Shopping in Beijing is extremely exciting and interesting owing to Beijing’s wide variety of commodities. It is an ideal place for foreign visitors who are looking for goods with Chinese characteristics. Chinese handicrafts, unique souvenirs and local specialties like Chinese calligraphy, silks, ceramics, as well as many cultural stuffs are available here for your selection.

 

The world-wide renowned Chinese handicrafts are the Cloisonné, Color Glazed Ware, Dough Figurine and Lacquer Work. They are representative of Chinese folk life and exquisite craft.

 

Cloisonné
Beijing is commonly regarded as hometown of cloisonné whose history can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty. It was originally made as a sort of replicate for the bronze ware. During the Ming Dynasty, a kind of deep blue enamel was discovered, which could serve as a perfect material for the cloisonné. Cloisonné underwent a great craftsmanship leap during Jintai's (the 7th emperor of the Ming Dynasty) reign (1450 – 1456 A D). During the Emperor Qianlong's reign (in Qing Dynasty), the more ductile and flexible bronze started to be used for the cloisonné body.

 

Cloisonné is a unique combination of Chinese traditional arts and techniques: painting, sculpture and suchlike. Its process is complex. Copper is used as the main material for shaping the body. The craftsman solders the patterned copper wire onto the body with special glue so as to make up a complicated but beautiful complete pattern on the body. Then the copper body will be put into the oven with the temperature going as high as 900 degree Celsius. Later, the products will again undergo electroplating. At last, it will be slightly polished.

 

Cloisonné is so beautiful due to its molding, brilliant and dazzling colors and the splendid and graceful design. It is made into a wide variety of products: vases, jars, bowel, plates, chopsticks, earring, and bracelets among many others.

Color Glazed Ware
In the ancient time, nearly all the imperial buildings in Beijing have color glazed roof and other outer ornaments, the same goes to many temples which the emperor often visited. The color glaze is derived from a sort of colorful semi-transparent mineral. Blowing is the essential step of the artisanship.

At present, there are over 50 sorts of color-glazed wares in Beijing, which are widely used in ornament, architecture, and tourist souvenir, such as the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of the Earth, the Temple of the Sun, etc.

Dough Figurine
Dough shaping, as a traditional Chinese folk art, is of high artist value. It demands simple equipment. The skill includes gingers cut, pinch, rub, and twist the soft dough. Traditional dough figurines are made of purified wheat flour, glutinous rice power mixed with bee-honey and glycerin. The various colors of the dough are from mineral pigments, and do not change with time.

Lacquer Work
Lacquer work, characterized by elegant modeling, beautiful figuration, and the lustrous color, is one of the earliest industrial arts of China. Lacquer work in Beijing falls into two groups: the engraving lacquer work and the inlaid gold lacquer work, and all these two sorts lacquer work featured by the imperial gloss and grandeur are very typical Beijing artwork. In the engraving lacquer, bronze and enamel are used to make the body of the ware that may be decorated in color, gold, or silver and enhanced by modeled relief, engraving of carving. The inlaid gold lacquer work is normally inlaid with ivory, jade, coral, or abalone and was unrivaled in making articles carved from it.

 

Shopping Areas
Apart from lots of stores selling Chinese handicrafts and local specialties, Beijing also has a vast array of large modern shopping malls with assorted international branded products.

 

Beijing’s traditional shopping districts include Wangfujin Street, Qianmen Street, Dongdan and Xidan Commercial Street. Now Jianguomen Wai Street and Chaowai Street have risen to the top for the latest and most luxurious items.

 

Wangfujing Shopping Street
Wangfujing Street is one of the largest mall streets in China. It is the center of these well-known chain stores, such as Wangfujing Department Store, Green House (Lu Wu) Department Store, Hong Kong Gourmand City, Foreign Bookstore and Linsheng Sports Article Store and so on. If you spend 3 minutes in each chain store, it will take several days to visit them all.

Liulichang Antiques Street
The street is considered to have originated from Qing Dynasty, which is evidenced by the ancient wooden architecture lining either side of the street. Products sold here include jewelry, antiques, and ancient calligraphy and paintings. The Liulichang Culture Street, a few minutes' walk from the south of Hepingmen Subway Station, is a great place for shopping in terms of both variety and atmosphere.