{"id":76316,"date":"2020-09-17T09:44:42","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T09:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=76316"},"modified":"2024-01-09T07:52:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T07:52:42","slug":"shopping","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/beijing\/shopping\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping in Beijing"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Shopping options in Beijing<\/h2>\n

There is a wide range of shopping options in Beijing<\/a>. Shopping can be an expensive hobby or a fun and cheap one depending on where you shop. There is a gamut of lavish malls selling luxury brands in Beijing, but there are also markets where haggling is the norm and where you can come away with great finds at bargain prices. Beijingers are also starting to see unique boutiques as part of the shopping scene.<\/p>\n

However, many expats complain that they often cannot find the right clothing and shoe sizes. Sizes often run small to accommodate the local population, especially at the shopping markets. Department stores and malls will have better selections and lots of foreign brands available, but larger sizes are not as well stocked.<\/p>\n

There aren\u2019t as many sales and promotions at stores in Beijing, so prices for goods at department stores and foreign chains (like H&M, Zara, Uniqlo, Nike, Esprit, etc.) will likely run higher here than at home. Many expats save their big shopping trips for home, when they can take advantage of holiday sales, coupons, promotions, clearances, and discount stores.<\/p>\n

However, it is still fun to walk the malls and department stores in Beijing<\/a>, if only to window shop and occasionally splurge, or even hit upon a sale at a familiar store. The malls are multi-floor, modern structures and often include lots of cafes and restaurants where you can meet up with friends and enjoy a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

Market shopping, though, can be a challenge for those with little patience. At the most touristy markets, stall vendors will be aggressive and try to push products on you. There are plenty of fakes at these markets, as well, so don\u2019t believe everything you hear. There are less touristy shopping markets where you can find genuine items and branded clothing for a fraction of the price. Buyers should always be aware that the quality of goods at market stalls may not always be the best. Boutiques are often mixed into some shopping complexes or smaller shopping centers, and have gained popularity as young and fashionable entrepreneurs in Beijing try their hand at retail.<\/p>\n

Department store and mall hours are usually from 9:30am-10PM. Market stall shopping starts earlier and closes earlier, usually following a \u201cdawn till dusk\u201d schedule of 8am-5pm. Boutiques usually follow the schedules of the larger malls.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ el_class=”city-side-bar”][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-one”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Top Tips” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
01<\/td>\nStock up on prescription medicine before you relocate since pharmacies here cannot honor an overseas prescription.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
02<\/td>\nAn excellent phrasebook that many expats rely on is called \u201cMandarin Phrasebook\u201d published by Immersion Guides in China.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
03<\/td>\nTry and join the private Yahoo! group, BeijingCafe, which caters to expats. Membership requires invitation by a current member.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
04<\/td>\nIf you have a baby, it may be prudent to stock up on infant formulae from your home country before you arrive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
05<\/td>\nPrepare mentally for the pollution. Consider purchasing an air filter for your home when you arrive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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