Shopping in Beijing can be a nightmare, especially if bargaining isn’t your thing or if you’re simply not willing to pay an extortionate price for something that should be cheap. Well dream no further! Here’s an introduction to Beijing’s best bargain shopping.

Zoo Market (动物园)
Don’t be fooled into thinking that only Beijing’s big department stores stock the good stuff. Beijing is dotted with plenty of clothes markets that have two very special traits: fashionable and cheap! This week we will be introducing you to the fabulous textile world of the Zoo Market. The origin of its name is quite simple: located right opposite the Beijing Zoo, this place is swarming with market halls that sell cheap and fashionable clothing. Another major perk of buying clothes at Zoo Market is that there is no need to bargain because the goods are priced at super affordable prices already.

Zoo Market Map

Getting there
Subway: Take the subway line 2 or 13 to Xizhimen Station. From there, walk westwards. After about 300 meters you should be able to see the Beijing Exhibition Center and Beijing Zoo. The Zoo Market is located just around this area. Alternatively, take subway line 4 (when it opens) directly to Beijing Zoo station.
Buses: No. 16, 105, 107, 111, 347, 808, 814
Express buses: No 105, 106, 205

Julong Foreign Trade Market (聚龙外贸市场) View In Map
Julong is an underground shopping center. It mainly sells clothes and many of Beijing’s little clothing stores come here to purchase their stock. The average price of clothing here is between 20-60 RMB. Winter clothes and some designer shoes are priced at 100 RMB and above. Usually, goods shouldn’t exceed 200 RMB.

Most of the clothes here are for foreign trade, hence are extremely fashionable and up to date on foreign trends. You can also find unusual clothes here, but finding the true gems requires meticulous searching (through mountains and mountains of clothes).

Location
Opposite the Beijing Exhibition Center. The entrance is at the west side of the Ito Yokado Shopping Center beside McDonalds.
Address
Exhbition Sqaure, 135 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing 北京市西城区西直门外大街135号展览馆广场

Shiji Tianle (世纪天乐)View In Map
Overall, the clothes at Shiji Tianle are better quality and the shopping environment is more pleasant than at Julong. Because of this, the prices of clothes are a little higher. Their slogan is “only foreign trade is fashionable.” Hence, the average price of clothes here ranges from 40-100 RMB. Thicker winter clothes are more expensive and the fourth floor stocks some high quality items whose price ranges vary, but on average the more expensive ones will most likely cost between 200-300 RMB.

Be warned though, this place can get extremely crowded so it’s best to avoid it on weekends.

Location
South side of the Main Zoo Bus Station. Cross the road to get there.
Address
28 Xizhimen Waidajie Nanlu, Xicheng District, Beijing北京市西城区西直门外大街南路28号

Jinkailide Building (金开利德大厦)View In Map
The clothes in Jinkailide Building are also quite cheap. However, it lags behind Julong and Shiji Tianle in fashion. There are lots of little stalls inside, with lots of varying styles and choices. You can bargain here and average prices range from 30-100 RMB. There is an amusement and food floor within the building for when hunger and fatigue take over.

Location
Close to the main bus station at the zoo.
Address
136 Jinkailide Building, Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing北京市西城区西直门外大街136号金开利德大厦

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