Shopping with the aunt

The last i checked in, Qian Men was under major restoration. And when i was back again last winter, my favourite shops were opened and ready for me!

Lights, Ready, Action!

Zara at Qian Men
H&M at Qian Men

I have been lusting over this rose detailed mock woolen vest since 2 seasons ago. When i saw it again at zara, i was reunited with my love. Thats when i decided i no longer want it, i NEED it!

Zoo Market

One of beijing's best kept shopping secret.

The beijing zoo market, shopping paradise for all those female ones that stopped over. To prove my point, frae and bongy went back twice on their own, and my sister? she went back a grand total of 5 times, each visit she comes home with something different. she now maneuvers inside the maze better than me, making friends with all the aunties, wait i correct, friends with only the ferragamo aunty. why? because she bought like 6,7 pairs of ferras?

The zoo market is a collective term i use to refer to the wholesale centers gathered at a one stop convenient location. It is where your regular vendors from the silk market, pearl market and what nots come to stock up on their goods. i have seen brands like charlotte russe, f21, bershka, zara etc. so seriously, believe me when i say this is shopping paradise.

There are many wholesale centers in the area, of which i only go to the one that is underground for their funkier fashion. But its a little of a squeeze during the weekend. Oh well, good deals dont come easy.

For a fuss-free shopping experience, i highly recommend fellow shopaholics to the zoo market. Over here, you aint got to worry about being eaten right out of your purses. As it is, prices are already at its lowest and any further bargaining, you would be shown the door.

Underground market

Loot on hand

Les Hutongs

Nan Luo Gu Xiang, one of the more commercialized hutongs in beijing. A great place for street photography, with all the little nook and crannies you can point and shoot at! I certainly think its a photographer's paradise! Nan luo gu xiang is frequented by some of the hippest peeps in beijing, and it is always a draw to come here and people watch in one of the many cafes they have here.

So if you have no idea what a hutong is, you might want to click here for a refresher!

Nan Luo Gu Xiang

The thing about the chinese, they do know how to dress up a place into a tourist trap, converting old hutongs into nice slumber for chilling out. When me and chiao were at nan luo gu xiang, we lunch in at Fish Nation, which served mediocre food but throw in a great ambience, they almost had me bought over.

Fish Nation
Le Poisson
The greens
Fish and chips of course

And of course not forgetting the many queer shops in the hutong. Everything for everybody!

The art performance school which zhang ziyi attended

San Li Tun

So my phone has been ringing non-stop, inbox is all flooded, the schedule all packed full, right up to christmas (i am still in disbelief how fast time flies)! And it all begins next week! I need to brace myself for the weeks ahead. The year end tour crowd comes in starting next wed, and i have hence decided to speed up on all my posts, before i get really busy!

San Li Tun, the pulse of beijing's decadent lifestyle. An enclave of alfresco dining, pubs, clubs and shopping malls.

Alfresco Dining

Nali Patio, houses the most unique of shops, local brands and international names such as pantry magic and American Aparrel.

Nali Patio

The Village, open-spaced shopping area like the many other shopping malls in beijing. You dont go to beijing without paying a visit to the village.

The Village

798

Art in its simplest and rawest. You live it, breathe it and eat it all at the 798 Art district.


Everything becomes art at 798. From the walls, to the dust bins. I have a little soft spot for such great loud graffiti pieces. Its in the colours and the expression.


I love it how sculptures are just strewn all over the grounds. Its a nice surprise stumbling into random pieces at the unlikeliest corner!

Work in Progress
Larger than Life
The Bird Cage

There are lots of pretty cafes to chill out in after a day of art appreciation. Be sure to check some of them out if you are in the area. Not only is there art to look at, but people too. It is like the meeting place of the funkiest of bj-ers. And of course there are always ugly tourists like us as well.

Bored after a while
Under the Apple Tree
Art Factory

There is a reason why this post is tagged under shopping. The shopaholic in my mother managed to find an outlet even in the midst of an art warehouse! I managed to snag a gorgeous dress too :) one of a kind really, totally worth every cent spent! I will post it up if i have a chance to!

Shopping with Art

798, a collection of art galleries and warehouses, is an absolutely must go place in my list. Dont miss it :)