The Silk Street Market (Xiu Shui) reopened for business in its shiny new 5-storey shopping mall in March 2005, replacing its notorious predecessor, the outdoor Xiu Shui market. In so doing, it has become the inner city's one-stop tourist shopping paradise. Its name is now written in English across the entrance as simply "Silk Street".

In addition to selling previously available items such as fashion apparel and silk fabrics, and accessories like hats, handbags, shoes, belts and sportswear, the new Silk Street offers traditional Chinese handicrafts, antiques, calligraphy, carpets, table cloths, bed coverings, paintings, hand-knit dresses, toys, electronic gadgets, trinkets, and fine jewelry. Reputable outlets like Tongrentang Pharmacy and Quanjude Peking Roast Duck restaurant, and multinational coffee and restaurant chains such as Lavazza, SPR Coffee, Caffe L'affare, Subway, and TCBY have also joined Silk Street's bid to become the "ultimate one-stop tourist destination" in Beijing.

Bargaining is essential here in order to get the best prices. Fake goods might still also be encountered, despite the government's city-wide efforts to stamp them out.

Silk Street Market

Travel info:

Travel tip: The Xiu Shui Street Mall is located along Chang An avenue near the Yong An Li (120) line 1 subway station. You can now walk directly from the subway into the mall via an underground passageway without stepping outside

Add: 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomen 建国门秀水东街8号

Tel: 5169-9003，5169-9088

Website: www.silkstreet.cc

Open time: 9am-9pm; Accepts International Credit Cards