Don't Go Home Empty Handed With These 8 Great Places to Buy Souvenirs in Beijing

Despite the ongoing crackdown of markets in Beijing (Yashow, we still miss you!) and the comparative ease to now buy anything and everything online, Beijing still has its fair share of markets fit for making sure you don't ever go home to friends and family empty-handed. 

Below is our pick of the best places to pick up souvenirs that are unique, fun, and best yet, completely Beijing. Given that haggling remains the de facto way to get the best deal with vendors in Chinese markets, remember to brush up on your negotiation skills before getting down to business. 

Qianmen Dashilan’r Street 前门大栅栏 
Famous for its busy back streets, a smattering of galleries, and antique stores, Qianmen's Dashilan’r area has one of Beijing's oldest and distinctive commercial Beijing hubs with a history of more than 500 years. As such, it's also great for picking up Beijing time-honored brands: shoes from Neiliansheng, silk from Ruifuxiang, and hats from Majuyuan. You can read our more in-depth guide to traversing Dashilan'r here.

Qianmen, Xicheng District
西城区前门

Wudaoying Hutong 五道营胡同 
Compared to the heaving Nanluogu Xiang, Wudaoying Hutong is a must-visit for a quieter and infinitely more relaxing stroll among boutiques and cafés. It’s not the biggest shopping street in Beijing but is worth a visit for its combination of ceramic shops, knowledgeable baristas, and small stores selling handmade clothes, earrings, and crafts. It also makes for a good jumping-off point for a visit to Lama Temple to the east or the Gulou hutongs to the west.

Wudaoying Hutong, Andingmen, Dongcheng District 
东城区安定门五道营胡同

Nanluogu Xiang 南锣鼓巷 
This narrow but very long hutong has a history of over 700 years, dating back to Yuan dynasty in 13th and 14th century, but today is more infamous for its throngs of tourists who travel from all over China for the abundant street food and souvenirs. Easily one of the most touristy areas in downtown Beijing, simply sit back and let the wave of people whisk you down Nanluogu Xiang, stopping for jewelry, handicrafts designed by local artists, and trendy T-shirts galore.

Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District 
东城区南锣鼓巷

Wangfujing Shopping Street 王府井购物街 
Wangfujing is another of Beijing's busiest commercial areas and is packed with many local shops and huge shopping malls such as Gongmei Mansion, Sun Dong An Plaza, and Malls at Oriental Plaza. It’s a shopper’s paradise where you can find food, local art, books, and unique crafts from all over China.

Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District 
东城区王府井大街

Panjiayuan Antiques Market 潘家园旧货市场 
First opening in 1992 as a roadside showcase, Panjiayuan Antiques Market is one of the city's biggest and best-known markets. It has also witnessed many changes in the type of collectibles and crafts that fill its walls, nowadays offering vintage finds and reproductions of Chinese calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, old communist propaganda posters, and "ancient" furniture. 

West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District 
朝阳区潘家园桥西边

Silk Market 秀水街 
Under the framework of the One Belt, One Road initiative the Silk Market was renovated this April, with a few floors of shops added to the already substantial building. It has also been given a facelift, giving it upmarket feel that is reflected in the new, inflated prices of their merchandise. That being said, you can find almost everything you need here, from (likely fake) name-brand clothes and bags to Chinese silk. Be warned that the Silk Market continues to be one of the biggest draws for tourist groups, which means that you'll need to haggle hard to get reasonable prices.

8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号

Pearl Market 红桥市场 
Although smaller than the Silk Market, the Pearl Market makes for a decent backup with many of the similar types of souvenirs and clothes. As its name suggests, if you're looking for pearls, this is the place to go, but it's also home to plenty of Chinese tchotchkes, beads, clothes, calligraphy, paintings, and some electronics. If you head up to the fifth-floor balcony, you can also score a free view of the Temple of Heaven.

9 Tiantan Lu, Dongcheng District (6713 3354) 
东城区天坛路9号

Maliandao Tea City 马连道茶城 
If your family or friends back home are fans of tea, then Maliandao is great spot to get a glimpse into Chinese tea culture. As the largest tea market in northern China, Maliandao is home to many different types of tea with prices ranging from dirt cheap to next-level expensive, as well as a vast array of teacups and teapots. Many of the tea shops offer free tea for guests so you can try before you buy before getting into the messy business of bargaining.

11 Maliandao Lu, Xicheng District 
西城马连道路11号

READ: Beijing Mourns the Loss of Another First-Generation Department Store With News of Guiyou Overhaul

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Photos: Tracy Wang, Jessica Rapp, Mafengwo, Uni You, Weibo, Zhaunlan