Beijing Shopping Tips by Blatherwick

Dachilan: Dachilan

Dachilan Street has a medieval flavour but polluted with hordes of tourists. It was here, outside the old city walls, where merchants sold silk to the elite, back when emperors held sway and shops were forbidden inside the Imperial City. Stores date back centuries, including Liubiju, a 400-year-old pickle store. The Tongretang pharmacy still sells remedies it once dispensed to leaders of the Qing dynasty. Dachilan is still the place to buy silk as prices are cheaper than you will likely find anywhere.

What to buy: Silk
Antiques
Tourist Crap

What to pay: It's a tourist area. Bargaining is the rule so never go with the first quoted price.

Address: South of Tiananmen Square

Directions: Its a hutong running west from the northern end of Qian Men.

Theme: Other