Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Apartment prices are a little lower here, particularly closer to the west. A wide variety of
properties fall into the RMB22,000-30,000 range. A 90-square-meter, two-bedroom apart-
ment, for example, may cost you around RMB2,020,000. Chongwenmen apartments are
slightly higher and comparable to Dongzhimen.
Education
Educational options for expats are few and far between here in the south of Dongcheng.
Youngsters aged 18 months to six years can attend Etonkids Bilingual Kindergarten,
Midtown Campus. It's at Guangqumen, only a 10-minute drive from Jianguomen and Guo-
mao. The campus features a bilingual Montessori curriculum, taught by bilingual teachers.
Golden International Dancing Academy offers classes on tango, salsa, rumba, belly
dance, waltz, jazz dance, hip hop, waltz, and flamenco for both children and adults.
Shopping and Dining
This area might be lacking the elegance of its northern neighbors, but it definitely has a few
shopping options. Glory Mall, just south of Chongwenmen subway station, has the usual
brands that seem to clutter all shopping malls in Beijing, but it also has a few additional
shops of interest, including Muji, H&M, and Calvin Klein. Other nearby malls include the
large New World Shopping Centre, across the road, and Soshow to the south.
Hong Qiao Market (also known as the Pearl Market) sits at the east side of Tiantan
Park. It sells the usual collection of clothing, shoes, and electronics found in other similar
markets, but its big thing is jewelry—with pearls, coral, turquoise, amber, semiprecious
stones, beads, and more. Bargain hard, especially if you're bulk buying, and feel free to
have vendors custom-make a design for you. Above all, avoid the weekend if possible.
Don't just rely on the main building here—there are lots of interesting shops in the immedi-
ate vicinity on the east side of the market (away from Tiantan Park). One such place is the
Tian Le Toy Market. You won't find a great range of big-name toy brands that you'd get
back home, but there is no shortage of cheap stuffed animals, dolls, remote-controlled cars,
puzzles, kites, costumes, and art and craft supplies (upstairs).
A block farther east from here is Beijing's famous “sports street.” Clustered between
Tiyuguan Lu and Tiyuguan Xilu are shops selling all manner of sportswear and sports
equipment. Don't be afraid to bargain.
Some tourist information sites might try to send you to the revitalized Qianmen Jie,
which sits at the south end of Tian'anmen Square. Sure, go for a look, but don't go expect-
ing sensational shopping. The buildings have been beautifully restored here to reflect the
ancient pedestrian street of Beijing, but what fills them can be summarized as junk. Halfway
