Beijing’s Silk Street is one of the most visited tourist attraction in China's capital city. A few years back this street market used to be outdoors. Although tourists who have been to the old market missed the attractions of the old roadside clothes stalls, the five-storey mall that opened in early 2005 has its own appeal.
The Silk Street Mall or Xiu Shui Market is located just beside the old street side stalls. On the outside the new structure maintains a traditional Chinese look with its bold red and blue colors while inside visitors will find approximately 1,500 stalls to browse.
On the fourth floor visitors can find traditional Chinese crafts, pearls, jade and assorted trinkets. Silk products and Chinese painting are housed on the third floor. For various clothing items including those with international brand labels, they can be found at the second and first floors. Just be wary about the labels because there are a number of fake but well made copycats of well-known brands. This mall is a good one-stop shop, other than bags, shoes, and hats visitors can also buy their groceries at the basement where a supermarket is located!
But it is not enough to just head out to the Silk Street mall or other markets and shop, every traveler should first learn the art of haggling! Bargaining for prices is not a new practice when shopping in street markets or stalls around some parts of Asia such as the weekend Chatuchak market in Bangkok or the different malls in Divisoria in downtown Manila. But each market requires a certain way of haggling.
Great Tips for Bargaining - the Silk Street Way
- The first thing travellers should remember is to ask anyone who is familiar with the market about prices. The staff in the hotel, other expatriates or friends in the area for some ideas on items sold in Silk Street including the prices.
- Sellers take advantage with their merchandise that have internationally known labels even though some are well-made knockoffs. Generally the prices can be reduced to 50% or less of the seller’s price.
- When haggling, a buyer starts by saying the word “cheaper” after the seller quotes a price for a desired item. A buyer should keep saying the same word until the seller gives him a price close to what the buyer has in mind then that’s the time the buyer gives his price. If the seller does not agree then the buyer can start walking away. If the seller calls the buyer back that means that she is agreeing to the price very close to what the buyer wants.
- Buyers are also encouraged to be patient and smile while bargaining for prices. This will make the seller more open to haggling.
- Sellers usually use a calculator to show buyers the exact amount while bargaining for prices so there won’t be any misunderstanding. Buyers can also tap the same calculator to show the seller his desired price towards the end of the negotiation.
- Everyone needs to earn a living so buyers need not get too carried away when haggling so the sellers can earn some to feed their families too!
Bernadette Bangayan - I grew up in the southern part of the Philippines, in an archipelago famous for its sunny climate, lovely beaches and exotic fruits ...
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