This market may be so called because of its proximity to Beijing Zoo, but it could just as easily be named after the manic atmosphere. The place is constantly buzzing with sales girls chirping about their wears and modelling them on little stools for buyers to visualise. Not to mention the brutish buyers elbowing each other as they prowl for bargains.

The Government is trying to banish markets from Beijing by 2016, so go while you can and keep your spatial wits about you: the Zoo Market is made up of giant multi-storey buildings. Originally there were seven but the majority have now been demolished. Thankfully two buildings-Shiji Tianle (世纪天乐) and the 20-storey Korea City (韩国城)-remain. The latter is full of accessories and futuristic apparel designed to fit ‘Western sizes’.

Address: Zoo Market Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District 西城区西直门外大街动物园服装批发市场

Source: timeoutbeijing.com