A foreign costumer shops at a store on Silk Street in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

Silk Street

This market has a lot more to offer than just silk. It has become a folk trade center for foreign tourists in Beijing after more than 30 years of development. You can find silk products, designer clothes, jewelry, pearls, Chinese crafts and cosmetics here. Famous politicians and their families, as well as sports and entertainment celebrities have shopped for silk products, imperial robes and other goodies here, including France's former president Jacques Chirac, and former US president George H.W. Bush and his daughter Dorothy. The place offers price-bargaining and a treasure-hunting experience. Most owners here can speak some English.

It's best to come on Thursdays and Fridays when owners replenish their stock. If you buy clothes, remember to try them on to get the right size. (Chinese sizes are smaller than their Western equivalents.)

Play hard-to-get, and don't show too much interest in the things you want to purchase, or you will lose your bargaining power. Some people manage to get things at one-fifth or onesixth of their original prices.

Location: No 8 Xiushui Street, Chao-yang district.

Wudaokou

This area is famous for its Korean elements, partly because many students from the Republic of Korea study at the nearby Beijing Language and Culture University.

The garment market there features small and stylish boutiques frequented by many foreign students.

Tourists can spend hours here fishing out casual and trendy T-shirts, jeans, skirts and accessories with Korean style at prices generally lower than other Korean-style shopping malls, such as the one in Xi'dan. Manicure services, artworks, office supplies and local food are also available. There's also room for bargaining here.

Location: No 38, Xueqing Road, Haidian district.