Beijing: Shopping

Beijing 2008 Store Located on Wangfujing Dajie street, the 2008 Olympics flagship store sells a huge range of official branded merchandise, plus some playful examples of sporting kitsch (check out their collection of gold Olympic memorabilia). Dongcheng; Gongmeidasha, 1st Fl. (South of Wangfujing Dajie); 011-8610-6669-9185; en.beijing2008.cn
souvenir | sportswear

Grifted Edgy slogan-ized t-shirts, re-imagined, Mao-era memorabilia, and Chinese kites are sold at this idiosyncratic store. Dongcheng; 32 Nanluo Guxiang; 011-8610-6406-2716; www.grifted.com.cn
souvenir

Houhai Created seven centuries ago, the ponds of Houhai are lined with teahouses, trendy shops, and lantern-lit pubs – an idyllic Old Beijing backdrop for sunset cocktails, rickshaw rides, and sauntering with the locals. between QianHai and XiHai, just north of QianHai; www.kinabaloo.com/houhai.html
things to do | walking | best experience

Panjiayuan Market Each weekend, a mixed crowd descends on this large, open-air market for souvenirs like Chinese handicrafts, books, antiques, rugs, and paintings. Bargain hard. Chaoyang; South of Panjiayuan Bridge (southeast Beijing)
souvenirs | market | home | souvenir

San Shi Zhai Feng Zheng Kite Store Invented in China some 3,000 years ago, kites are still quite prominent throughout the country. Celebrate the tradition with a colorful high-flyer of your own – although cheaper versions are sold in markets throughout the city, this family-run shop sells intricate, hand-painted renditions of the craft (from elaborate dragons to delicate butterflies) that are well worth the higher prices. Doncheng; 29 Di'anmen Xidajie; 011-86-10-8404-4505
culture | smart splurge | art | traditional | handicraft

The Village Sanlitun Opened just in time for the 2008 Olympics, this swanky 19-building development features 250 brand flagship stores like Sephora and Montblanc, fashion boutiques, retail outlets, China's first Apple Store, and an 89-room boutique hotel. Chaoyang; Sanlitun Bei Lu and Gongti Bei Lu (near Worker’s Stadium)
new | mall | womenswear | menswear

Torana Galleries Tibet enthusiast Chris Buckley sells exquisite handwoven Tibetan carpets, rugs, and antique furniture sourced in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. The gallery-style store is located in the Kempinski Hotel. Chao Yang District; 50 Liang Ma He Qiao Lu; 011-8610-6465-3388; www.toranahouse.com
smart splurge | expensive | home | handicraft | best experience