Beijing: Authentic Shopping Guide Part of the Places of a Lifetime series from Traveler magazine

The best local handicrafts and artisanal items, from the Traveler online worldwide Authentic Shopping Guide.

Customers at an outdoor market look over a vendor's red lanterns, a symbol of prosperity to celebrate the New Year. THIS ARTICLE IS FROM National Geographic Traveler National Geographic Traveler Save 74% and experience new destinations! ORDER NOW

Made-to-Order
Beijing tailors can fashion bespoke suits, shirts, jackets, and dresses in as little as three or four days. Fourth floor of the Yaxiu mall.

Modern Chinese Fashion
Hong Kong-based boutique Shanghai Tang pioneered contemporary twists on classic cuts and accessories; Beijing designers take this one step further with artful, imperial spins: Bright "scholars" jackets. Qipao, the fitted Chinese dress, made out of Western fabrics. Sculptured handbags. Tongue-in-cheek jewelry with revolutionary references. Shops prevalent in Dashanzi 798 Art District.

Pearls
The Hongqiao market has several floors of freshwater, seawater, cultured, black, pink, and ivory pearls. "Natural pearls have an even hue and good luster; the strands should roll smoothly across a flat surface. Blemishes or flaking are dead giveaways for fakes," says Heidi Leigh Johansen, editor of Fodor's Beijing (1st ed.).