With no tax on shopping meaning low prices, and shops open from 9am through until 8pm every day, Beijing is developing a reputation as a shopper's paradise, and there is no shortage of places to go in the city in order to spend a bit of cash.
Some of the best buys as souvenirs are silk, and the locally produced lacquered wood products, which make great gifts.
The best shopping is around Wangfujing dajie, where there are a number of large department stores and shopping malls catering to most budgets. As the market for western goods has opened up, the number of large malls has increased massively, and one of the largest is Xidan Shopping Centre, where you can get most goods at huge discounts.
If you buy any electrical goods in China, you should ensure that they come with a full manufacturers guarantee, and will work in the UK, otherwise you will have to travel a long way to get an exchange or a repair done.
