Qianmen-Dashilan (Dazhalan) shopping Area

Qianmen Dajie, Beijing [Photo by He Peng]

Dashilan area, Beijing

As the oldest commercial street in Beijing, the fortunes of the Qianmen-Dashila shopping area have reflected the city's sometimes turbulent history.

Many Zhonghua Laozihao (Time- Honoured Chinese Brands) have welcomed customers for generations here. After recent renovations, the centuries-old shopping area is booming, because of its historic atmosphere and new conveniences.

Traffic: Subway Line 2, Qianmen Station; Bus Nos 2, 5, 9, 20 and 44

Fuchengmen-Fuxingmen Area

Just outside the Second Ring Road in western Beijing, there's a multitude of discount markets that sell everything from tools to toys. There are some great prices on clothing and small electronics, but be prepared to haggle to get the best price at any small stall. The biggest and most comprehensive markets in the area are Wantong, Guanyuan and Tianyi.

Traffic: Subway Line 2, Fuxingmen or Fuchengmen Station

Hongqiao Pearl Market, a World of Pearls

The Hongqiao Pearl Market is known as the Hongqiao Market (Hongqiao Shichang). Its annual sales volume of pearl products account for more than 30 percent of the world's total. Fill your baskets with pearls, bespoke jewelry, jade, arts and crafts, toys, antiques and clothing, as well as modern electronic goods, camera memory cards, clocks, watches, or all kinds of other interesting products. You can see other stores in this rapidly developing complex near the Temple of Heaven.

Address: 16 Hongqiao Lu, Dongcheng district

Traffic: Subway Line 5, Tiantan Dongmen Station; bus No 6, 34, 35 or 610