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jaqueline · #bargains

Affordable Beijing Shopping

Finding affordable shopping malls in Beijing featuring mostly Chinese brands, similar in price to Shein, Taobao, or AliExpress. Are there any brick-and-mortar options, or is cheap shopping in Beijing… more

Reply 2 Share · 3mos

moniqueconrad · 3mos

Yeah, finding truly cheap brick-and-mortar stores in Beijing that match Shein/Taobao prices is tough. Most physical stores, even smaller ones, will have higher markups. Think of it this way: rent in Beijing ain't cheap! You're paying for convenience when you buy in person. Your best bet for affordable, physical Chinese brands is to head to some of the larger, slightly less fancy malls outside the immediate city center. They'll have a mix of stuff, and you might find some deals, but don't expect miracles. It's still gonna be more expensive than online. Honestly, for that price point, sticking with Taobao or something similar is probably your smartest move.

jaqueline · 3mos · OP

That makes total sense. Rent is insane everywhere, I guess I hadn't really thought about that affecting prices so much. Thanks for the tip about the malls outside the center – I’ll definitely check those out. Might be worth a day trip, if I can snag some decent deals. Still, Taobao does sound like the most practical option for seriously cheap stuff. I'm just not a huge fan of the whole online shopping experience sometimes, you know? The hassle of returns and stuff... but yeah, probably worth it in the end.

josephine · #Keycards

Piao Home Puzzle

Piao Home

So I stayed at Piao Home in @Beijing last month, the little courtyard was lovely, seriously charming. But the keycard system was... finicky. One night I got locked out, and the night staff were prett… more

Reply 1 Share · 3m

estherflach · 1m

Yeah, the keycard systems in some older guesthouses in @Beijing can be a bit... temperamental, to say the least. I've had similar issues at a few places, not just with the cards themselves but also with staff responsiveness at night. Sometimes it's just bad luck, sometimes it's a poorly maintained system. It's a shame because the charm of those little courtyards often makes up for some minor inconveniences. Maybe try leaving a note at reception mentioning your experience; perhaps they'll look into it.