A market by another name?

In Beijing downtown, Silk Market is its name, but silk doesn't appear to be anymore it's game. Going for my monthly expedition to the famour shopping market, I was unsurprised to see coachloads of tourists entering. It is only strange that in this particular market, the only Chinese shoppers were the 'out-of-towners', because the local population shops in the uptown, smarter malls.

But something had changed in the layout of the store. Besides the usual
clothing stores, that have now gone from woolen tops to short sleeves, or the rows of pearl tables with their little stools for potential buyers, many of the stores on the upper floors had been replaced.

Here there is now an enormous selection of sunglasses of every famour brand that you can dream of, of course most are imitation, like the 'Lancome' mascara that I bought last month for 10 yuan, that has a brush
like a bristle and not the 'french' chic one. You can be caught once, but not twice. Nevertheless there are the 'Outlets' the large complexes that are at the outskirts of Beijing, where original designer goods can be bought for 50% off.

But here, now among the glasses, was a whole array of golf clubs, polished and shiny, with socks and all, no caddies alas, awaiting prospective foreign shoppers who will be happy to take them home.

But, a word of warning, if you should venture down into the lower floors, where bags and suitcases are sold, here the shopping is a little more aggressive and for the first time I was a little disconcerted as I was
pulled and hugged in their overeagerness to sell and beat a quick retreat from this den of sales!

Tip: Come with a list, know what you want to buy, know how much you are willing to pay and stick to your price. You will know if you have gone to far, for they take the goods from your hands and turn their back. Raise the stakes a little and you will both be happy, each one going home with their individual prize.
As to the silk, there is loads of it, from wrap to scarf, just know what color or style you are looking want, as there are so many beautiful designs to choose from, a lot of shoppers and chaos, can be disorientating.

Happy shopping.