This little kiosk in the basement of Tai Koo Li south stocks an assortment of comfortable flats and Toms-like slip-ons, many of which go up to a size 40. For long-haul flights or longer nights out in Gongti, check out their line of Roly-Poly ballet flats that fold up into a compact package and come with their own storage bag (RMB259 and up).

We were pleasantly surprised at both the selection and quality at this secondhand clothier on the corner of Gulou and Di’anmen Wai Dajie. There’s room to breathe, and browsing the aisles is not also an exercise in Cirque du Soleil-level contortions. Another refreshing change is the wide selection, which includes plenty of wearable clothes, shoes and accessories for men and women alike.

While a fine place to buy avocados in bulk, this market of fruits, vegetables, seasonings and meats is simply too large and full of unloading trucks to efficiently tackle by foot or bike. It’s worth a visit if you have a full afternoon to dedicate to it, but otherwise Dongjiao and Sanyuanli are simply more approachable, with much of the same products, if not more.

The new location of this market is a vast improvement over the dusty original. Vendors are localized by category and split into east and west sides. Korean and American imports dominate the front of the west section, while in the back, several vendors sell the wines and liquors you find at higher prices in import groceries. The westernmost side is all tea vendors, while the east side of the market houses the kitchen gear for which Dongjiao is best known.

This comparatively small market sells office, school and art supplies. Shop No. 2015-2016 on the second floor is hands down the best for art supplies, with everything from graphic pencils to canvas to oil paints (Tel: 5107-6197). Children and whimsical adults will delight in No. 2B001 across the aisle, which has great stationery, including colorful, often inadvertently hilarious Chinglish plastic folders and pens (Tel: 139-0135-9780). On the same floor at No. 2G06-07, a DIY craft shop has construction paper, modeling clay, sequins, fuzzy pipe cleaners (RMB7 for a bushel) and many other child-friendly materials (Tel: 188-1152-0503).

If Taobao were a physical destination, this would be it. The main building at Bairong has over 5,000 shops, and in 2008 an additional building was connected to the west side, giving it another 3,000. Find clothing, children’s toys, furniture, home wares, leather goods, suitcases, smokers, camping gear, and more. At Christmas, this is the spot to find plastic trees, lights and dancing Santas.

This wholesale clothing market is a little older, cheaper and more interesting than others in the area. Name brands are not the big seller here, but there are some interesting finds, plus seeing the market in action is the real draw. Visit Jingwen as it closes for the night around 4:30pm, and watch a veritable village pour forth from its doors.