Though Taobao abounds with costume options, there’s nothing quite like hunting for the perfect costume in person and trying it on for size. Here are a number of affordable local options to turn your little one into the perfect witch, zombie, or pop-culture reference:

Kids Plus
This Shunyi toy store usually stocks Halloween costumes for less than RMB 200, including witches’ robes, masks, and capes. Daily 9am-7pm. 701 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District (8046 4572) 顺义区天竺房地产开发区荣祥广场701号

Tianyi Market 天意市场
Located in Fuchengmen, Tianyi Market is the largest wholesale market in Beijing. You’ll find masks, pumpkin lanterns, wigs, decorations, hats, spooky candles, full costumes (including witches’ robes) and more packed into over 11,000sqm of space and 1,550 stalls. Daily 7.30am-5.30pm. 259 Fuchengmen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6832 7607) 西城区阜成门外大街259号

Tian Le Toy Market 红桥天乐玩具市场
Located within Hongqiao Market, Tian Le has more than 300 stalls with similar offerings as Tianyi Market. Be warned; you will be overcharged unless you bargain hard. Daily 8.30am-7pm. 136 Fahuasi Jie, Chongwen District (6711 7499) 崇文区法华寺街136号

Tot to Teen 红马车儿童用品商店
This clothing store for ages 0-15 stocks Halloween costumes averaging RMB 150, including pumpkin heads, Batman, Spiderman, capes, and the Seven Dwarves. 1) Daily 9am-7pm. 703 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District (8046 4419, tot-to-teen@hotmail.com) 顺义区天竺房地产开发区荣祥广场703号; 2) Daily 10am-7pm. Stall 102, 30 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6417 9640) 朝阳区三里屯路30号102商店

This is an excerpt from the Fright Night article that appeared on page 38-39 of the beijingkids October 2013 issue

Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com

Photo by Mitchell Pe Masilun