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- Taipei expat forums for advice on restaurants, domestic help, apartments, travel and more.
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Beijing Shoppoing & Massage
Posted by woonwoonbee (125 days ago)
Hi...sorry to jump in here....anyone who can recommend good shopping (local shopping for clothes, bags, shoes, etc) and good massage for lady? I m staying near the 3rd ring.
Thanks.
(I am based in Singapore)
Posted by crj (125 days ago)
Best massage according to most people -
Bodhi 菩提
17 Gongti Beilu,
Gongti
near Minsheng Bank
工体北路17号
民生银行东
tel 6413-0226
www.bodhi.com.cn
Do you want markets or proper shops? Anything imported is more expensive here than in HK or Singapore, anything local is lower quality... maybe send me a PM saying more specifically what you are looking for?
Personally, I really hate the silk market, but love Ritan Office Building for mostly womens clothes but a few mens shops too, and if you have lots of time and patience and no kids, the Zoo market is amazing. I find better deals in the 'second' Ritan Office Building which is around the corner from the main one.
Ritan Office Building 日坛商务楼
15A Guanghua Lu,
Ritan
光华路甲15号
Google "zoo market" beijing to get more info on it, it isn't for everyone!
Also happy to suggest some restaurants and other things if you let me know what you are looking for and if they need to be kid friendly, etc...
You can check the directory online here for addresses in English and Chinese: http://www.thebeijinger.com/ and http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/
If you have a WAP or GPRS phone you can go to www.mobilebeijing.com to get the same directory as thebeijinger, but on your phone so you can do it when you are out and show a taxi driver :)
And pick up copies of That's BJ, TBJ Kids, City Weekend, and other free magazines for great listings and ideas!
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by woonwoonbee (125 days ago)
Hi crj..thanks for great info. the massage place definitely looks great and i do use dermological..so can do facial and massage at the same place! have you done facial there? i m apprehensive with unfamilar places to do facial..but because the webpage looks so grand..it looks like they should be employing professional beautician for facial.
as for the zoo market..the webpage said the seller there only likes to deal with vendor. so will i still be able to buy things if i see one item i like? what's your experience?
as for shopping, sounds like you sum it all. if quality goods are more expensive than singapore, then, no point for me to buy here.... probably just a browse.... no kid. a business trip and plenty of time tomorrow one day for shopping, leisure and relax.
(I am based in Singapore)
Posted by crj (125 days ago)
never heard of it, sorry, but Bodhi really is the best by all accounts - I haven't had a facial there, but I would think it is okay, it has a really relaxing atmosphere.
Zoo Market is insane, but an experience, you might walk away with nothing.
Ritan, on the other hand, is a beautiful building with nobody hassling you, but they rarely bargain much (maybe 10%). They have a lot of factory samples in size 6 (I got a great black wool Diane VonFost wrap dress for about 600 RMB!), some one-offs, and some really great finds - but it is hit and miss. I got some nice good priced bags in the second building (in shop 307 maybe??) about half way on the left. What I liked was the shop owner was able to tell me which ones 'they made' and cheaper than the other ones. She had some nice soooooft leather bags for under 500.... but not a huge selection at all. There is a good shoe shop in the first building, last shop on the left. And behind the building there is a shop that has loads of bags, but expect prices around 700 and up for some!
The other nice thing about Ritan, the area itself is beautiful, and the building is beautiful, and you can actually see EVERY shop in an hour or two... even taking your time to try things on. Then you can grab lunch in the Park itself. Xiao Wang Fu's is great for good quality local food (we love it) with good service and a beautiful setting. It opens at 11 am
Xiao Wang Fu 小王府
Inside Ritan Park,
Ritan
日坛公园内
8561-7859
If you wear glasses, you MUST MUST MUST to go the Eyeglass market - you can get loads of glasses and prescription sun glasses very very cheap - every guest we have had has gone and said it was the best shopping they did.
My glasses cost 130-250 and prescription sunglass lenses for my own sunglasses cost 70! They can even test your eyes! It is not touristy, and you only need to bargain a little. Just get China made ones - if they start saying it is from overseas, go to another shop they are full of it!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/travel/01foraging.html
And if you like 'flea markets' you shoudl start your morning at the PanJiaYuan 'Dirt Market' - it is AMAZING. I got loads of the 'jade' circle pendants for 2-3 RMB!
http://www.gluckman.com/BeijingMarket.html
I didn't go for months as I thought it was going to be a nightmare, but it was soooo nice I can't wait to go back and bring my husband!
If I had a WHOLE DAY with NO KIDS:
PanJiaYuan starts at 6am, so go there first
The eyeglass market is right next door
then taxi to ritan park for lunch at Xiao Wangs
then Ritan for a relaxing shop
Back to hotel to drop off goodies
Bodhi for a relax before (or after) dinner
You have great weather and blue skies for your stay - lucky you!
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by crj (124 days ago)
what a shame.... yesterday was beautiful, but today doesn't look like it is off to a good start... let's hope for some wind!!
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by isonoawabi (124 days ago)
Great information here! I'll be in Beijing shortly. Where should I go if I want to buy Chinese ethnic minorities costumes for children? I'm particularly interested in those of the Xinjiang tribes and the "White" ethnic group from Yunnan. I need full sets including hats, boots and shoes.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by crj (124 days ago)
Isonoawabi - I'm really not sure, that is such a specific item.
PanJiaYuan 'Dirt Market' has some things like this, but I couldn't say for sure if they are what you want or if they are authentic or copies, and it depends if you want to wear them or display them.
Try checking out these websites, they both have Beijing forums that might be able to help you.
http://www.thebeijinger.com/ and http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/
And use google to see if you can find more...
sorry
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by isonoawabi (124 days ago)
Thanks crj. I'm actually planning for my son's upcoming birthday party. If the stuff is not too expensive, I am thinking of slipping a little vest or blouse into the kids' goodie bags.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by crj (124 days ago)
oh - then PanJiaYuan 'Dirt Market' is perfect for stuff like that!!
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by isonoawabi (123 days ago)
Thanks a lot, crj.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by crj (123 days ago)
BTW - it is only really open Sat and Sun, best to go early in the morning, although most stalls are still open around lunch and into the early afternoon.
(I am based in Beijing)
Posted by woonwoonbee (123 days ago)
Hey crj..great recommendation on Bodhi. I went there on Sat..and it was GREAT. and there's discoount as well before 1st April! unfortunately the person doing the facial is tight up. M thinking to return for a facial. Great atmoshpere, good service and CLEAN! Thanks!
I really like to check out the Eyeglass City (I do wear glasses). I will definitely like to check it out! i haven't got time to check out other shopping places. i spend a BIG part of today (sun) on forbidden city....
(I am based in Singapore)
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