Beijing's oldest shopping district is reminiscent of the former glory of commercial hutongs—ancient alleyways specializing in one particular trade. The main street, running due south from the Qian Men Gate, starts with a delightful silk market and just beyond Beijing's best spot for leather clothing. Da Zhan Lan hutong with Qing Dynasty teashops, herbal medicine stores and silk vendors is worth a visit. To the northwest of Da Zhan Lan lies Liu Li Chang, an “ancient culture street”, with books, art and more chinoiserie than you will ever need.
This tea shop, which dates back to the final years of the Qing Dynasty, is located on one of Beijing's most historical and interesting shopping streets, Da Zha Lan Alley. It deals in over 200 types of tea, with prices ranging between tens and hundreds of renminbi for a few grams. They have green tea, black tea, chrysanthemum tea, herbal tea, and Oolong tea. You will find a tea for every occasion and a few more types to spare. It is worth visiting just for the sights and smells.
Wangfujing Snack Street is conveniently located near Wangfujing Shopping Street, a popular commercial district in Beijing. And if you love trying new dishes, there are ample options for Chinese, like stinky tofu, jianbing (savory crepes), and lamb skewers, as well as international options like Japanese takoyaki, Korean BBQ, and international street foods. Tourists seeking an authentic taste of Beijing's culinary scene often flock here, but it's also a favorite among locals who appreciate the variety and affordability of the snacks. In addition to food, you can find stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, and various trinkets, making it a one-stop destination for shopping and snacking.
Liu Li Chang is located in Qian Men, the oldest neighborhood in the city, where tradition seems to have been retained. Here you will find old coins, scrolls, Tibetan and Mongolian antiques, calligraphy materials and stamps. Even if you are not interested in these kinds of purchases you should visit this street for a glimpse of an older style of Beijing. The buildings have painted wooden beams and roofs topped with curved Chinese tiles.
Oriental Plaza is a “city within a city.” The plaza boasts of upscale malls, apartment buildings, stores and restaurants. The shopping malls are the main attraction to the plaza, they are separated into six themes, including a family section, luxury brand section and an entertainment section. Tourists and locals alike flock to the plaza.
While Beijing has grown to be a modern, metropolis, hidden away down the winding alleyways and hutongs of the city, Beijing's past still thrives. Yan Dai Xie Jie, or the Yandai Byway, is one of the oldest commercial streets of its kind in Beijing. The origins of its name, which translates to “Slanted Tobacco Pipe Street”, can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. At this time the street was populated mainly by smoking pipe stores, one of which placed a massive wooden pipe outside its doors as a marker. Although its days as a destination for quality smoking pipes has long past, the name remains as a reminder of its legacy. The street today is home to reconstructed historic facades, behind which thrive stores selling souvenirs, traditional garb, antiques and other treasures. Here you will also find numerous cafes and restaurants serving everything from traditional Chinese fare, to Tibetan, Indian, Thai and Korean food. Take a stroll down Yandai Byway for a glimpse into a world where the past and present collide.
This luxury market place holds over 410 individual stalls with thousands of employees. Selling one of the most famous Chinese wares, silk, its easy to see why this spacious marketplace sees so many visitors each day. Find gorgeous silk products and artisan items in this treasure trove. Honoring the time honored tradition, haggling is common here so prepare yourself and don't go for the first price offered!
Panjiayuan Flea Market is China's largest secondhand market, covering an area of approximately 48,500 square meters, where you will find all kinds of crafts, antiques, old furniture, and periodicals on sale. A must-visit if you want to get your hands on some really good stuff at cheap prices. The market is famous for its vast collection of antiques, including porcelain, ceramics, jade, furniture, calligraphy, paintings, coins, and vintage items from various dynasties in Chinese history. However, make sure you know the art of bargaining and are good at differentiating a real deal from a fake one. Open seven days a week, the market attracts both domestic and foreign tourists. Traders from all over China have their stalls put up in this market.
Maliandao Tea Market has a variety of tea on sale at its many shops. Great aromas fill the air while you walk past looking for the perfect blend. Several shops even offer a taste. Aside from the herbs, you'll find a vast array of accessories, from tea pots, saucers, steepers, and much more. The teas cover a range in terms of variety and price, making it an interesting place to discover when in the city.
Located at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, the UCCA Store features exclusively commissioned works and products from over 50 artists and 80 designers. These cutting-edge designs showcase the one-of-a-kind contemporary art found at the center from the likes of Marshall Hanwell, GEI CHI I, PUSU and more. The spacious shop is filled to the brim with bags and accessories, artwork, furniture, house ware items and eclectic finds. A must visit if you plan on coming to the center.