The arrival of numerous modern shopping malls, department stores, and groceries is squeezing Beijing's traditional markets. But, for now, most people still rely on street stalls for their produce, meat, dry goods, and other household items. The city's trendiest shopping district, Wangfujing, offers shoppers (and window-shoppers) an array of swank boutiques and department stores. For a more traditional flavor -- and bargain reproduction antiques -- try the Sunday market at Panjiayuan.

Antiques

Chengguzhai Antique Store
194 Wangfujing Dajie
Beijing, China
Phone: 010/6522-0673

On the opposite side of the road is the Chengguzhai Antique Store, which sells more handicrafts than antiques.

Book Stores

Foreign Language Book Store
235 Wangfujing Dajie
Beijing, China

Back on the west side, just south of the crossroads, the Foreign Language Book Store contains four floors of books, maps, videotapes, CDs, and school supplies. This is one of the best places to buy English-language books, maps, postcards, VCDs, and CD-ROMs about China.

Clothing & Accessories

China Star Silk Store
133 Wangfujing Dajie
Beijing, China
Phone: 010/6525-7945

To the south, on the west side of Wangfujing Dajie, find the China Star Silk Store, where you can order a qipao, a traditional silk dress.

Silk Alley
Jct. Xiushui Nanjie and Xiushui Dongjie
Beijing, China

Silk Alley has long been popular with both expatriates and fashion-conscious Chinese. If you start at the south end of Silk Alley near the Beijing Friendship Store, you can follow the alley north to browse open-air clothing stalls specializing in silks, cashmere, and made-for-export apparel. Depending on the season, you can find everything from Esprit sportswear to designer women's suits to North Face jackets. Beware of hawkers who troll the area with pirate CDs, VCDs, and CD-ROMs; these illicit copies are often damaged or virus-tainted.

Yabao Market
West side of Ritan Lu
Beijing, China

Made-for-export clothing abounds in Yabao Market, also known as the Russian Market; the quality is often inferior to that found at Silk Alley. Russians and Eastern European traders buy here for export. Popular items include cotton apparel, fur coats, and bedding. Some vendors only deal in bulk.

Yuetan Schichang
China

For old stamps try the Yuetan Schichang, where stamp traders occupy stalls along the west side of Yuetan Gongyuan (Yuetan Park). Coins are sold at many antiques and curio shops.

Department Stores

Beijing Department Store
255 Wangfujing Dajie
Beijing, China
Phone: 010/6512-6677

Wangfujing's grand dame, the Beijing Department Store continues to attract large crowds, despite the allure of Sun Dongan and the even bigger Oriental Plaza complex (which begins at the southern end of Wangfujing and stretches a block east to Dongan Dajie).