand merchandise), so bargaining is recommended.

The Silk Market is also a good place to go if you need to shop for “Western sizes” and prefer trying things on in person.

Daily 9am-9pm. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号 (nearest subway station: Line 1, YongAnLi)

Pearl Market 红桥市场 hóng qiáo shì chǎng
The Pearl Market is significantly smaller than the Silk Market, and is more comparable to the old Yashow market (though not nearly as good).  True to its name, it does showcase more pearls than other markets, but also features a variety of other touristy items. It does not have as many “knock-off” products as the Silk Market does, but it has its share of fake purses, electronics, and some shoes/clothes. Do remember to bargain.
Daily 9.30am-7pm. Temple of Heaven, 46 Hongqiao Lu, Chongwen District 天坛, 崇文区红桥路46号 (nearest subway station: Line 5, TianTangDongMen)

Alien Street Market 老番街市场 lǎo fān jiē shìchǎng
Also known as the Russian market (if asking in Chinese, you’ll find it better if you ask for yǎ bǎo lù de eluósī shìchǎng). The address below is for just one mall, the pleasingly-named “Alien Market”, but the entire area is a Russian town and serves as a collection of markets for Russian merchants, so the mall next to “Alien Market” as well as the one by McDonalds are also very popular shopping spots. The three markets sell electronics, a variety of teas, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, bags, suitcases, etc. Quality (all knock offs) and prices vary, and clearance items are clearly marked outside each booth. If you keep walking down Yabao Lu, you’ll find entire buildings filled with fashion wholesale boutiques, and there’s even one with only children’s clothes (walk towards Jianguomen)!

Bargaining at Russian markets might not go as smoothly if you’re not a Russian speaker, but it can be a more pleasant experience if you’re not a fan of bargaining in general.  Store owners are more relaxed, there are curtains where you can bargain in private, and the experience overall is very hushed and peaceful (compared to Chinese markets).  If you haven’t been yet, it’s a good idea to visit before the Beijing government succeeds in shutting down yet another wholesale market.
Laofanjie Shichang, Yabao Lu (south of Fulllink Plaza), Chaoyang District日坛公园雅宝路, 朝阳区雅宝路 (nearest subway station: Line 2/6, Chaoyangmen)

Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货市场 pān jiāyuán jiù huò shìchǎng
Panjiayuan is an interesting market even for locals because it has many sections to it, and as a result, the selection can change from week to week.  The best time to visit Panjiayuan is on the weekend, early in the morning on a nice day out when all the vendors are out and the streets leading to Panjiayuan are lined with peddlers selling everything from coconuts to touristy wares.  The actual market has store vendors that sell antiques and minority handicrafts, such as furniture, Buddhist statues, etc. There are booth vendors who sell art: e.g. oil and ink paintings, pottery, beaded jewelry, etc. There’s a second-hand book sale section with old communist propaganda posters, art books, and even comic books (yes, they sell English books too). Finally, there’s a flea market section where anyone (non-vendors) can go and sell anything they want.

A few blocks from Panjiayuan Antique Market is the infamous Glasses Market, where one can get a set of glasses (with lenses) for as little as RMB 200 (maybe even less). There are also legit art markets (genuine and thus expensive) nearby for serious art collectors.
Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 4.30am-6pm. Off of Southeast Third Ring Road, West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District 朝阳区潘家园桥西边 (nearest subway station: Line 10 Panjiayuan)

Photos: Jorge Cortell, Stephen Walli, Boff, Gareth Owens, H_H_Photography, 

The art of ceramics is so entwined with Chinese culture that porcelain is also called “china” in English. Although the modern Beijing has become a center of economics and politics, we are glad to still be able to find markets where this old art still flourishes.

Ceramics can be categorized into industrial products, such as bricks and tiles, and and art product, such as handmade pottery and fine porcelain. Chinese ceramics can also be identified as being from the north or the south, due to the differences in the raw materials caused by contrasting geology.

Here’s our list of the best places in the capital to find pottery and porcelain products.As you and your family explore the markets where they are sold, you can also take the opportunity to acquaint your kids with some Chinese history and culture. For example, the word “china” actually comes from the transliteration of Changnan, the old name for Jingde Town until the Song dynasty (960–1279), where some of the country’s best porcelain is made.

Happy exploring!

Minlong Pottery Market 闽龙陶瓷市场

This large-scale market sells pottery, cloisonne enamel, porcelain and many other Chinese art works. A wide variety of goods on displayed at the front of the market, with more goods stored for wholesale at the back. These vendors are also popular among locals shopping for building material, such as floor tiles.

Daily 8am-6:30pm. East part of Shilihe Lu, Chaoyang Street (6747 767) 北京市朝阳区十里河建材一条街东段

Beijing Curio City 北京古玩城

You can find historic and artistic ceramic pieces in this four-floor building among many other antique goods such as Chinese paintings, antique furniture, bone carvings, pearls and jade products. You may spot some of the best Jinde Town porcelain and tri-colored glazed pottery, tangsancai (唐三彩) among numerous counterfeits. Do not assume that you’ll always get genuine antiques at a low price; this is also a tourist attraction after all.

Daily 9:30am-6:30pm. 21 Dongsanhuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6774 7711) 朝阳区东三环南路21号

Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货市场

Within walking distance of Beijing Curio City, Panjiayuan Antique Market is packed with Chinese folk culture. Ceramics take up most of the space in the northwestern section and the market seems to have something for everyone, from casual visitor to serious buyer. Even Hilary Clinton has paid a visit. Kids may also be interested in the Chinese paintings, works of calligraphy, shadow play or ancient coins on display.

Daily 6:30am-4:30pm. 18 Huawei Li, Chaoyang District (6774 1869) 朝阳区华威里18号
Liangma Collection Market 亮马收藏品市场

This market is similar in style to Panjiayuan Antique Market but is much more conveniently located near the embassy district. Prices are a little higher though, probably because it is popular with foreigners.

Daily 9:30am-6:30pm. 27 Liangma Lu, Chaoyang District (6462 1625) 朝阳区亮马桥路27号

Beijing Ladies’ Street 女人街

Ladies’ Street is located not far from the Lufthansa Center. Among the accessories, bikinis, clothes and women’s products you’d expect to find here, given the name, you can also find dazzling modern and antique porcelain products, pottery vases, sculptures and tea pots. Why not reward yourself with a manicure or a massage there after shopping?

Daily 10am-7pm (for most of the stores). 9 Maizidian Xilu, Chaoyang District (6462 6636) 朝阳区麦子店西路9号

Photo by Helga’s Lobster Stew (Flickr)