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China — Beijing Attractions
Shopping at
Silk Market
(Xiu Shui) and Friendship Store
If you really want to get a feel of "bargain
shopping" with
the masses, plan a half-day trip to the infamous Silk Market (Xiu
Shui), located in the heart of
Beijing.
This
is a fun place to shop for silk clothing,
t-shirts, cashmere sweaters and shawls, name-brand down jackets,
leather goods, shoes, hats, handbags, pens, watches
and jewelry — and
exclusive designer knock-offs at very low prices!
Allow plenty of time to shop — afternoons
are especially crowded, so
try
to arrive
earlier in the
day. However, if you want the best bargains of the day, the later
you shop, the better. Besides shopping, the Silk Market is
also a fun place to people-watch.
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Shopping Tips
Be aware of pickpockets. As you can see from the photos on this page, it can
get very crowded in the Silk Market.
Don't
wear a lot of jewelry — it's
easier to bargain when you're not "dripping in jewels" and
it's also a lot safer.
When making a purchase by cash, be sure to check
your money carefully after receiving change to make sure the stall
vendors aren't slipping
you foreign bills and coins.
Bargain! Bargain! Bargain!
Be prepared to
bargain as you navigate your way down the crowded narrow
streets. And be prepared to walk away — once or twice — to
"think about a price." It's fun and you'll get some great deals!
Wear
comfortable shoes!
Before you leave your hotel, ask the Front Desk
to write down the name, address and phone number of your hotel in
Chinese. Also have them write down your destination in Chinese
and show this to the taxi driver before setting off. Remember, not
everyone speaks English.
Friendship Stores
Friendship Stores, located all over China, are well worth a visit. Stores offer
a wide selection of merchandise. Shop for gifts
and souvenirs — arts
and crafts, jade, porcelain, cloisonne, lacquer ware, silk, linen, paintings,
carpets...and more! Most prices are fixed, but it's worth bargaining if you
are buying anything in quantity.
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