Beijing Shopping: Xidan

Xidan is where Beijing residents go to shop, though it’s arguably not as interesting for the tourist as Qianmen, Wangfujing or the big markets. Xidan was once something of a little brother to Wangfujing, but money has been pouring in, and it’s now more than an equal. Xidan Beidajie is just West of Tiananmen. Get off at Xidan Subway station and wander North. Xidan can get pretty crowded, especially at weekends, and there’s not as much English spoken as at more touristy spots like Yashow or Xiushuijie.

Xidan shopping revolves around a handful of giant department stores where there’s a huge choice of everything from mobile phones to DVDs. Xidan’s clothes stores are some of the best in Beijing, cheap and fashionable, although you have to bargain hard.

The Xidan Bookshop (Xīdān Túshū dàshà) has English books on the third floor.