We got off at Yonganli Stop subway station to explore Chaoyang District. This is where the Silk Street and BCBD are located.
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| Chaoyang District |
SILK STREET
Silk Street is a shopping mall that carries everything you would expect in a bargain market and then some.
Their most popular product of course is silk, hence the name. Many of high quality traditional silks were sold there. They even have a museum on the third floor for silk. You can explore the many floors of the market and find a plethora of other traditional Chinese products like tea, medicines, porcelain, paintings, calligraphy, jade – all very Sina.
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| Silk Street |
Wild Wild East
Beware! You’re entering the gate of hard bargain shopping. Silk Market is the wild wild west or shall we say east of bargain shopping.
Vendors step in front of you as you walk by. They force you to see their products. And if you happen to look at a particular item and start asking prices, you’re in for a combat. You won’t be let out easily. A facial insult will ensue if you dare leave their stalls without buying anything.
Take It or Leave It
I entered one souvenir shop and looked at the items. I ended up getting three boxes of the terracotta warrior sets and some fridge magnets to bring home to friends. This is how it went down...
Take It or Leave It
I entered one souvenir shop and looked at the items. I ended up getting three boxes of the terracotta warrior sets and some fridge magnets to bring home to friends. This is how it went down...
She gave me the price. Immediately, I counter-offered her 50% off the price. She said too low, impossible. She gave another price. I stuck with my asking price. No deal. It took me the "me-walking-away-and-she-running-after-me" moment. She grabbed my arm, promised an amount that she's sure I would agree to. Offered the price. Still, I didn’t agree. It was sort of fun the first few minutes of haggling, but it got old quickly. I just said, sorry but take it or leave it. She finally gave in, irritated face and all.
If you feel shy or embarrass haggling with the seller – this is definitely not the place for you. You’ll end up paying much more of what it should be; an item that’s basically inferior or an imitation.
If you feel shy or embarrass haggling with the seller – this is definitely not the place for you. You’ll end up paying much more of what it should be; an item that’s basically inferior or an imitation.
Outside, it was another glorious night to take a stroll. Cool breeze. Nippy winter weather. Really joyful feeling. We strolled pass the China World Trade Center.
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| Chaoyang District |
BCBD
Also in Chaoyang District is the Beijing Central Business District. It is the primary area of finance, media, and business services in Beijing. A number of embassies are also concentrated in this area.
Also in Chaoyang District is the Beijing Central Business District. It is the primary area of finance, media, and business services in Beijing. A number of embassies are also concentrated in this area.
The district was decked with countless holiday lights and giant christmas decors along the sidewalks.
We crossed the National Road towards Park Hyatt Beijing Hotel to the other side. There were arrays of high-end shops; Hermes, Cartier and the likes.
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| BCBD |
I saw this odd-looking building nearby called the CCTV Tower. A two inverted L-shape building joined at the top.
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| CCTV Tower |
We crossed the National Road towards Park Hyatt Beijing Hotel to the other side. There were arrays of high-end shops; Hermes, Cartier and the likes.
We threaded inside the SOHO Villa and had dinner at a Chinese restaurant called Doctor Dumpling Restaurant. Great food.
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| Soho Villa |
This friendly Chinese dude was dining next to our table. We chatted. He suggested we do a day visit to Tianjin and experience the bullet train ride. So we thought, what an excellent idea. We might as well just do that first thing the next day.
How to Get to the Silk Market & BCBD?
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| Local guy |
How to Get to the Silk Market & BCBD?
Subway Line 1 (get off at Yonganli Stop).
Silk Market Opening hours: 9:30 ~ 21:00
Please continue reading on to Part 12.
A really awesome China!
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