Beistyle is a unique designer brand established by Chen Bei, a fashion creator who goes back and forth between China and France. Inspired by Parisian fashion and Chinese culture, the pure lines of Beistyle design reveal grace and feminine elegance. Multicultural inspiration results in exquisite designs to be worn everyday or on special occasions.

The shop is delicately arranged with pottery pieces from the nation’s ceramics capital Jingdezhen, traditional Chinese silver work and jewelry, some of the most sought-after teas, handmade bags from Jiangsu and Guizhou provinces and Khunu yak wool sweaters. Most handicrafts are in the range of RMB88-2,800, which is highly competitive.

With less name recognition than Trek, this French store offers some great bargains, including ultra-light carbon frame road bikes for as low as ¥6,000. Their mountain bikes start at ¥1,000. Decathlon also sells quality helmets, as well as other important gear like locks, cycle wear, pumps, water bottles and Camelbaks.

Miles Davis, ABBA, Vladimir Lenin’s collected works: this establishment carries this and much more at their darling little record store, located in the twists and turns of the Dongsi hutongs. Strange Fruit boasts more than 300 records, all priced between RMB30-40 and sourced largely from Japan. The store also sells two models of Numark record players for you to spin your newly purchased babies, with prices starting at RMB1,200.

This pyramid-shaped building is home to a mall with a difference. Committed to being environmentally friendly, this epic undertaking has glass ceilings, sunken gardens and air vents to naturally light, heat and cool the building, which houses some high-end fashion stores like Ted Baker, Stella McCartney and Alfred Dunhill. In addition, the developers have a large art collection - including the largest private collection of Dalí and iconic 798 pieces - scattered throughout to make for a relaxing and cultured space to visit and shop.