SHOP August ’07 • 189

FOREIGN EXCHANGE BEIJING

The fascinating capital of China is a mecca of designer wares, street markets and mega shopping malls.

BY JENNY HEWETT

BEST MARKETSPanjiayuan 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 fi nd antique-style 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 aff ordable prices. Many of the artefacts are impressive replicas rather than the real thing, but you’ll walk away with a bargain.

190 • SHOP August ’07 SHOP August ’07 • 191

MUST-HAVE:Wallpaper City Guide: Beijing,

(Phaidon Press), $12.95,

(08) 8444 5304.

TIP #1 When bargaining, off er less than half the original price. Don’t be despondent if the shop assistant turns away your fi rst off er – 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 offi cially 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 cheap; the fl agfall 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.

be sure to stop by…

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 fi nd it. This mall houses all the big-name 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.

Pacifi c Century Place, and the pretty

lingerie it houses.

Pacifi c 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.The Sergio Rossi store at the China World Trade Center Shopping Mall.

STAY HERE!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.

DESIGN YOUR OWN JEWELLERY

Hong Qiao Shichang, 16 Hong Qiao Lu, Chongwen District,

+86 (10) 6713 3354.If you adore pearls, this

beautiful four-fl oor market is defi nitely worth a visit – here mini stalls sell an assortment

of freshwater pearls at ridiculously cheap prices, from as low as $7 a strand. Find top-

of-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.

GETTING THERE: Qantas fl ies direct to Beijing from Sydney every Monday,

Wednesday and Friday. For more information call 13 13 13 or log on to qantas.com.au.

Take your pick from the pearls at Hong

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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.

MUST-VISIT MARKETSYa Show Clothing Market, 58 Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 (10) 6415 1726.Located in popular bar district Sanlitun, this fi ve-level indoor market is famed for its extensive stock of locally made shoes and clothes, plus the upper-level beauty parlours off ering $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 fl ats.

Stock up on jackets and knitted basics at Ya Show

Clothing Market.

Top Boutiques

WHAT I BOUGHT:Lantern, $2, Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.

WHAT I BOUGHT: Boots, $7 (one size), Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.

WHAT I BOUGHT:Necklace, $55,

Panjiayuan Markets, +86 (10) 6775 2405.

Check out Nali Mall for cool boutiques selling

quirky designs.

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 fi nd at markets. Here you’ll get designer items at cheaper but fi xed 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.

Best Tailor: 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, fl owing cuts rather than tighter fi ts 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.

Try the cranberry or cocoa truffl es at La Place Collection for a real treat.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.

CHOCO� TE FIX