Beijing, China’s bustling capital has many attractions for visitors and one of these is its amazing shopping opportunities. This vibrant city has existed for thousands of years, serving as the capital of several of the imperial dynasties of ancient China. From an early age the city has been a flourishing metropolis with a thriving economy and numerous successful businesses, and even today accounts for one of the busiest shopping hubs in the country. With almost everything available for sale, the city also has great hotels and apartments for visitors who come to Beijing specially for a shopping spree. The well-informed visitor desiring Beijing apartments will be enthralled by the Ascott Beijing. These appealing apartments offer well-appointed interiors and pleasant hospitality.

Many skilled craftsmen made their home in the city and succeeding generations learned their distinctive skills, so that even today many talented craftsmen practice their trade in Beijing. In the quarters of the city where they work you will be able to buy valuable craftwork such as ivory carvings, cloisonné, lacquer and jade items. Other attractive local products include silk, curios, snuff bottles, pearls and so on. Another opportunity that should not be foregone is the specialist feature shops, like the family silk and shoe specialists who are masters in their chosen area of expertise. To obtain attractive bargains visitors should explore the well known antique markets like the Panjiayuan Flea Market.

For more general shopping the visitor should explore the numerous shopping centres and commercial avenues where one can find attractive products and appealing bargains. Popular shopping venues to be found in Beijing include Qianmen Street, Wangfujing Street, Silk Street and Xidan Commercial Street.

If on the other hand you prefer modern air-conditioned malls you will not be disappointed. The Chinese capital boasts numerous lavish malls like Shin Kong Palace, Beijing Friendship Store, Parkson and Lufthansa Centre.

Visitors should also take the opportunity to browse through the wares of local wholesale marketplaces where you can bargain for a bewildering array of products such as apparel, shoes, electronic products, tea, flowers and almost anything else you could imagine.

Another attractive possibility that should not be overlooked is the numerous bookstores which offer attractive books in foreign languages, including some hard to find volumes which are not readily available in other countries. With so much to explore and experience shopping in Beijing will always be an unforgettable experience.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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