Xiu Shui

The new Xiu Shui market reopened for business in its shiny new 5 storey shopping mall on March 19th 2005 replacing the original outdoor Xiu Shui market. In doing so, it has become the inner city's one stop tourist shopping paradise. Its name is now written in English across the entrance as simply "Silk Street". The imposing structure has been decked out in crimson and navy blue to give the building a strong traditional Chinese flavor.

With about 1,500 stalls, the market is much bigger than the former street. There are bags, cases, shoes and hats in the basement; various clothes, many of which are international brands, on the first and second floors; silk goods and Chinese paintings on the third floor, and pearls and Chinese traditional crafts on the fourth floor. All stalls in the market are rented out and many vendors are in line to secure a place in the new shopping centre. The monthly rent for a stall varies from 4,000RMB to 40,000 RMB for a coveted first floor position.

In this new market, the store assistants are much better trained in customer service and language skills, most sporting a bright red jacket with the Xiu Shui logo on it and an official looking ID badge. Bargaining is still essential here so be sure to check out our Guide to Bargaining in Beijing before you venture out here in order to get the best prices.

The Xiu Shui street mall is located along Chang An avenue near the Yong An Li (120) line 1 subway station. You can now walk directly from the subway into the mall via an underground passageway without stepping outside into the scorching heat of summer or the terrible cold of winter. Alternatively you can take a taxi using the Chinese name shown below. Print and hand to your taxi driver.

Just one year after the opening of the five-floor Xiu Shui building, here comes its sister, Xiu Shui 2. But this new market is not simply another hub for endless copies of world-renowned labels. The four-floor building has more than fifty fancily decorated boutiques (including the nail salons on the third floor), which is one reason why prices here are much higher than at Xiu Shui 1.

Though you can still spot some "designer" items, most of the things on sale are chic dresses, sandals, blazers, shorts and accessories that are in tune with current trends and are hard to find in other markets. Sadly, there's not much for the guys, except some jeans. The V Shop on the fourth floor sells low-waist jeans for men and women, starting at around 100RMB. No. 222 boutique on the second floor features sequined leopard-print sandals and Miu Miu white blazers and No. 239 provides custom-made wedding gown services.

Location: 14 Dongdaqiao Lu, 200 meters north of the Guiyou Shopping Center, Chaoyang District