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Sun Dong An Plaza (Xin Dong'an Shichang)
Beijing
This huge mall surrounds twin atriums and is filled with designer clothing shops. Aside from the usual Western food chains -- Baskin-Robbins, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, and Délifrance -- there's an excellent hot pot restaurant, Dong Lai Shun, on the fifth floor. Chinese medicine outlets, tea shops, and tacky "Old Beijing Street" await in the basement, which also holds a children's jungle gym. Bank of China has a branch on the first floor. Open daily 9:30am to 10pm.This huge mall surrounds twin atriums and is filled with
The Place (Shimao Tianjie)
Beijing
This new behemoth, marked by a huge outdoor screen playing clips of random fashion shows, sees plenty of fashionista traffic. Spanish retailer Zara chose to set up shop here; their arrival in Beijing was highly anticipated by locals and expats alike. Make-up gurus MAC also chose The Place for their flagship store. Other retailers like French Connection, Mango, and Adidas ensure this place is virtually bargain hunter-free. Open daily 10am to 10pm.This new behemoth, marked by a huge outdoor screen playing
Things of the Jing
Beijing
Local designer Gabrielle Harris creates original jewelry that merges eastern designs with Western functionality. Find abacus earrings (with tiny beads that actually move), gorgeous streamlined silverware, and beautiful rings and pendants with inlaid turquoise, amber, and jade. The main store at Shunyi is a bit of a hike, so head to the more centrally located Bookworm to view a small sample collection. Since this store is out in the suburbs, the best way to get there is by cab. Open daily 10am to 6pm.Local designer Gabrielle Harris creates original jewelry that merges eastern
Tian Fu Jituan (Ten Fu Tea)
Beijing
While not quite the McDonald's of tea, at last count there were 26 branches in Beijing. This store is the largest. Their jasmine tea (hua cha) is excellent. Open daily 8:30am to 7:30pm.While not quite the McDonald's of tea, at last count
Timezone 8 Art Books (Xiandai Shudian Beijing Yishu Shuwu)
Beijing
This store has the best selection of art books in town. The decor is converted factory chic, with bookshelves nestled against exposed brick and cement walls. They are located in Factory 798, so if you're a little rusty on your contemporary Chinese art, pop in here to refresh your memory before hitting the nearby galleries. Open daily 10am to 8pm.This store has the best selection of art books in
Torana Gallery (Tu Lan NaYouyi Shangdian)
Beijing
Run by Englishman Chris Buckley, a guidebook writer turned entrepreneur, Torana sources its exquisite Tibetan and Chinese wool rugs from their workshop in Lhasa and Michaelian and Kohlberg. Chris has a passion for Tibet, and often hosts photographic exhibitions. No bargains, but if you're looking for a genuine hand-woven rug, and lack the time or expertise to hunt one down, Torana should be your first choice. Open daily 10am to 10pm. Run by Englishman Chris Buckley, a
Wangfujing Drugstore
Beijing
This emporium has a small selection of Western cosmetics and health aids, along with a large selection of traditional Chinese medicines. Open daily 8:30am to 10pm.This emporium has a small selection of Western cosmetics and
Watson's
Beijing
Another pawn in the Li Ka-Hsing empire, Watson's has been quick to expand in the nation's capital. At the time of writing, there were 41 stores occupying prime Beijing real estate. This should be your first choice for Western cosmetics and toiletries, though the range of over-the-counter medicines is limited. Open daily 10:30am to 9:30pm (Holiday Inn Lido branch 9am-9pm; Oriental Plaza branch 9:30am-10pm).Another pawn in the Li Ka-Hsing empire, Watson's has been
Xincang Zhubao
Beijing
Jewelry Street (Zhubao Yi Tiao Jie) is another traditional market cleaned up and forced indoors. This is the largest of more than 20 shops. The first floor stocks a full range of gemstones, wedding rings, and necklaces. Have a peek at the second floor, which stocks Western antiques -- Swiss gramophones, American bibles, old telephones, and a suit of plate armor. There's even some fine French chinoiserie, which has come full circle. Open daily 9am to 7pm.Jewelry Street (Zhubao Yi Tiao Jie) is another traditional market
Xing Qiyi Yuan Shangmao Zhongxin
Beijing
Better known in the West by the Japanese name of go, the complex game of strategy, weiqi, is undergoing a welcome resurgence in its native land, if the number of TV programs dedicated to its exposition are any guide (although it doesn't make for great television). This friendly shop outside the south gate of the National Sports Training Center, where many of China's weiqi masters work, sells boards and the 361 black-and-white pieces that fill in the spaces. These start at ¥40 ($5.35/£2.65) for metal pieces in a wicker basket, and rise to ¥3,600 ($480/£240) for agate stones in a jade bowl. "Traditional" Chinese chess, or xiangqi, is more commonly seen on the street. Elaborate xiangqi sets are also sold. Open weekdays 9am to 5pm; weekends 9am to 4pm.Better known in the West by the Japanese name of
Yan Cheng Yu (Over Workshop)
Beijing
With acres of empty concrete, the capital is a skateboarder's paradise. The skating park in Tian'an Men Square is a distant memory, but the owners of this shop can steer you in the right direction. Decks and wheels are imported, but local skate fashions feature striking designs. Danny Way, who skated over the Juyong Guan section of the Great Wall in 2005, figures prominently. Some designs can be viewed online at www.skatechina.com and www.shehuisk8.com. Open daily 10am to 6pm.With acres of empty concrete, the capital is a skateboarder's
Yuanlong Sichou Gufen Youxian Gongsi (Yuanlong Silk Co. Ltd)
Beijing
A huge range of silk fabric occupies the third floor; prices are clearly marked and surprisingly competitive. A qipao or suit can be made in a couple of days, but it's best to allow at least a week. Exquisite (and expensive!) silk carpets from Henan are sold on the first floor. Try not to visit at midday, when the third floor is overrun by tour groups. Open daily 9am to 6:30pm.A huge range of silk fabric occupies the third floor;
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Beijing
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Sun Dong An Plaza (Xin Dong'an Shichang)
Beijing
This huge mall surrounds twin atriums and is filled with designer clothing shops. Aside from the usual Western food chains -- Baskin-Robbins, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, and Délifrance -- there's an excellent hot pot restaurant, Dong Lai Shun, on the fifth floor. Chinese medicine outlets, tea shops, and tacky "Old Beijing Street" await in the basement, which also holds a children's jungle gym. Bank of China has a branch on the first floor. Open daily 9:30am to 10pm.This huge mall surrounds twin atriums and is filled with
The Place (Shimao Tianjie)
Beijing
This new behemoth, marked by a huge outdoor screen playing clips of random fashion shows, sees plenty of fashionista traffic. Spanish retailer Zara chose to set up shop here; their arrival in Beijing was highly anticipated by locals and expats alike. Make-up gurus MAC also chose The Place for their flagship store. Other retailers like French Connection, Mango, and Adidas ensure this place is virtually bargain hunter-free. Open daily 10am to 10pm.This new behemoth, marked by a huge outdoor screen playing
Things of the Jing
Beijing
Local designer Gabrielle Harris creates original jewelry that merges eastern designs with Western functionality. Find abacus earrings (with tiny beads that actually move), gorgeous streamlined silverware, and beautiful rings and pendants with inlaid turquoise, amber, and jade. The main store at Shunyi is a bit of a hike, so head to the more centrally located Bookworm to view a small sample collection. Since this store is out in the suburbs, the best way to get there is by cab. Open daily 10am to 6pm.Local designer Gabrielle Harris creates original jewelry that merges eastern
Tian Fu Jituan (Ten Fu Tea)
Beijing
While not quite the McDonald's of tea, at last count there were 26 branches in Beijing. This store is the largest. Their jasmine tea (hua cha) is excellent. Open daily 8:30am to 7:30pm.While not quite the McDonald's of tea, at last count
Timezone 8 Art Books (Xiandai Shudian Beijing Yishu Shuwu)
Beijing
This store has the best selection of art books in town. The decor is converted factory chic, with bookshelves nestled against exposed brick and cement walls. They are located in Factory 798, so if you're a little rusty on your contemporary Chinese art, pop in here to refresh your memory before hitting the nearby galleries. Open daily 10am to 8pm.This store has the best selection of art books in
Torana Gallery (Tu Lan NaYouyi Shangdian)
Beijing
Run by Englishman Chris Buckley, a guidebook writer turned entrepreneur, Torana sources its exquisite Tibetan and Chinese wool rugs from their workshop in Lhasa and Michaelian and Kohlberg. Chris has a passion for Tibet, and often hosts photographic exhibitions. No bargains, but if you're looking for a genuine hand-woven rug, and lack the time or expertise to hunt one down, Torana should be your first choice. Open daily 10am to 10pm. Run by Englishman Chris Buckley, a
Wangfujing Drugstore
Beijing
This emporium has a small selection of Western cosmetics and health aids, along with a large selection of traditional Chinese medicines. Open daily 8:30am to 10pm.This emporium has a small selection of Western cosmetics and
Watson's
Beijing
Another pawn in the Li Ka-Hsing empire, Watson's has been quick to expand in the nation's capital. At the time of writing, there were 41 stores occupying prime Beijing real estate. This should be your first choice for Western cosmetics and toiletries, though the range of over-the-counter medicines is limited. Open daily 10:30am to 9:30pm (Holiday Inn Lido branch 9am-9pm; Oriental Plaza branch 9:30am-10pm).Another pawn in the Li Ka-Hsing empire, Watson's has been
Xincang Zhubao
Beijing
Jewelry Street (Zhubao Yi Tiao Jie) is another traditional market cleaned up and forced indoors. This is the largest of more than 20 shops. The first floor stocks a full range of gemstones, wedding rings, and necklaces. Have a peek at the second floor, which stocks Western antiques -- Swiss gramophones, American bibles, old telephones, and a suit of plate armor. There's even some fine French chinoiserie, which has come full circle. Open daily 9am to 7pm.Jewelry Street (Zhubao Yi Tiao Jie) is another traditional market
Xing Qiyi Yuan Shangmao Zhongxin
Beijing
Better known in the West by the Japanese name of go, the complex game of strategy, weiqi, is undergoing a welcome resurgence in its native land, if the number of TV programs dedicated to its exposition are any guide (although it doesn't make for great television). This friendly shop outside the south gate of the National Sports Training Center, where many of China's weiqi masters work, sells boards and the 361 black-and-white pieces that fill in the spaces. These start at ¥40 ($5.35/£2.65) for metal pieces in a wicker basket, and rise to ¥3,600 ($480/£240) for agate stones in a jade bowl. "Traditional" Chinese chess, or xiangqi, is more commonly seen on the street. Elaborate xiangqi sets are also sold. Open weekdays 9am to 5pm; weekends 9am to 4pm.Better known in the West by the Japanese name of
Yan Cheng Yu (Over Workshop)
Beijing
With acres of empty concrete, the capital is a skateboarder's paradise. The skating park in Tian'an Men Square is a distant memory, but the owners of this shop can steer you in the right direction. Decks and wheels are imported, but local skate fashions feature striking designs. Danny Way, who skated over the Juyong Guan section of the Great Wall in 2005, figures prominently. Some designs can be viewed online at www.skatechina.com and www.shehuisk8.com. Open daily 10am to 6pm.With acres of empty concrete, the capital is a skateboarder's
Yuanlong Sichou Gufen Youxian Gongsi (Yuanlong Silk Co. Ltd)
Beijing
A huge range of silk fabric occupies the third floor; prices are clearly marked and surprisingly competitive. A qipao or suit can be made in a couple of days, but it's best to allow at least a week. Exquisite (and expensive!) silk carpets from Henan are sold on the first floor. Try not to visit at midday, when the third floor is overrun by tour groups. Open daily 9am to 6:30pm.A huge range of silk fabric occupies the third floor;
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