Hongqiao (Pearl) Market

Hongqiao Market (Pearl Market) is an essential part of any Beijing shopping trip. Here you can find five floors of bustling indoor market space packed with everything you ever wanted, and everything you didn’t know you did.

There is a food market on the lower ground floor. Bear in mind this is a food market, not a food court that you would expect to find in a modern shopping mall. On the ground floor you can find electronic equipment and luggage, the first floor you’ll find clothing for men and women and also a large selection of good quality handbags made from real leather. However, any designer brand you see will be a fake. The second floor is jammed with clothes, pearls and antiques, the same on the third and on the fourth floor you’ll find more exclusive pearl stores.

However, when shopping in Hangqiao market there are a few things you need to remember. Firstly, the majority of the pearls sold were grown in fresh water, which are not of as high quality as those grown in salt water. Secondly, its best not to act too interested in anything you want to buy. Like all the markets in Beijing you’ll have to haggle to get a bargain, the first price the seller will give you will be a ridiculous amount so try not to get discouraged. Try not to pay much more than 1/5 of the seller’s first asking price.  

Hongqiao (Pearl) Market is located almost opposite the east gate to the Temple of Heaven Park on Chongwenwal Daji.