It’s been almost three years since I first arrived in Beijing and I still don’t truly understand how the shopping here works.

Take their discounts for instance. The first time I went shopping in an outlet mall, I was so absolutely thrilled to see the sign that read 打9折 (dǎ 9 zhé), thinking it meant 90% off. Yes, I know you’re probably laughing at me right now, but where I come from, and from what I’ve experienced in other parts of the world, you put the sale price out there as 10% off, not that 90% of the price remains…

So that’s Tip 1: The smaller the number listed on the sale sign, the better!

In effect, 3折 means 70% off as compared to 5折 which is 50% off.

Even thinking about it now still confuses me. But you know what they say, practice makes perfect, so take this 11.11 sales season to practice the math!

Tip 2: Packages/Membership cards can be worth it, if you negotiate

I am a huge proponent of packages, or 套餐 (tàocān) as they call it here (literal translation: combo or set meal). Sometimes, they’ll offer a membership or VIP card where you place a lump sum, which will entitle your future purchases to be at a discounted rate They call this 充卡 (chōng kǎ) or 会员卡 (huìyuán kǎ).

I know many expats, such as fellow editor Mina Yan, steer clear of these as it seems too much of a complication and commitment, but a little understanding and research here will save you a tidy sum!

Take manicures, for instance. Most of us get one done every month or even bi-weekly. The average price of a gel manicure at Alice Beauty is RMB 120, but if you top up a card with RMB 3,000 each manicure is at 85折. Quick pop quiz: How much discount is that? Answer: It’s 15% off, so each manicure is only RMB 102! RMB 18 off each month will add up to over RMB 200 in a year, and that’s just manicures. Double that for pedicures and facials and you’ll be saving up to RMB 1,000!

Two follow-up tips regarding packages/membership cards:

2a. Never buy a package before you’ve tried a place at least three times – the first and second time might be a fluke, but third time’s the charm. If a place hasn’t let you down after three visits, you’ll likely be returning there more often, so an investment to stretch your dollar is worth considering.

2b. Only buy a package/card at reputable chains that have been around for a while and, ideally, come recommended by trusted friends. At the very least, look up the place on Dianping to make sure they are listed, licensed and with good reviews.

My favorite example of membership cards that are worth your money are for restaurants you frequent. In my family’s case, we purchased a membership card for RMB 1,000 at Pizza Marzano and get RMB 50 off with every RMB 200 spent at the restaurant – that’s 25% off! Just remember to tell them you’re a member before you foot the bill!

Tip 3: Wait a while. The deal will still be there.

Once you start listening to their sales pitch, it’s likely to sound more and more like a good deal. But any good salesperson will tell you to never to accept the first offer. And that still rings true here. No matter how much they try to convince you that you should make the purchase that very day, saying that they can’t guarantee the same price next time, it’s highly improbable that that is the case. Every time I’ve stood my ground and asked to go home to check the budget with my husband, the price has been the same, or even better, when I returned.

I don’t waste my time even considering a package for something I don’t use/need, no matter how much of a deal it is, because 90% off something you don’t use is still 10% you could use on something you actually want. So firmly say you’re not interested, or if you are, then ask to sleep it over and come back to them. Even better, work out how much you’re willing to pay and then go to them with an offer. More likely than not, they’ll take it.

I made it clear to my hair stylist that I wasn’t going to spend more than RMB 500 on my hair every month, so he let me get a card for RMB 3000 that he promised will last at least six months, and gives me 50% off all hair-related services! It would have lasted almost eight months had I not chosen to dye my hair again…

What are you tips for smarter shopping here in the capital? Share them with us in the comments below!

KEEP READING: Is NUO’s Brunch Worth the Price?

Images: Pexels

The stories around town are so many that our fingertips aren’t equipped to handle the numerous leads we source from WeChat groups and the web. If you have any promotion, news, or just gossip please send an email to webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Here’s a list of seven things that we found were interesting and worth a try.

1. Fresh Prints App
Your kid is cute. You snap thousands of pics with your iPhone. Great – you saved that memory! But are you going to buy a digital printer so you can transfer your pics to your computer then to print on a below par printer? No, no, no. Just use Fresh Prints! Fresh Prints is a WeChat photo printing service that prints your phone based photos and delivers them at you doorstep in three days. Payment is through WeChat Wallet.

2. Hatchery Drinks Deal for Moms & Dads if You BYOC
If you Bring Your Own Child, yes, that’s an actual thing at the Hatchery. Before you laugh out loud and tell your friends about this concept here’s what you’ll get out of it. The deal is Mondays to Fridays moms (or dads) get 50 percent off coffee, juice, and house wine if you BYOC. Friends that tag along also get a 25 percent discount on the said items. Add them on WeChat to get their menu prices.

3. UCAR Wants All the Pregnant Ladies
Don’t worry about your aching hips! If you like them you’ll probably ring them every time you head to the hospital for another check up since UCAR is offering elite services. Uber’s China competition is rolling out the red carpet treatment for their pregnant women customers by ensuring that drivers have basic first aid training on how to help pregnant women and a minimum of three years driving experience. That’s not all, each car will be driving at a max of 60km/h and temperatures inside the car should be maintained at 22℃.

4. Ritan Park Offers Granny Kit Rentals
Free rentals at Ritan Park include an umbrella, a walker and… a sewing kit? Ritan knows what the people want! You can rent a wheelchair for RMB 200 and take it back. Not sure about anyone else but that sewing kit is the best news, as heading over to that one trusted tailor to fix up very simple things is a nuisance. The prices for different rentals can be found at the front gate’s noticeboard. The noticeboard is all in Chinese, but you could ask a friend with better Chinese for help if needed.

5. Inner Super Heroes Arise
Superman! Captain America! Black Widow! You never know who you might see this June at the first ever comic convention in Beijing! Dress up and geek out with your kids as your own favorite hero while enjoying the exhibitions of the most recognizable characters of Marvel and DC Comics. This gathering will be taking place in the hinderlands of Shunyi at the China International Exhibition Center. If you’re not into cosplay but still into comics, we expect you’ll get a lot of great photo opportunities to bulk up your WeChat Moments. But where to get that great costume? Taobao is all we have to say.

6. Faux French Chateaux
Bonjour! Tu aimes la France? We knew many Chinese loved France, but we didn’t realize their love affair with the French extended to such lengths as having replicated chateaux in China! A Chinese wine company has 8 French chateaux in a variety of provinces featuring stroll worthy vineyards. The only hiccup is most places do not look ideal for younger kids.

7. Fire of Chariots: The Story Continues
In an odd twist of what it means to be a returnee, the story of Eric Liddell returns to China via the Alibaba Pictures film, The Last Race. Liddell won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics and was one of two runners who featured in the Fire of Chariots movie. Since Liddell was born and raised in China in a missionary family, he is considered by some to be China’s first gold medalist. After the games, Liddell gave up running and returned to Tianjin to spread the word of God. The film by Alibaba Pictures will focus on his life in China even when he interned in a labor camp by occupying Japanese forces.

Did you know?
Although this isn’t Beijing specific, we thought it was worth mentioning that Dia de los Ninos and Dia de los Libros combined celebration day is today, Apr 30! Here is more information and ways to celebrate.

Often referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day, Qixi falls on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, making it August 2 this year. The traditional festival celebrates the once-per-year meeting of the weaver girl and the cowherd in Chinese mythology, whose forbidden love had them banished to opposite sides of the sky. Read more about the myth here.

Luckily for lazy lovebirds, Qixi falls on a Saturday this year, so there is no excuse not to treat your significant other to a second Valentine’s blow out. Here are our pick of events around town (all events fall on August 2 unless otherwise stated).

Chinese Valentine’s Day Celebration
Indulge in an international dinner buffet featuring seafood and salads from Greece, Thailand and Germany. Finish up with a selection of romantic, pink-themed desserts. RMB 498+ per person. 5.30pm.Greenfish Restaurant (6629 6990).

Chinese Valentine’s Day at Mutianyu
The Brickyard’s great value Qixi package includes private transfers to/from Beijing, a stay in a superior Great Wall view queen room, a bottle of Prosecco, breakfast for two, and two 60 minute Chinese massages. RMB 2,488 per couple.Brickyard Eco-Retreat (6162 6506).

Double 7 Valentine’s Day
Celebrate Qixi, Spanish-style, at Agua. Daytime diners can choose the infinity brunch, while evening visitors have the option of a special set menu for couples. Both will be showered with special Chinese Valentine’s Day gifts. RMB 980 per couple. 6pm. Agua (5208 6188).

"Be my Valentine" Staycation
Want a romantic getaway but don’t have time to leave the city? Head over to Xicheng, where the DoubleTree is offering a staycation package including a five course Chinese meal and breakfast for two. RMB 1,088 per couple. DoubleTree by Hilton (6338 1999 ext 1628).

Italian Romance
Set the mood for romance with a special five course menu of classic Italian dishes created by Barolo’s Chef de Cuisine Eugenio, complemented by a welcome drink of rosé Champagne. Add an optional wine pairing for RMB 398 per person. RMB 2,288 per couple. 6pm. Barolo (5908 8151).

L’Amour Français
The French know how to do romance, so what better way to say “je t’aime” than with a cosy French meal. If you’d rather toast the occasion with a drink, the bar will have a menu of champagne cocktails for RMB 50 all night. RMB 388 per couple. 6pm. Cafe de la Poste (6402 7047).

Inspired by Great Love at Modo
Based on Modo Urban Deli’s motto “Inspired by Great Produce”, on Qixi the menu is “Inspired by Great Love”. Sample a four course menu of dishes such as beef tenderloin and Nutella crème brûlée. RMB 198 per person. All Day. Modo Urban Deli (6415 7207).

Pink Sparkling and Bubbly Afternoons
They say champagne is an aphrodisiac. Get in the mood at Fez Bar, where Sundays equal buy-one-get-one-free bottles of Pierre Chainier pink sparkling or Parxet Cuvée 21 Cava. RMB 398. 3pm-6pm. Fez Bar (5208 6188).

A Fine Romance
The fastest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Treat that special someone to a Cantonese feast at Huang Ting, featuring romance-inducing dishes such as chicken with goji berries. RMB 598 per couple. 6pm. Huang Ting (6510 6707).

Indulge at One East
Celebrate romance at One East restaurant where they are offering up a three-course set dinner. They have set aside a special couples table and if you are lucky enough to snag it, you will be treated to dinner and an overnight stay in a Hilton deluxe room. RMB 596 per couple. 6pm.One East (5865 5030).

Magnifique Romance
Add a little French romance to your Qixi at VIC. Indulge in a French-inspired dinner buffet, complemented by free-flow soft drinks and French wines. Couples will receive gifts including teddy bears, roses and chocolates, and will have the chance to wine a one night stay in a luxury room (including breakfast). RMB 520. 6pm. VIC (8599 6666).

Chinese Valentine’s Day at Capital M
The night of August 2 heralds “Chinese Valentine’s Day”, or Qixi, and Capital M are celebrating with their most romantic menu in one of the city’s most romantic settings, beginning with Champagne & canapés. RMB 888 per couple. 6pm. Capital M (6702 2727).

Chinese Valentine’s Day Set Menu
Flamme is offering a good value set menu filled with romantic touches such as strawberry butter, smoked salmon mousse and heart-shaped pastry. Sample two Valentine’s cocktails – the Almond Old Fashioned and the True Love – for RMB 99. RMB 699 per couple. 11am onwards.Flamme (6417 8608).

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on July 27, 2014.

Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

This Saturday, The Schoolhouse turns six. Since its humble beginnings in 2006, the sustainable tourism enterprise has expanded from a restaurant and art glass studio to include chic, eco-friendly rental homes and The Brickyard. To celebrate its birthday, The Schoolhouse is offering free homemade ice cream to all visitors from 11am to 6pm tomorrow.

Seeing the news reminded me of my trip there last May. Over Mother’s Day weekend, I had the chance to stay in the Pavilion with my partner Mike and his family when they came to see us in Beijing. We knew that The Schoolhouse’s rental homes had a great reputation, but the reality went beyond our wildest expectations.

The trip got off to a rocky start with our foray to Mutianyu Great Wall. It was a blazing hot day, with too many souvenir stands and too few bathrooms. My boyfriend’s father disappeared briefly during lunch and came back to the table with five bottles of Yanjing.

“How much did you pay?” asked Mike. “Oh, about 60 kuai per bottle,” replied his dad. Eyes widening like saucers, Mike and I marched back to the shop and argued with the owner for 10 minutes. In the end, all we got for our trouble was an extra bottle of beer and a bag of stale chips.

By the time we got back to the Pavilion, we were exhausted and more than a little cranky from hiking and dodging vendors. Thankfully, we didn’t remain that way for long.

The bathroom was located in the same section of the house as our bedroom, the shower stall separated from the beds only by a low brick wall. The entire room was lined with tall, wraparound windows that bathed the space in natural light without sacrificing privacy. Standing on the cool, stone floor of the Pavilion’s shower in perfect stillness and listening to the sounds of dogs and birds in the distance was a restorative – almost spiritual – experience.

That evening, the staff arranged for a driver to take us to a local Chinese restaurant near The Brickhouse. The food was hearty, delicious, and affordable. “This is what I had in mind when I thought of real Chinese cuisine,” said Mike’s dad. Again, we ordered a few Yangjings – but this time, for the right price. After dinner, we ambled through Beigou, encountering locals, stray pups, and tranquil country houses with tiled roofs.

The good feelings carried through to our return to the Pavilion. We set an iPhone into the (provided) dock, put on some Beatles classics, fed the fireplace to ward off the chill, and laughed and played cards until late. The next morning, we spoiled Mike’s mom with The Schoolhouse’s Mother’s Day brunch – complete with roses, champagne, and a live band.

Since then, I’ve come to regard this particular weekend as one of the highlights of my time in Beijing. Mike’s family may be on the other side of the world, but we’ll always have the Pavilion. 

Thank you for the fond memories, The Schoolhouse.