Tian Lan Tian (天兰天)

I have discovered another place to shop for cheap clothes here in Beijing. It's quite far from the city centre but clothes are at bargain prices. The prices are a little lower than at the shopping place in front of the zoo.

The three-story building is at the north corner of the Lizeqiao Long Distance Bus station, north-east of the Lize Bridge.

After shopping, you can buy a really heavy meal at the restaurant(?) at the other end of the station (didn't get the name) for 10 kuai (one meat dish, 2 vegetable dish and 2 cups of rice). If your speak Chinese is like I do (meaning you don't), you can just go to the counter and point what you like, there's this lady who'll take your order.

To get there:

Subway Line 2 to Xizhimen (Exit D). Walk south towards the bus stop (Xizhimen Nan). Take bus number 604 and get off at Lize Qiao Dong then walk west towards until you see the long distance bus station. Lize Qiao Bus station is also the terminal station of the double-deck #2 bus that travels around the second-ring road.

By Taxi: Tell the driver to take you to Lize Qiao Chang Tu Ke Yun Zhan (丽泽桥长途客运站).

2009 Wish List

Nokia N96

HP Touchsmart tx2

Something Old, Something New (and everything in between)

Day's going home this Monday, Kristine and I went with her to Panjiayuan for her last minute shopping. Panjiayuan is a famous flea and antique market here in Beijing. Many foreigners and locals come here, some to buy stuff, some (like me) for the experience. Haggling is the norm. Kristine got 14 thin bangles for only 35 kuai (the same kind of bangles that Day got 30 kuai for just 7 pieces).

Day is looking for presents for her friends and relatives back home.

They have everything here. You name it, they have it. Wood carved Buddhas, the "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys, silver, gold and bronze pigs, Mao statues are mixed with pocket watches, incense burners, figurines and some other knick knacks.

There are also several stores selling paintings, and posters, and other stuff.

I was supposed to just accompany Day, but I figured since I was already there, might as well take advantage of it. So, I got this silver ring for 10 kuai.

...and this silver bangle for 15 kuai,

...and this ethnic bag for 40 kuai (yes, I know, another bag!). I also bought a silver hairclip for 15 kuai. Well, what do you know? I'm poor again...

How we got there: Well, there's always the cab option but for us who are trying to save money to spend on other things :-), we took the bus. We took the bus no. 800 at Chaoyangmen Nan bus stop (near Chaoyangmen subway exit B) and got off one bus stop away from the terminal. Then we walked eastwards following the signs...