Beijing Shopping

The rich traditions of Beijing have remained intact as the city continues to shift rapidly in the direction of widespread commerce. As the cultural heart of China, an abundant selection of fine handcrafted local products can be found in the city's many bazaars and markets. Known particularly for its Cloisonné, jade, and lacquer ware, Beijing markets promise an exciting environment where you can search for the perfect souvenir and try your hand at bargaining for the best price.

In recent years, countless megamalls and department stores have sprung up all over the city, adding an entirely new dimension to Beijing's fruitful commercial culture. Here you can find everything from local products to high end international labels.

As capital of China, Beijing has been a center for commerce for centuries. Shopping in Beijing is different from shopping in Hong Kong or New York, since not only famous brand name fashions are available, but also many local products from around China that cannot be found anywhere else. There are many unique shops in Beijing that have been in operation for centuries and still offer the same high quality products that they have always offered. Beijing is full of areas that sell wonderfully unique traditional items, including fine jade, cloisonné, and lacquer. 

Cloisonné: The popularization of this ancient technique of Chinese Cloisonné occurred during the Ming Dynasty (1426-14350 under Emperor Zhu Qiyu, but the art of Chinese fired enamelware was adopted from Egyptian and Greek practices during the Yuan Dynasty in 1271.  This beautifully intricate art of inlaying colorful sections of powdered glass into cavities on the surface of objects such as bowls, platters, and vases is still widely practiced by traditional Beijing artisans today, and is one of the region’s finest local crafts.

Jade:  The art of carving jade for decorative means dates back to the New Stone Age.  Well known for an extensive history at the center of the jade industry in the north of China, Beijing remains the best area to find gracefully clean and intricate jade treasures.  In Beijing you will find jade carvings truly unique to northern China that emit a purity and elegance found nowhere else.

Lacquer Ware: Beijing’s is well known as an excellent location to find hand-carved traditional Chinese lacquer ware.  The lacquer ware is decorated with exquisite engravings, has a radiant luster, elegant shape, and the pieces are usually resistant to humidity, erosion and heat.  Artisans practice a technique that involves applying a natural lacquer on a wooden base, then engraving delicate designs into the surface of the wood.  The resilient quality of these beautifully crafted works makes them a perfect remembrance to return home with.