Beijing Silk Market and Other Shopping

Shopping in Beijing: Silk Market

The Beijing Silk Market is a tourist magnet and a shopping lovers dream. The Silk Market is a large building at the center of the city, seven levels packed with vendors selling all sorts of merchandise. Travelers come from all over to experience the market, but locals usually stay clear due to cheaper purchases available elsewhere.

Smart Shopping

Everything is available here and that is why you have to shop smart. Pace yourself to get through all seven floors without losing a fortune. With the sheer volume of bags, shoes, toys, clothes, souvenirs, leather goods, cell phones, sunglasses, jewelry, technology, and luggage, there is no way to leave empty handed. Try to look for bargains and not be too impulsive. Vendor after vendor will be waiting to great you with a deal or two. Take breaks also, to have a coffee or a meal.

Haggle

Expect to be sold quality counterfeits if you are not paying attention! That said, do not be afraid to haggle! Bargaining a price down is something many westerners shy away from, but is a sign of intelligence in the rest of the world. If you don’t haggle a little, this place can cost you your entire vacation budget! Pros recommend you offer half of whatever price the vendor states first, wait for the vendors response with your best poker face, and then offer a number somewhere in between the two, and so on. Some even recommend offering 1/10 of the asking price to start.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about the Beijing Silk Market and other shopping.