When it comes to shopping in Beijing, starting with the malls is a great way to discover what the city has to offer. Here are some of the largest shopping malls in Beijing:
- Grand Pacific Mall (130 Xidan) - This is a 5-story complex where the first floor is dedicated to restaurants, the second floor to cosmetics and perfumes, the third and fourth floors cater to women's products, and the fifth floor focuses on sporting goods.
- Oriental Plaza (1 Dongchang'an Jie, Dongcheng) - This is a complex consisting of several malls, including Wonderful World, Sky Avenue, Metro City, and more.
- New Yansha Mall (1 Yuanda Road, Haidian) - Explore approximately a thousand boutiques, a skating rink, various restaurants, and a large food court. You'll find a wide range of shopping options here, making it unnecessary to visit outlet malls near Beijing.
- Beijing Friendship Store (17 Jiangoumenwai Dajie) - This store features well-known brands like Burberry, Zegna, Apple, Only, and more.
If you're looking for shopping centers and boutiques, Wangfujing Street boasts over 200 brand stores, while Xidan Street includes Xidan and Zhongyou Department Stores, Xidan Shopping Center, one of Beijing's top outlet malls, and Scitech Plaza. These areas are connected by pedestrian viaducts, making it convenient for shoppers.
For more budget-friendly shopping options, consider these places:
- Hongqiao (Pearl Market) - Located near Tiantandongmen subway station on Line 5, this market offers stylish pearl souvenirs.
- Xiushui Jie (Silk Market) - Open from 9:00 to 21:00, this market features 1700 stores, and many vendors speak English. Don't hesitate to negotiate prices, as the initial prices are often inflated by 5-7 times. You can easily access this market via the 1st line of the subway at Yonganli station.
- Yabao Lu - A must-visit spot on any shopping tour in Beijing, Yabao Lu offers products from popular Chinese shoe and clothing factories.
Shopping in Beijing is generally considered cost-effective, but there are special sales events. These sales are typically timed to coincide with major Chinese holidays, such as China's Education Day (October 1), Labor Day (May 1), and Eastern New Year (from January 21 to February 21). During the New Year's Eve sales, you can find discounts of up to 90%!
