Don’t be fooled into thinking that only Beijing’s big department stores and tourist markets stock the hottest goods. Beijing is dotted with plenty of clothes markets that have two very special traits: fashionable and cheap! This article introduces you to the fabulous textile world of the Zoo Market. The origin of its name is quite simple: located right opposite the Beijing Zoo, this place is swarming with market halls that sell mountains of clothing at rock-bottom prices.

However, before you embark on a shopping adventure of a lifetime, read these tips first:

1.The market gets jam packed with shoppers at the weekends, so be prepared for pushy crowds and poor indoor ventilation. Claustrophobic people should think twice about coming here. The best time to visit is weekday mornings.

2.Keep your belongings in sight at all times. Zoo Market is a playground for pickpockets, so make sure you keep at close check on your personal belongings, especially your wallet when paying for things.

3.You may try to bargain, but don’t get your hopes up everywhere. Many places have fixed prices and they won’t budge, no matter how hard you try.

4.You’re not going to find brand names here, which can be an advantage: no fakes and hence no need to get nervous when walking through airport customs! However, the quality of the clothing is reflected in the price, so don’t be surprised if the zipper on that new dress you bought breaks after two wears.

5.Give yourself time! We’re not just talking about one market here, but several major buildings both underground and over-ground. These markets open very early in the morning and close at around 16:00 in the afternoon. Get there early if you aim to explore all the buildings!

6.While Zoo Market does stock men’s clothing, the majority of booths lean more towards female fashion. A good search however, should yield some decent stalls with men’s jeans, shirts, jackets and shoes.

Julong Foreign Trade Market (聚龙外贸市场)

Julong is an underground shopping center. It mainly sells clothes and many of Beijing’s little clothing stores come here to purchase their stock. The average price of clothing here is between 20-60 RMB. Winter clothes and some designer shoes are priced at 100 RMB and above. Usually, goods shouldn’t exceed 200 RMB.

Most of the clothes here are for foreign trade, hence are fairly up-to-date on foreign trends. You can also find unusual clothes here, but finding the true gems requires meticulous searching (through mountains and mountains of clothes) and a creative eye.

Location:

Opposite the Beijing Exhibition Center. The entrance is at the west side of the Ito Yokado Shopping Center beside McDonalds.

Add: Exhibition Square, 135 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing

地址：北京市西城区西直门外大街135号展览馆广场

Shiji Tianle (世纪天乐)

Overall, the clothes at Shiji Tianle are better quality and the shopping environment is a bit more pleasant than at Julong. Because of this, the prices of clothes are a little higher too. Their slogan is “only foreign trade is fashionable.” Hence, the average price of clothes sold here range from 40-100 RMB. Thicker winter clothes are more expensive and the fourth floor stocks some high quality items whose price ranges vary, but on average the more expensive ones will most likely cost between 200-300 RMB.

Be warned though, this place can gets swamped with visitors so it’s best to avoid it on weekends.

Location

South side of the Main Zoo Bus Station. Cross the road to get there.

Add: 28 Xizhimen Waidajie Nanlu, Xicheng District, Beijing

地址：北京市西城区西直门外大街南路28号

Jinkailide Building (金开利德大厦)

The clothes in Jinkailide Building are also quite cheap. However, it lags behind Julong and Shiji Tianle in fashion. There are lots of little stalls inside, offering plenty of varying styles and choices. You can bargain here and average prices range from 30-100 RMB. There is an amusement and food floor within the building for when hunger and fatigue take over (though the hygiene standards there are questionable).

Location: Close to the main bus station at the zoo.

Add: 136 Jinkailide Building, Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing

地址：北京市西城区西直门外大街136号金开利德大厦

Getting there:

Subway: Take the subway line 4 directly to Beijing Zoo (动物园).

Buses: No. 16, 105, 107, 111, 347, 808, 814

Express buses: No 104,105, 106, 205