1800What? Beijing Windows

Xidan is one of the major shopping areas in Beijing. In fact, it is the second popular one just after Wangfujing, and it is the most frequently visited commercial area by Beijing local residents, especially the young generation. Xidan is composed by one giant bookstore, one plaza, three department stores, one newly opened 9-story shopping mall, and numerous small shops. It’s located in the Xicheng district of Beijing, north of West Chang’an Avenue, and west of Tiananmen. With the opening of “The Joy City Mall” and a major redevelopment which has completed before the Olympics, Xidan is becoming a more internationalized and attractive commercial area.

Xidan Bookstore Mansion
Address: 20 ChangAn Avenue West, Beijing, China
Phone: 86-10, 6607-8477
Business Hour: Monday – Sunday, 9 am-7 pm.
Floor plan:
Basement Level: Foreign original books
Level 1: Social science books
Level 2: Teenage and literary books
Level 3: Education books and digital publications
Level 4: Technology and professional books

It is the largest bookstore in Asia and the largest Chinese bookstore in the world. Conveniently located right next to the entrance to the Xidan subway station, this 8,000 square meters Xidan bookstore offers more than 300,000 varieties of books, video and audio products, and electronic publications. The bookstore occupies five floors of the giant building, but still very crowded, especially during weekend. Xidan Bookstore also often hosts all kinds of PR events for publishers. It is more likely to see a famous Chinese writer in this building than in any other places of Beijing.

The Grand Pacific Mall
Chinese Website: http://www.grandpacific-mall.com.cn

This upscale mall used to be the best shopping place in Xidan area. But since the opening of the Joy City Mall next to it, the Grand Pacific Mall has lost its glories. You can find several restaurants and a variety of local and imported snacks at its underground floor. First floor sells cosmetics, brand name shoes and a wide collection of jewelries. Second floor and above are for clothing and house wares.

In short, the Grand Pacific Mall offers a variety of products and services, such as:
• unisex clothing stores
• ladies wear, clothing and shoes
• men’s wear and clothing stores
• cosmetics, health and beauty
• sporting goods
• electronics
• fashion accessories
• gifts, books and stationary
• jewelry stores
• specialty shopping
• luggage and handbags

Zhongyou Department Store
Address: 176 Xidan North Street, Beijing, China
Phone: 86-10 6601-8899

Zhongyou is one of the oldest department stores in the Xidan commercial area. Many international brands, such as Chanel and Nautica, have branch stores here. However, what make Zhongyou standing out are the middle ranged domestic brands. At all festivals and almost every weekend, Zhongyou hosts some kind of promotion events or “shopping festivals”. Shoppers can get great deals at half price or even cheaper. This probably is the reason why the simple decorated Zhongyou is always the busiest and most crowded store in Xidan area.

The Joy City

This is the largest, newest and best shopping mall in Xidan now. A detailed introduction about the Joy City and many pictures are available here.

Xidan Department Store

This 70-year history store was used to be the flagship store in Xidan. But I am wondering why this old fashion government-owned store is still open now. Maybe it caters to the needs of middle aged and senior Beijingers. But this assumption still cannot explain why it does not have many shoppers even during the busiest shopping season.

77th Street Plaza

77th Street Plaza is the first shopping mall that features fashion and entertainment for young people in Beijing. It is located under Xidan Culture Square and linked to subway line 2 at the Xidan station. A DJ bar is set up for many shows and sales promotion featuring the latest hot fashions and clothes designs.There is also a 4D cinema, indoor skating rink, Korean town and many amazing fashion clothes and shoe shops.

Xidan Road and ChangAn Avenue West

Xidan

Xidan

Grand Pacific Mall Beijing

Zhongyou Department Store

Xidan Book Store