Bargaining and maybe Shopping, Shows

There is no such thing as fair price

Almost everything is priced at a terrible markup, let me remove the word "almost".

To an American, this could come as a surprise, though seeing you are visiting China, you are obviously more adventurous than the normal American.

The only places where prices may be non-negotiable at least at the surface is Louis Vuitton and Rolex shops, I suspect even there it can be elastic.

The Silk Street Market, which is now actually a mall of 7 floors with some 1500 stores is a wonder. We took it in on the last morning of our visit and I wished I'd been there earlier. This has a floor or two each for Electronics, Gems, Jewelry, Art, Clothing, Shoes etc and a rip-off of every global brand can be seen here. Some of the Chinese designs of traditional clothing, especially Qi Pao for women, were beautiful. However please treat all claims of it being Silk with caution. The same goes for the Tea pot stores where things were priced above New York and the same is the case with everything else.

T-Shirt prices may start at 150-200 yuan, when you should be able to buy it at 20 yuan or if you feel more generous 25. I have to say that I was able to argue more at places outside the Silk Market than within, and that is perhaps because its a major tourist destination for tour groups and buses and pricing has taken that in stride. According to legend, prices shoot up on Weekends and Holidays. There is subway station right below it and the outside look below is a stock photo.

Silk Street Market, do not miss

Basic lesson is after you get a price, walk away you will see it fall down rapidly, I would say cut 60% off the 3rd price you hear (assuming you are outraged of your own daring at this time). You may be closer to an acceptable price where the vendor also makes a decent cut.

I found even Calligraphy at Summer Palace (which I actually did not argue about and could have, because I thought the Artists work was good) and the severe sell she does for the Lamination of that work (which I did argue and got it down to 30% of the initial quote) drop rapidly in price.

My children have never admired me as much as when I got into the Magic act of talking down the price of Southern China style Straw hat down to Yuan 35 from a starting price of Yuan 285 at the street market at the Great Wall.

It is a different world alright, go ahead and bargain, it is expected of you.

The Chaoyang Theater Acrobat Show

Acrobat Show is the best hour you'll spend in Beijing. Its heart stopping excitement inter-spread with artistry mixed with synchronized performances.

Please try and not be a VIP here. No I'm not calling you out for being a Diva, its just that they sell something called a "VIP" ticket and hotel concierges try to sell you this as well. Its higher priced than their lowest ticket which ranges from $35-$40 through your Concierge and online. They may try to sell you the "Kung-fu" show instead. Also note that the Concierge can get you the tickets even when the Online systems appears to say its sold out. Just get the cheapest ticket.

The VIP Tickets can be upwards to $100 and more and actually seat you to the side and far back within the theater, its like a targeted tourist trap I suppose. Buy the cheapest ticket and find yourself in row 2 or 3 right in the middle.

Some of the daredevilry was awe inspiring.  My entire party considers it the best hour we spent in Beijing. There is a huge crowd outside the Theater going in and coming out (if you are not on the last show).

Take the Subway to get there. and check the CCTV Tower or Giant Underpants nearby, it is a 1/2 mile down the road. All around you is "downtown" Beijing, its Financial district.

CCTV Tower