With the Olympics kicking off today in Beijing, the entire world will be focusing on the city, and there is so much to take in. Beijing has been spruced up and now boasts some of the world’s most daring architecture, alongside ancient sites like the Forbidden City. The art scene in Beijing is buzzing as well; check out all the galleries and hip bars in the Dashanzi district. We’ll let everyone else cover the sports while we zero in on the city’s shopping. While Beijing doesn’t have the immediate appeal and buzz of Shanghai, if you dig a little deeper you’ll find the city’s charms, like the myriad of hutongs (the traditional alleys). These narrow little streets are crammed with life and activity, and are also home to some of the city’s most interesting boutiques and tiny restaurants, such as Just One Table.

Anyone looking to shop in Beijing needs to keep a few things in mind. Traffic is insane, but don’t attempt to walk because the sheer scale of the city is absolutely overwhelming. Have your concierge write down every address in Chinese and bring the phone number with you as well in case your cab driver gets lost. And please, avoid the Friendship Stores (which have sad displays filled with dusty bottles of L’Oreal hand cream) and the Silk Market at all costs – this market is filled with fakes and insanely aggressive shop assistants. Head to one of these shops instead, where you can get your fill of cashmere, quirky ceramics and iconic t-shirts. And here's our list of where to shop in Beijing.

3.3 Fashion Mall
The prices here may be a little high but the 3.3 Fashion Mall has one of the best collections of  boutiques in Beijing. There are over 300 shops, and many are owned by local designers. Check out the China’s First Celebrities' Second Hand (Pre-owned) Goods Shop on the third floor, where savvy shoppers can pick up designer duds worn by Chinese celebs. We also liked the basement level Art Space for unusual ceramics and Vivienne Lee for cashmere on the second floor.

3.3 Fashion Mall
33 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang district
Beijing
11am-11pm daily
Phone: + 86 6417 8886
www.3d3.cn

Tongli Studio Lifestyle & Arts
This two-storey building is filled with small boutiques, cafes, a hair salon and even a club. Some of our favourite shops here included Things of the Jing, for Chinese-inspired silver jewellery at reasonable prices, and Feng Ling for military inspired clothes. Ps: there are lots of hip bars in this area.

Tongli Studio Lifestyle & Arts
43 Sanlitun Street (behind the 3.3 Fashion Mall)
Beijing

Jian Ping
If you’re a fan of the classics-with-a-twist look a la Paul Smith, check out Jian Ping. You’ll find beautifully handmade linen and silk shirts with quirky details like knotted buttons and puffed sleeves.

Jian Ping
110-2 Nanluoguxiang Hutong
Dongcheng district
Beijing
10am-11pm daily
Phone: + 86 6402 4779

Ritan Office Building
Located near the embassies, this former office building has been converted into a warren of shops. The origin of some of the clothes is slightly suspicious- are they knock offs, or simply factory seconds, who knows?- but the quality is far better than what you’ll find at the Silk Market, and the shopping experience is a million times more pleasant. Number 1005 sells lovely silk scarves, while 2022 had J.Crew and Ralph Lauren sweaters, and at 2016 we spotted Prada and Lily Pulitzer. Other shops sold kids’ clothes, luggage and shoes. One favourite was WSFM on the third floor, which sells cashmere sweaters in shades of hot pink, tangerine orange and apple green.

Ritan Office Building
15A Guanghua Lu
Beijing

Ritan 2 and Silk Market 2
Located just behind the gorgeous St Regis hotel, to spot these two discreet buildings look out for the UBC Coffee Sign. As with the Ritan Office Building, Ritan 2 is a block of offices converted into little boutiques. Most sell clothing and shoes with the occasional knock-off, but high end designers from Chloe to Diane Von Furtensberg can be found here.

Walk behind the St Regis hotel
21 JianGuomenwai Dajie
Beijing
www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=110

Grifted
This shop, which opened in late 2007, sells an eclectic mix of jewellery, clothing and accessories. Grifted is owned by the former New York-based graphic designer PP. Some of the items are gloriously kitsch while others are just cool. A great place to pick up gifts for the folks back home.

Grifted
32 Nanluoguxiang Hutong
Dongcheng District
Open 2pm-10pm daily
Phone +86 10 8404 4809
www.grifted.com.cn

Plastered T-shirts
If you’re looking for funky, quirky t-shirts, head to this shop. Plastered T-shirts is owned by British designer Dominic Johnson-Hill and some of the irreverent designs feature replicas of 1960s propaganda posters, touting “woman power” and balloons with the slogan “long live Chairman Mao.” Most t-shirts costs about $18 USD each.

Plastered Tshirts
61 Nan Luo Gu Xiang
Dongcheng District
Beijing
Phone +86 134 8884 8855

Fanghua Pearls
Located inside the multi-storey Pearl Market, when you get here bypass the rest of the stores and come straight to Fanghua on the fourth floor, which is one of Beijing’s most upscale boutiques. There are actually two Fanghua shops in the market – one sells semi-precious stones and jade while the other focuses just on pearls. A simple pair of earrings costs about 800 RMB while one with a fe diamonds runs to 3500 RMB. South Sea pearls are the most expensive, followed by sea water and then freshwater. PS: check out the basement level fish market while you’re in the building.

Fanghua Pearls
The Pearl Market (also known as Hongqiao)
16 Hongqiao Lu
Beijing

Flame Tree
This tiny shop is jam packed with handmade jewellery, ranging from colourful jewelled necklaces to silver rings . The look is bold and the many of the designs are based on ancient motifs. The Flame Tree also sells reproduction Chinese furniture, such as wooden cabinets and screens. 

Flame Tree
7 Gongti Bei Lu (near the Olive restaurant)
Chaoyang District
Beijing
Open 10.30am-10.30pm daily
Phone  +86 10 6413 0828

Mao
This clothing boutique sells an excellent range of factory seconds from designers like Paul Smith, Dior Homme, Vivienne Westwood and Japanese brand Rootote. Be warned though - bargaining is not welcomed here.

Mao
69-1 Gulou Dong Dajie
Beijing
Open 2pm-12am daily
Phone: + 86 139 1061 2451