Hongqiao Market (Pearl Market), Beijing

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We were met at the door by an enthusiastic pearl specialist who explained all about pearl farming ( in 10 minutes or less). Even though this is a tourist grab , it is interesting if you haven't seen freshwater pearl shucking. I was surprised to see so many pearls in one shell and so many colours. This demo is all about ssales though so you need to be ready from high pitched sales efforts!

What to buy: The rule here is to bargain hard. The ,arkup is high and anyones guess. We were able to get 35% off and I feel we could have done better.I bought gorgeous purple pearls ( kind of a mauve colour really) . I bought the necklace with the detachable braclet and earrings too. They string the pearls while you wait!!

We liked the Pearl Market more than the Silk Market: less crowded, less aggressive salers and - in our humble opinion - the same or better quality. The markets are both housed in a large building, several floors of small vendors. There was choice enough and the fourth (or third, as we say) houses the pearls vendors in a light and relative quiet athmosphere. We tried a number of shops, and were best served by a shop owner called Lily, sales booth 23. We bought a necklace of salt water pearls and several small gifts and got a good price (off course, you have to bargain, but she started reasonable).

What to buy: Salt water pearls have a better texture than the more usual sweet water pearls. Lily made them into a necklace, with a knot between every pearl.

What to pay: We paid what we thought was ist value to us.

the shop is huge, very wide choice of pearls, they also show you how to extract pearls from the shell, how many pearls you can find in it, what colors, how to be sure these are real pearls and not some plastic...very important indeed! the girl whom told me all this offered a handful of pearls coming just from a fresh new shell, i didnt know where to put all of them, so i put them in my coat's pocket and from time to time giving them to friends...just occasionally saying..hey! dont you want some pearls:) sometimes they fall from my pocket on the ground...

What to buy: i bought earrings and had a bracelet as a gift, sure i would buy more if i wouldnt have bought pearls in Shanghai a year ago..so i stopped myself:)

What to pay: different prices starting from 5$ till...??? but if you take a lot you always get something for free

About half the things I bought at pearl and Silk market broke within a week of my return home. Be warned, a good price for a piec of junk is a bad deal. This include sunglasses, fountain pens, a massage ball)

This shop has everything you can think of, first floor is mainly electronics, second womens, mens, and childrens clothing, suitcases, backpacks, and shoes. Third floor is jewlery and souviniers.

What to buy: I would have to say they have the best selection of shoes, mainly skate shoes, they have a great selection of 'brand name' clothes. Who cares if its fake..it looks real. I would try to stay away from electronics. They are not always as good as they say they are and they don't always have the amount of memory they say they do. Memory cards I would say are a good thing to buy, they are cheap and can hold thousands of pictures.

What to pay: I bought mp3 players with 4GB for 200RMB, i probably could have gone cheaper, SO DON'T PAY ANYMORE THAN THAT! 8GB memory stick (for computer) 100RMB, zipup hoodies 50RMB, t-shirts 30RMB..but this all depends on the quality of the shirts and what brand it says on it, so make your own judgment on this.

Pearls, Pearls, shirts, golf clubs(be careful w/ customs), purses(ditto), belts, etc....... Haggle for everything and haggle hard. The bargains are fantastic, but beware there is a lot of junk. I loved it and got some great stuff. Pearls for my family and friends, a Columbia winter coat, some Cubavera shirts, a belt, and a travel suitcase that was in pieces by the time I got home.

At the pearl market you will shop 'til you drop. Clothes, shoes, watches, DVD's, silks, pearls, electronics... And almost everything is genuine copies.
But the quality is good and the price is right.
If you know how to bargain for it that is. And bargain you must. For absolutley everything.

The whole place have three stories jam packed with everything you never knew you wanted.
But even you you didn't know it yourself, you can be sure that the salespersons know.
And they will let you know it. Try to walk by a stall and they will grab something, anything, and try to convince you that this is what's missing in your life. Some will even grab your arm to make sure you will come look at their goods.

Loads of good deals can be made here, and if you like to shop, no not miss it!

What to buy: Buy clothes, lots and lots of clothes.
But everything is available here so you don't have to limit yourself to anything.

What to pay: Depends on you bargaining success.

The Red Bridge Market is a very big store for the tourist to buy souvenir, antiques, and other interesting stuff. Even the local resident like to go shopping here. The former president of US, Bill Clinton, visited the market when visiting China.

What to buy: souvenir, antique, silk, pearl

What to pay: It depends what you buy. My advice: when you bargain, offer at least 50% discount when buy antiques.