Xiushui Street

Xiushui Street (Silk Market) is a popular shopping market in Beijing, ranking alongside the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China in importance.

It is located at No. 8 Xiushui East Street, which is a short walk from the Chaoyang business district, featuring many foreign embassies and consulates (where you'll need to go if you lose your passport or find yourself in some other unfortunate incident), large and looming hotel chains, and office buildings.

Xiushui Street is accessible by taking subway Line 1 to Yonganli Station, and the northwest exit will take you straight to the underground Xiushui market.

Quick Facts on Xiushui Street

• Location: No. 8, Xiushui East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
• Opening Hours: All Day
• Ticket Price: Free
• How to Get: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Yong'anli Station. Exit from Exit A1.

The New Silk Market Mall

Next to the original market is the Beijing Silk Street New Mall, which opened in 2005. It has five floors above ground and three underground. It is at about 28,000 square meters, containing 1,500 stalls for your shopping requirements.

The Silk Market has some of the finest silk products and a massive range of different categories of goods on sale. You'll find shoes, bags, accessories, leather, clothing, knits, ties, handicrafts, jewellery, antiques, calligraphy prints, and paintings. Besides, coffee shops and restaurant chains such as Lavazza, Subway, and Beijing's famous Quanjude roast duck are included.

Silk Market

This is a seven-story building that has everything included. Just as its name suggests, the Silk Street is full of beautiful silk products (pyjamas, robes, shirts, scarves, and so on ) as well as textiles (cashmere scarves, clothes of all types, tableclothes), and handicrafts. Besides these, the Silk Street has much more than just silk.

The new Silk Street has introduced traditional Chinese handicrafts, antiques, calligraphy, carpets, table cloths, bed coverings, paintings, hand-knit dresses, toys, electronic gadgets, trinkets, and fine jewelry.

Everything here can be had cheaper than at any of the stores in the city, but remember to make the bargain for it. It is located about 1km east of Friendship Store, Exit A from the Yonganli subway station of Subway Line 1.

What to Buy in Xiushui Street

There is a wide range of goods available, but the most attractive goods are silk on the third floor. Some of China's longest-established silk brands specialising in high-quality silks are on the market, and names to keep an eye out for are Ruifuxiang for its high-quality silks, Shengxifu with a ninety-year history for its handmade crafts and selection of silks, and Neiliansheng, established centuries ago for its Chinese cloth.

This place is so silk-oriented that you can make some in the museum and learn about the Chinese silk culture, have a suit made of silk at the tailor's on the third floor, and silk clothes are sold all over the third floor.

Apart from silk, you are recommended to stroll around the fourth floor where you will find other Chinese traditional articles like Chinese tea, porcelain, Chinese paintings and calligraphy, and Chinese jade.

Shopping Tips in Xiushui Street

If you want to shop like the Chinese do, then the first and second floors are essential viewing. You can bargain with other shoppers at the Boutique Corridor, and the most important thing here is to bargain. It is actively encouraged and expected, and you should aim for 10% below the asking price on everything.

The market offers a massive amount of international brands, and the market has become famous for these. They may look real, but generally they are fakes. But you still can buy something very worthy.

Browse before you buy, as different stalls offer different prices on the same or similar items. If you're shopping for electrical items, make sure you look them over before handing over your money. Standards aren't the same in China as they are in the West.

History of Xiushui Street

The Xiushui Silk Street dates back to 1982, when a group of young people got together and decided to start a business at Silk Eastern Road and open stalls selling imports and silk. Gradually, more vendors moved in, selling traditional Chinese silks and craft objects, and in 1985, Silk Street was officially born.

The surprising thing is that it has grown from one or two stalls to one of the top attractions for visitors in Beijing in a relatively short time. No doubt due to its attractive prices.