The best-known shop in this street is Rong Bao Zhai, which was opened about three hundred years ago, and it sells authentic works of paintings and calligraphies. There are also shops with old watches and furniture.

Dashilan
The oldest commercial street in Beijing is Dasilan, the most famous and peculiar prosperous street. Its history can be traced back to five hundred and eighty years ago when the Emperor ordered to build fences to prevent thieves from hiding. The fences built here were quite peculiar and kept for a long time. Later, Big Fences became the name of this Street: Dashilan.

Dashilan is situated on south of Tiananmen Square, west of QianmenDajie, where many century-old shops and restaurants stand. You can buy some traditional handcrafts as well. Note that bargaining is always needed.

Silk Alley (Xiushui Street)
Silk Alley lies in Xiushuidong Jie off Jianguomenwai Dajie, near US Embassy. It is a good place to buy cheaper goods and the resident foreigners in Beijing come here frequently. Whatever you want to buy, like bags, shoes, handicrafts or sweaters, you can bargain with the owners.

Special Markets:
1. Flea and antique markets
Panjiayuan Flea Market (the third eastern and southern circle)
Haiwangcun Flea Market (Liulichang)
Hongqiao Flea Market (the northern gate of the Temple of Heaven)

2. Arts, pearls and jewels
China Arts and Crafts Shop (the eastern part of Wangfujing Street)
White Peacock Arts World (Houjiutiao Ande Road, Dongcheng District)

3. Silk Shops
Yuanlonggu Silk Shop (No.55 Tiantan Road): it is a famous old shop, there is original color silks, green satins and brocades, also there is carpets, tapestries, Chinese writings and paintings, etc.

4. Writings and paintings shops
China Bookstore (Eastern Liulichang): sell Chinese old books Rongbaozhai (No.19 Western Street of Liulichang ): sell writing brushes, ink, paper, ink stones and Chinese writings and paintings.

5. Drugstores
Tongrentang Drugstore (Dashalan of Qianmen Street): it was built in the 8th year of Emperor Kangxi, it mainly sells pills and plasters. There are Ten Famous Medicines, such as Zaiao Pill, Nvjindan and so on.

6. Bookstore
Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore (No.214 Wangfujing Street): It sells all kinds of books. Beijing Books Building ( Xidan in Western Chang'an Street ).