FOREIGN EXCHANGE
BEIJING
The fascinating capital of China is a mecca of designer wares, street markets and mega shopping malls. BY JENNY HEWETT
BEST MARKETS
Panjiayuan Markets, 200 Panjia Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6775 2405. Known to Beijing expats as the ‘Dirt Market’, this weekend bazaar is said to be the largest and best in China. Some 3000 vendors make the trek from as far as Tibet to sell their goods at this colourful outdoor venue. You’ll find antiquestyle arts and crafts ranging from massive stone buddhas, wooden sculptures and ceramics to delicate Tibetan embroideries, and kitsch Mao and cultural revolution trinkets. Here, even the budget conscious can deck out their pad with unique homewares at affordable prices. Many of the artefacts are impressive replicas rather than the real thing, but you’ll walk away with a bargain.
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Stock up on jackets and knitted basics at Ya Show Clothing Market.
be sure to stop by…
MUST-VISIT MARKETS
Ya Show Clothing Market, 58 Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6415 1726. Located in popular bar district Sanlitun, this five-level indoor market is famed for its extensive stock of locally made shoes and clothes, plus the upper-level beauty parlours offering $5 manis and foot massages. The basement level is dedicated to a large range of leather and synthetic shoes, boots and handbags (and suitcases to carry it all home in). Be sure to check out each row for that unique pair of heels or flats.
China World Trade Center Shopping Mall, 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6505 2288. If you’re after a splurge, this is the place to find it. This mall houses all the bigname brands including Sergio Rossi, +86 (21) 6416 3096; Chloé, +86 (10) 6505 1256; and Christian Dior, +86 (10) 6505 2062. While you’re there, check out chic Hong Kong boutique, It, +86 (10) 6505 8884, which supports new designers and stocks heaps of international labels too. Pacific Century Place, 2A Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6539 3888. This department store has a large selection of beautifully made, local-brand lingerie – the pretty designs feature detailed embroidery and can be worn as outerwear. The sizing here is petite.
While you’re there…
Lily Nails, Ya Show Clothing Market, 4th Floor, 58 Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District. This on-the-go beauty spot specialises in mini treatments and massages, and sells wholesale nail products including OPI polish and machinery for salons. Its staff is huge, which means those in a hurry can have a mani, pedi and head massage simultaneously.
WHAT I BOUGHT: Necklace, $55, Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.
Check out Nali Mall for cool boutiques selling quirky designs.
CHOCO�TE FIX
LA PLACE COLLECTION, SHOP 3, 41 XIN YUAN JIE, CHAOYANG DISTRICT, +86 (10) 6466 8090. FRENCH CANADIAN LAURIER DUBEAU MAKES CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES FROM HIS SMALL BEIJING-BASED WORKSHOP. VISIT THE COSY SHOWROOM TO PURCHASE QUALITY HANDMADE CHOCOLATES WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN.
Best Tailor:
Try the cranberry or cocoa truffles at La Place Collection for a real treat.
Rong Xin Tailor & Boutique, 7 San Li Tun Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6532 7913. A great place to stock up on tailored pants, shorts and blazers. Stretchy material is not easily available in China so opt for simple, flowing cuts rather than tighter fits that require a bit of stretch. Try a simple-cut dress or bring a favourite piece that you wish to copy. Know what you want, and start the process the day you arrive, so if it doesn’t turn out as planned, you have enough time to alter it.
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TIP #1 When bargaining, offer
Shangri-La China World Hotel, 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6505 2266. this sleek hotel is rated highly amongst foreigners and is centrally located with all the luxe labels at your doorstep.
WHAT I BOUGHT: Boots, $7 (one size), Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.
Top Boutiques
Nali Mall, Sanlitun Jiubajie, Chaoyang District. Tucked away down a cobblestone street in Sanlitun, this arcade houses mini boutiques selling edgy designs more stylish than those you will find at markets. Here you’ll get designer items at cheaper but fixed prices. Check out In Purupin, for interesting shapes, Victorian blouses and Diane von Furstenberg dresses. Across the hall visit Zin, +86 (10) 5136 5036, for designs by Chloé, Marc Jacobs and Milk and Honey. Fuzhuang Jiaoyi Shichang, Nuren Jie, Chaoyang District. If shoe heaven really does exist, this must be it: rows of locally made heels and boots at bargain prices.
The Sergio Rossi store at the China World Trade Center Shopping Mall.
STAY HERE!
STILL-LIFE STYLING: MAYA ZEPINIC. STILL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN RINTOUL. MAP COURTESY OF READER’S DIGEST ATLAS OF THE WORLD (AUSTRALIAN EDITION).
WHAT I BOUGHT: Lantern, $2, Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.
Pacific Century Place, and the pretty lingerie it houses.
DESIGN YOUR OWN JEWELLERY
Hong Qiao Shichang, 16 Hong Qiao Lu, Chongwen District, +86 (10) 6713 3354. If you adore pearls, this beautiful four-floor market is definitely worth a visit – here mini stalls sell an assortment of freshwater pearls at ridiculously cheap prices, from as low as $7 a strand. Find topof-the-range Australian South Sea and Tahitian pearls in the boutiques located on the upper levels – design your own jewellery as you wait and walk out with a truly one-off piece. Take your pick from the pearls at Hong Qiao Shichang.
less than half the original price. Don’t be despondent if the shop assistant turns away your first offer – a to-and-fro sparring match is all part of the process. Start well below the price you are willing to pay and give a little until you reach an amount you are happy with. TIP #2 Chinese currency is
officially known as Renminbi (RMB), but just remember that many people in China also use ‘yuan’ or ‘kuai’ to denote RMB. TIP #3 Taxis are relatively
MUST-HAVE: Wallpaper City Guide: Beijing, (Phaidon Press), $12.95, (08) 8444 5304.
cheap; the flagfall starts at 10RMB (around $2). Make sure you tell the hotel concierge where you want to go and get them to tell the cab driver, as very few speak English. It is important to take a hotel card with you to show the taxi driver when you wish to return.
GETTING THERE:
Qantas flies direct to Beijing from Sydney every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For more information call 13 13 13 or log on to qantas.com.au.
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