Spreading out all over Beijing like an aggressive fungus is a petite store called Miniso: the Holy Grail of Scrooges, and the lord and savior of broke people. Whether you are a penniless teenager, or have simply already spent all your earnings on impulse purchases you don´t need (shame on you), Miniso is here to save us all! 

Now that it´s summer, there is no time like the present to head on down to Miniso to check out the new summer collection. So, grab that lonesome RMB 50 you have left, or are willing to spend, and come shopping with us.

Water Bottles 

Always stay hydrated with these cool water bottles. Whether you like Sesame Street, Pink Panther, or strange little yellow chickens, these water bottles are the right purchase for you. There are various prints to choose from, so even if you prefer plain bottles (why would you though? Pink Panther is awesome!), you can get your hands on one of these beauties. RMB 15-19.90 

Lunch Box 

Need a new lunch box to go with that bottle? Transport your snacks in style with this sassy bear-print container. There is something for everyone with a range of colors to select from. No matter what your choice of snack, be it fruit or chips, (I see you, but same bro), this box will always keep your selection fresh! RMB 10 

Sunscreen 

Get ready for the summer and take care of all the family’s skin needs this season with these affordable sunscreens. Apply generously, protect your skin, and don’t burn up under the hot sun. Save yourselves some renminbi and grab this bargain. RMB 39.9 

Mosquito Repellent 

As important as sunscreen is mosquito repellent. Don’t get stung this summer! Avoid squealing kids, itchy bumps, scratching, and scarring. You and the family don’t need the stress. Use these sprays to fend those pesky mites without breaking the bank. It is always better to be safe than sorry. RMB 15 

Fans 

Miniso has a wide selection of fans to choose from. If you fancy having a bit of fun with your fan purchase, you will be spoiled for choice. If it’s not already hot enough for you, go for one with the cheeky devil horns or get cute and grab yourself the one with the attached bear ears. Plain Jane? There are a ton of more simple designs to select. Acquire a fresh breeze and stay cool. RMB 49.9  

Flip-flops  

Beijing always has very hot summers. You and the family can avoid stifled feet and smelly odors by trading in your sneakers for a pair of flip-flops with a cool print and plenty of wriggle room. Trust me, there is nothing worse than sweaty feet for you or the kids. Get summer ready and sport a beach-in-the-city look! RMB19.9 

Sunglasses 

Always stay cool with these awesome sunglasses. Protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays (yes, we love the sun, but we need to be careful), and please the inner diva in your kids with these fun and daring sunglasses. All this fierceness for mere pocket change. RMB 10 

Hats 

What are a pair of awesome sunglasses without an awesome bucket hat? Protect the family from heat stroke with a very fashionable clothing item. With so much choice the only problem to be concerned with is which one to get!  So, get choosing one, (or two, or three, darn it! – I want to have them all!). RMB 35 

Goggles 

I´ll tell you what you don´t want to happen under any circumstances. Remember trying your best to avoid getting soap into your little ones’ eyes during bath time? The same can be said for wanting to protect your kids’ eyes from chlorine when swimming. Avoid irritable eyes and strops by the pool. Don’t let anything get in the way of your swimming time, and don a pair of these goggles. RMB 19.9 

Bags 

I wonder where all your new purchases will go? How will you ever carry them all home? I have the answer – one of these funky rucksacks! You have a variety to choose from and they are all perfect for a nice day at the pool or beach. RMB 29.90 

And that’s a wrap, ladies and gentlemen. Get your Miniso on this summer and walk away with nothing but awesome bargains. Deck out you and the kids for next to nothing and spread the word. Your friends will thank you!  

Photos: Lian Sossdorf, Pixabay

Just recently, I went to several Philippine islands for a short spring jaunt. I wasn’t really even planning to go to the beach because my mind was conditioned to do a hike… but who could resist the sparkling sunshine and sea breeze on the beach? So instead of traveling to central China, I flew to Asia’s capital of fun (that’s Manila, in case you didn’t know!), and there I swam with whale sharks and did snorkeling and kayaking in a less-touristy lagoon (more about that in my upcoming article).

Anyway, I went to Decathlon and Miniso a few days before my trip and bought several items which would prove to be very useful in my island adventure.

Aqua shoes
RMB 30

This was the best buy I’ve had so far at Decathlon. These lightweight aqua shoes can double as flip-flops or walking shoes when you just want to stroll on the beach. What’s nice is that the rubber soles, despite being thin, are quite strong and slip-proof. They would really help when you walk on a stony beach floor. They’re also handy when you’re snorkeling, but let me remind you that as much as possible, don’t step on corals.

Snorkeling mask
RMB 200

Snorkeling is a fun activity in itself, but when you get a full view of the things underwater, it will be more enjoyable. This mask removes the need to put on swimming goggles and a snorkel separately. Although bigger than normal swimming goggles, this mask isn’t bulky and heavy since you can detach the snorkel tube from the mask itself. And what’s more, you can breathe using your nose, which makes it easier especially for kids. Also consider: regular snorkels (RMB 20-50), goggles (RMB 60-130)

READ MORE: What Items Do You Need for Your Travel First Aid Kit?

Waterproof duffel bag
RMB 90 (10 liters), RMB 130 (30 liters)

When you go island hopping, better have your essentials dry and usable. A tote bag can work but there will be times that you need to jump from the boat (which happened to me a lot during my trip). Luckily I have a waterproof duffel bag that can store a bottle of water, beach towel, phones and other small gadgets, and my travel first aid kit. You can also use this bag as a pillow! Inside the bag, you can use ziplock bags to store your sunscreens to prevent accidental spilling.

Waterproof smartphone case
RMB 15 (soft case), RMB 50 (hard case)

As a travel writer, I always make sure that my phone is ready to take quick snapshots of what’s happening around me. Of course, being underwater is not a big deal, thanks to this waterproof smartphone case. It’s really effective and the only instance that my phone gets wet is when I remove it from the case after swimming. Make sure that the case fits enough to your phone; otherwise you need to press the plastic a little bit against the camera so your photos or videos don’t get blurred or defocused. If you’re into diving, level it up and get a bulkier smartphone case. Just remember to attach the case to a quick-dry lanyard so that you can easily fasten it to your hand.

Miniso wet wipes/tissues
RMB 15 for a pack of 5

Whenever you feel sticky, or when you’re ready to eat lunch, or when you just want to clean up stuff, these wet wipes/tissues come in very handy.

Wait, where are the other essentials?

The other essentials like health kits that include sunscreens and medication; towels and clothes; and accessories like hats, sunglasses, and flip-flops, are really a given when you go swimming. But it helps to have a checklist of other beach items that you can get easily from your home, just like the one I saw from Travelingmom.com (see below or download the list here), especially when you have limited preparation time before your swimming adventure.

Meanwhile, you can bring beach toys like sand tools and pails from China — but hey, you can rent or buy them in local stores.

One thing that I’d really say is an essential is to always bring a plastic bag. You DON’T need to buy a new one; just recycle whatever you get from local stores. If you see a biodegradable bag, then all the better. After swimming, you can put your soiled beach attire in the bag while you’re on the way to your hotel. Hang those bags dry afterward and reuse them when you want to buy a souvenir. Then when you’re ready to leave the beach, reuse the bags to compartmentalize your items in your luggage.

Photos: Decathlon Singapore (aqua shoes, snorkeling mask, waterproof bag), Walmart.com, travelingmom.com, Cheonsa Diana; Oleg Magni and Adrianna Calvo via Pexels.com

Have you got all the items that you need for your Chinese New Year travel? If not, you still have a chance to buy them on Taobao and JD.com before kuaidi and other delivery services get disrupted next week (mainly because many delivery men will go home next week).

Don’t Get Hungry and Thirsty…

Eco-friendly food containers and recyclable plastic containers
Prices vary but you can buy them in a set of 10 to 50 pcs.

It’s easy to buy food when we travel… and it’s also easy to throw away containers and plastic bags. Make Mother Earth happy when you travel and produce less waste.

Use stackable and recyclable plastic containers for saucy food, while eco-friendly paper boxes are great for snacks and other finger foods.

Folding water bottles 
From RMB 35

It’s compact and can fit into small bags. You can refill it with water when you get to restaurants or hotels.

Travel Essentials: Packs, Power, and Other Items

If time is running out, a quick run to the nearest mall will help as they have tons of items to help you in your short CNY jaunt with the family. Our team, being avid trippers, has written several articles about travel essentials.

Packing for a Family of Three

Summertime Essentials on the Cheap at Miniso

Travel Stories: Finding Your Power Source

Have a Safe Trip!

Beside the travel essentials listed above, it’s also important to get vaccinated, especially if you and your family will be going abroad. We’ve recently written an article about vaccinations and you can read it below.

Doctor’s Corner: Have an Extra Dose of Travel Preparedness, Get Vaccinated Before Leaving

Photos: TheDigitalWay via Pixabay, Taobao

In case you haven’t noticed summertime is here. That not only means fun in the sun, spending countless hours poolside when the AQI permits, but also that it’s time to get your essentials. In our opinion, there is no better place to pick this stuff up at a decent price than Miniso.

And while we were all distracted by the destruction of Sanlitun Bar Street, we failed to notice that another new addition to this rapidly growing chain (or empire), specializing in seemingly Japanese knockoff goods, popped up in Sanlitun Village, across from Sundan and next door to Moka Bros.

Don’t get us wrong – when we say knockoff products, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the splendor that is Miniso. We in fact fully embrace it, especially when it comes to picking up the essentials that can help keep your kids fresh, protected, and looking good this summer. Here’s some of this season’s offerings that are going for dirt cheap prices, and will help you save a little of that hard earned cash for something more worthwhile. Dare we say something like a seasonal pool membership… now wouldn’t that be nice?

Cartoon Popsicle Molds (RMB 10)
Popsicles are an essential treat for us when summer hits the Jing. Not that getting one from a convenience store is that much of a hassle, but it’s just more fun to make them yourself. We recommend filling them with Sprite or fruit juice, then throwing in a couple of gummy worms for good measure. Trust us; your kids will love it!

Kid’s Swimming Goggles (RMB 15)
Even if your little one is a Michael Phelps in the making, that doesn’t mean that you need to spend a fortune on Speedo brand goggles, while he or she splashes about like a maniac. With a variety of styles to choose from, these aren’t only an essential and stylish accessory for “chillaxing” in the shallow end, but will also prevent that nasty burning eye sensation from over-chlorination.

Kid’s Sunglasses (RMB 15)
UV-rays can do significant damage to your eyes over a prolonged period of time. That’s just a fact that you have to deal with when your fertile planet is in constant rotation around the sun. So protect your kids with these thrifty selections that range from cutely cartoonish to downright sassy. Our personal favorites are the lips and teeth combo because nothing else quite scares those damaging rays away like some luscious lips with some pearly whites poking out.

Sandals (RMB 19.9)
Coming in a variety of characters from Disney and Cartoon Network, these will catch some envious stares from both young and old as you saunter about on the hot pool deck.

Water Bottles (RMB 15)
Make sure to stay hydrated with these attractive water bottles, that not only say “hey, I’m here to party,” but also maybe, “I like to binge watch Adventure Time, and am against the use of disposable plastic water bottles because they are one of the leading pollutants in the world today.” Environmentally conscious hydration is a modern necessity that we must all abide by, and these cute and stylish water bottles might even help with that.

Sunscreen (RMB 25)
If you’ve lived here long enough and have skin that requires the use of sunscreen, then you’ve probably noticed that there is a small monopoly over the stuff as it is mostly used by people who want to remain as pale as possible, and not because they are goth or are particularly prone to sunburns. Regardless, the stuff can be quite pricey. That’s why we were particularly pleased to discover how cheap it is here. We will likely be using it on the regular, though we can’t currently attest to its effectiveness as we only just purchased the stuff. If you want a more well-known brand, they also sell Nivea of varying SPFs for RMB 49.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker

One of the many benefits of living abroad is how easy it is to make friends and the plethora of social events. In my daily life, I get to speak with many mothers. Many have been here longer than me while others have been here just a few weeks. I remember during my first few weeks in Beijing I thought that the supermarket under Kempinski hotel was the only one available to me. Boy was I wrong. There are supermarkets galore! But where to go and how to find them?  Here is a roundup of the supermarkets and food markets that I have found. Peace is found when you know where to go for your weekly shopping. Don’t be fooled though, in Beijing you usually need to go to a few different supermarkets to get everything you need.

Jinkelong Supermarket ~ This supermarket chain is Chinese, and has almost anything you might desire. It helps, also, that it is very cheap. The market activity can be quite a spectacle sometimes with ladies shouting for people to buy their milk and yogurt. The market also has a website and you can order your groceries online, but the site is all in Chinese.

Carrefour Supermarket ~ A great all around supermarket with Chinese and western supplies. Carrefour sells clothes, furniture, and appliances. A great place to get your items when you first arrive and are looking for the essentials, to tide you over. Carrefour has a APP and online store, but delivery is spotty at times.

WalMart Supermarket ~ Has plenty of stores all over town and is stocked with western selections. Though it is a good place to get the basics when starting your life in Beijing, don’t expect the all-American Walmart experience. The have an APP and will deliver.

Wu Mart Supermarket ~ The dingy version of Walmart. The local supermarket were you can get all your daily needs. They have an APP and a website. I have not tried their delivery service.

IKEA ~ My safe haven during the first few crazy weeks in Beijing. They have everything you need and more. I let my child play around in the kids section and then went to the restaurant for a cheap lunch. The little grocery store past the check out counter has good deals on smoked salmon and other western foods. Sign up for a family membership card for more great deals. The children can play in the kids area while you shop as long as they are over four-years old. IKEA delivers and has guys put together the furniture for a small price. These furniture assembly persons work clean and efficiently.

METRO Supermarket ~ A new gem in my supermarket days, this is a wholesale grocery store that sells everything you need. The store is also very clean and calm. You need to create a membership card but this is very easy! Shop over RMB 2000 and get same-day home delivery!

April Gourmet ~ A international supermarket with high prices. While I usually visit this store for certain items like sugar free yogurt, almost all your western grocery supplies can be found here.

Jenny Lou’s ~ While this international supermarket has high prices, Jenny Lou’s also has fresh baked pretzels to make up for it. You can shop till you drop and they will deliver. Be sure to check the expiration dates on goods since sometimes they are expired.

MINISO Store ~ The closest thing I could find to a Pound or Dollar store. Some great prices for daily essentials, office supplies and some small fun kids toys. MINISO stores are opening all over Beijing.

Sanyuanli Market ~ A food market with fruit, vegetables, and international food stalls. Sanyuanli Market is a great place to get some hard to find foods and fresh herbs like rosemary and basil. Find a stall and keep going every week, they will get to know you and be more fair with their prices. I usually get all my nuts and dried fruits here. All the way in the back they sell kitchen wares. There are more food markets over town, find a list here.

BHG Market Place ~ An upscale supermarket where you can find almost everything you need – but for a high price. Stores are clean and neat. This chain store has a good selection of imported foods and great customer service.

• A list of food markets and resources can be found here.
• More supermarkets and addresses can be found here.
• Addresses for Carrefour and Walmart Supermarkets locations can be found here.
• Another helpful list for shopping can be found here.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of last year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.