Discerning visitors to China’s resplendent capital will find a delightful accommodation in the Grand Millennium Beijing, a superb establishment from which visitors can explore shopping in Beijing.

The Silk Market, also known as Silk Street, is one of the Chinese capital’s most popular shopping complexes, very well-known among locals and visitors alike in search of bargains. Modernized in recent years, the Silk Market features more than 1,700 retailers. Traditionally, the Silk Market has been well-known for counterfeit designer label merchandise, but under pressure from authorities is moving towards reduction of this practice.

In earlier times, the Silk Market was well known for vending fashionable apparel and accessories like handbags, handbags, shoes, belts, silk fabrics and sportswear, but now the market also features antiques, traditional Chinese arts and crafts, calligraphy, carpets, trinkets, electronic gadgets, jewellery and paintings in addition to many other items.

Such recognized establishments as the Quanjude Peking Roast Duck Restaurant and the Tongrentang Pharmacy have opened branches here, alongside such international favourites as SPR Coffee, Lavazza, TCBY and Subway.

The Silk Market is a shopping centre where it is imperative to employ the skill of bargaining. Vendors will almost invariably state an inflated first price, but will usually be happy to receive a third or quarter of this figure, or even less. Salespeople can often speak some English due to the huge numbers of foreign tourists who frequent the venue and even a smattering of other languages like Italian, Spanish, French and German.

The market also contains tailoring establishments which undertake to produce custom-made dresses and suits. As with the retailers, bargaining is an essential part of the purchasing process. However, there is no doubt that the Silk Market is one of Beijing’s most frequented shopping areas.