IKEA
Minimalist Swedish DIY furniture store IKEA has landed in Beijing in a big way (could there be any other way in China?). The enormous store is the second biggest IKEA in the entire world behind only the flagship store in Stockholm. The layout and feel of the store is the same as any other ...
Minimalist Swedish DIY furniture store IKEA has landed in Beijing in a big way (could there be any other way in China?). The enormous store is the second biggest IKEA in the entire world behind only the flagship store in Stockholm. The layout and feel of the store is the same as any other IKEA - bright and airy, which probably makes it feel less crowded than it is. While there may be more interesting and colourful places to furniture shop in Beijing (think Panjiayuan Antique Market), you can’t beat IKEA for basic, convenient, and simple everything-under-one-roof home shopping.
If you grow weary of pushing your laden trolley around you can recharge your batteries at the restaurant on the second floor or browse the Swedish Food Market.
Link: The official IKEA Beijing website.
Link: The official IKEA Beijing website.
Beijing Strategy
Beijing Strategy, located in the Xidan (西单) shopping district, is a trendy marketplace popular with young Chinese people. Each of the small stores (there are hundreds of them) has its own collection of clothes, shoes, jewelry or other items. The atmosphere and attitude of the shopkeepers are...
Beijing Strategy, located in the Xidan (西单) shopping district, is a trendy marketplace popular with young Chinese people. Each of the small stores (there are hundreds of them) has its own collection of clothes, shoes, jewelry or other items. The atmosphere and attitude of the shopkeepers are far more laid back than Beijing’s tourist-driven marketplaces.
How to Get There
Take subway line 1 to Xidan (西单) station. Walk south for about 100 meters. Beijing Strategy is on floors 5-7 of the building marked Xidan Gouwu Zhongxin (西单购物中心). There are several restaurants on the first floor including a McDonalds.
Parkson Department Store & Supermarket
Parkson is a large and very popular department store on HuaiHai Road. It also includes a supermarket in the basement. Parkson’s is a perfect option for those looking to purchase both western and Chinese products in one location. Set up like a western grocery, the aisles are ea...
Parkson is a large and very popular department store on HuaiHai Road. It also includes a supermarket in the basement. Parkson’s is a perfect option for those looking to purchase both western and Chinese products in one location. Set up like a western grocery, the aisles are easy to navigate and offers a surprisingly diverse array of western products alongside typical Chinese items. Parkson and City Supermarket are right across the street from each other. With this convenience in mind I often start my grocery shopping at Parkson for the more affordable selection of Chinese and Western products. I then take the underground subway tunnel to City Supermarket to peruse the slightly more expensive, yet otherwise difficult to find foreign goods sold there.
Parkson does carry a small selection of produce and fresh meat as well.
Security guards do not let customers enter the main area of the grocery store with any type of bag except a purse. There are lockers at the entrance, but they are not large.
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station. Follow signs for the Parkson subway exit.
Dong Men
Dong Men 东门
Dong Men is a shopping district consisting of department stores, supermarkets, shops and stalls. It is centred on two parallel pedestrian streets with several smaller streets and alleys traversing it, creating a labyrinth in which every available space is used to sell som...
Dong Men 东门
Dong Men is a shopping district consisting of department stores, supermarkets, shops and stalls. It is centred on two parallel pedestrian streets with several smaller streets and alleys traversing it, creating a labyrinth in which every available space is used to sell something. Shops range from holes-in-the-wall to retail chains like Baleno, Giordano and the odd foreign brand shop, such as Addidas. Fashion wear, sports wear, jewellery, shoes, handbags, toys, CDs, DVDs, video games, traditional medicine...the list goes on and on. Touts guide punters to massage houses, nail salons and tattoo parlours. Occasionally, monks offer palm readings. Except for retail chain stores with prices clearly displayed, bargaining will be required.
If you do nothing else in Shenzhen, fit in a visit to Dong Men. It’s a wonderfully vibrant area to explore and a lot of the city’s young go there to stroll around, hang out and eat from its snack stalls and restaurants. It can be crowded at any time of the week but on weekends and holidays it seems like the whole population of the city is trying to squeeze into a few small streets.
How to get there
This area can be reached by bus no 102, 113,103, and 203. Head down one of the pedestrian streets that run perpendicular to Dong Men Zhong Lu (Dong Men Central Road) near the Dong Men footbridge. (There are more shops on the opposite side of Dong Men Zhong Lu). From there just wander and follow the crowd. By Metro, get off at Lao Jie station and leave from exit A. Turn left and you’ll soon be in the thick of it.
Garden Books
This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community. The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
The book selection, however, is ...
This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community. The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
The book selection, however, is what truly makes Garden Books quite special. The collection is small, yet varied with mystery novels, non-fiction titles, and Chinese themed cultural novels. The selection will satisfy both tourists and locals seeking some new pleasure reading. In addition Garden Books also features an excellent selection of Chinese learning materials. I found a great ’Intro to Chinese’ book that has made learning Chinese far less overwhelming for me.
Garden Books also contains a considerable collection of cookbooks, art and interior design books. Many titles are courtesy of the publisher Phaidon, whose beautifully designed books on a number of topics from art history to fashion make perfect gifts. The section of books on Shanghai is naturally quite helpful as well (and also makes great holiday gifts). My particular favorites are the Shanghai Architectural Guide and the small photograph book with pictures of old and new Shanghai placed side by side (only 68 RMB!).
In an effort to support the environment, no plastic or paper bags are given with your purchase. The option of buying a cloth tote bag for 10 RMB is far more useful anyway!
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd Station. Exit onto Shanxi Rd and head north for two blocks to Changle Rd. Take a left on Changle Rd. Garden Books is about 50 meters down the street.