Central Business District (CBD)
Department Stores
Shin Kong Place Department Store, http://www.shinkong-place.com, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (6530 5888). This center is part shopping mall and part department store, housing over 930 international brands. The department store section houses lots of foreign brands, including popular Hong Kong brands. A large children’s section on the fifth floor has a small ball pit and other indoor play equipment to entertain the kids. Next door is China Central Place, an office tower with yet another mini-mall at the base on its retail floors. Shin Kong Place boasts Asia’s largest Gucci flagship store. Expensive shopping can deter visitors but the large food court, BHG Supermarket, and several excellent restaurant offerings make it an attractive option for window shopping or a weekend visit.
Malls
- The Malls at Oriental Plaza, 1 Dongchan’an Jie, Dongcheng District (8518 6363). One of the first “malls” in Beijing built by a Hong Kong development company and connected to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the middle of the city. Right by WangFuJing shopping street, near the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, this large mall is popular with tourists and office folks who work nearby.
- Kerry Mall, 1 Guanghua Lu, http://www.beijingkerrycentre.com, Chaoyang District (8529 8418). Connected to the Kerry Residences and the Beijing Kerry Center Hotel, this mall is also one of the “originals” and located right in the center of the city. It is not nearly as large as other new malls and its offering is not as broad. There are wine shops, restaurants, and cafes located inside.
- China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6505 2288). The mall is attached to the China World Trade Center, making it popular with business people passing through the city. Shopping consists mostly of luxury brands, with very pricey and sophisticated goods.
- The Place, 9A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (8595 1755). One of the new shopping complexes built in Beijing in recent years, The Place boasts one of the largest digital outdoor screens in the world. It has many popular clothing outlets (Zara, Esprit, etc.) and a good kids’ section. It also houses a food court and hosts regular promotional activities on its large outdoor patio. The digital screen comes alive in the evening and is worthy of a visit.
- Shin Kong Place Mall, http://www.shinkong-place.com, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (6530 5888). This center is part shopping mall and part department store, housing over 930 international brands. Next door is China Central Place, an office tower with yet another mall at the base of its retail floors. Shin Kong Place boasts Asia’s largest Gucci flagship store. Expensive shopping can deter visitors but the large food court, BHG Supermarket, and several excellent restaurant offerings make it an attractive option for window shopping.
Markets
Silk Street Market, 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (5169 8800). Overwhelmingly touristy and accessible by subway at the YongAnLi stop on the 1 line, this six-story shopping market carries souvenirs, shoes, bags, clothes, luggage, electronics, fabrics, and more. The vendors in the shoes and handbag section in the basement are especially aggressive and will pull at you to get your attention! Depending on what language you speak with them, their opening prices could be as high as four times what they will settle for in the end. Prepare to bargain!
Sanlitun (and nearby)
Department Stores
Pacific Century Department Store, 2A Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6539 3888). This department store generally stocks brand goods like Nine West and Esprit, but also carries some Chinese and Hong Kong brands. Prices here are known to be generally lower than at the newer department stores in the city, especially when there are sales. There is also a popular hair salon on the ground floor.
Malls
- The Village at Sanlitun, Courtyard 19, Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District (6417-6110). This glassy structure is a new fixture in Beijing and the expat community. With shopping including luxury brand stores such as Versace, Ports International, Class Roberto Cavalli and Kosta Boda Orrefors, the complex also houses many mid-tier chains like Mango, Zara, American Apparel, and Uniqlo. The best feature may be the official Apple Store (the only one in Beijing), along with a large Adidas’ flagship store. The Village also houses a multiplex cinema playing movies in English and excellent restaurants and eateries. A water fountain and regular outdoor exhibits in its patio area draws crowds every weekend. Smaller independent boutiques can also be found in and near the complex.
- Nali Mall and Patio, No.81, Sanlitun North Road (6413 1002). Almost attached to The Village is a cluster of boutiques and restaurants known as one of Sanlitun’s best spots for outdoor dining and shopping. You can find kitchenware shop Pantry Magic and other boutiques from international and local designers. Let’s Burger, Saddleback Cantina, and other popular expat eateries are located in the Nali Patio.
- Solana Park, http://www.solana.com.cn, No.6, Chaoyang Park Road (5905 6565). Styled to feel like a southern California outdoor mall, this “shopping and lifestyle park” near Sanlitun (closer to Chaoyang Park-area) houses more than 1,000 international brands, with dozens of retail shops and restaurants, as well as a bar and club strip on one side. There is a large children’s section with a Scholastic Learning Center outlet in the indoor basement floor. You’ll also find international brands such as Lego and Mothercare. A fountain dances to music at the center of the outdoor area. A large BHG Supermarket is also located in the basement along with a modest food court offering vegetarian, Greek, and other options. There is an indoor ice-skating rink and indoor mall portion as part of the complex. Cold Stone Creamery and Starbucks are prominently located in the front.
Markets
Yashow Market, 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6415 1726). Another touristy market, this one does carry many staples such as underwear, socks, shoes, sports equipment, etc. Many expats do some shopping here once in a while in order to stock up on certain basic clothing. There is also a kids’ section that carries lots of random children’s clothing with some branded items thrown in, including OshKosh and Carter’s. The third floor houses several fabric stores and tailors who can make clothing and bedding to order. Bargaining is a must as well, but vendors are not as aggressive as those at the Silk Street Market in CBD.
