This Board is fountain of information, I'm hoping someone can help with my question! We will be in Beijing soon for a short day plus. A very full schedule is planned for us-1st day: Badaling, Summer Palace, and late afternoon/early evening Liulichang Qianmen area- 2nd day: early morning Temple of Heaven(park) and then the Forbidden City.

I love to shop/look, but unfortunately we will not have enough time for stops at the markets. I would love to find a couple of things though: chops for family members, handpainted silk scrolls and screens, embroidered bed/table linnens and silk pieces are what I have in mind.

The guide books say there is shopping at the sites we will visit. I'm afraid this will be just the usual tourist junk, is that the case? Or are there some stalls/shops with better things? The guide books also mention Liulichang as a place to buy chops. Is that the case? Does any one know any good shops/stalls? How long does it take to carve them? What is a good price? Also, are there good shops/stalls that sell the other items I'm interested in on Liulichang Qianmen area? Does any one have a favorite?

We will be with a driver or own our on, so I have a little time to look/shop where we will be. If there are any worthwhile shops in these areas, I would love to know about them. It will cut down on the wear and tear on my husband's nerves if I have some kind of plan!

Thanks for your help!

Hope someone can help, thanks.

You can have chops made at many places. I believe I have seen them in shops and stalls along Liulichang, as well as at many of the tourist sites like the Great Wall, etc. My guess is that you can also buy them at the Hongquio Pearl Market. They can be carved in a very short time usually while you are shopping or at the sight, and they also usually have pre-made chops with certain symbols (happiness, wealth, good health, etc.) Sorry I cant help with price as I have not had a chop made in many years. Let the shop owner offer the price and come back with an offer well below it.

You can also buy them in Hong Kong, where I know you are also going. You can buy them in the stalls at Stanley Market, and I believe you can also buy them at the China Arts and Crafts store, which has an outlet about 100 yards from the Star Ferry Pier in Kowloon:

China Arts and Crafts Department Store
Star House, 3 Salisbury Rd. (Tsimshatsui)
(at the Star Ferry Pier)

Thanks, Cicercone. I had about decided Beijing was not on anyones list. My kids would really enjoy the chops. If they are availible at the Wall, maybe we can get them engraved while we are there. I'm glad to know they can also be had in Hong Kong. At first my husband didn't want to go to the Stanley market, He is not a great shopper unless we have reason. If we haven't found the chops by the-we really want the ones with the name on them-I think he will agree to a shopping stop there! I wanted a quick look at the Arts and Crafts Store at the Ferry in Hong Kong since it is so close to our ship and the time in Hong Kong will be at oun pace. Thanks again!

I agree the Arts and Craft Store in Hong Kong is probably your easiest option. However, Stanley is actually a good option, I think because (i) your husband will LOVE the bus ride over and (ii) there are a string of pubs and restaurants along the beach where your husband can sit and have a drink while you shop. Kill two birds with one stone as they say. He could also stroll all the way down along the beach to the new restored customs house (more shops and restaurants but shops not at cheap as Stanley itself IMO.)

Your other question on Hong Kong gave differing information on which No 6 bus goes over the mountains in Hong Kong and which goes through the Abderdeen Tunnel and is to be avoided (unless you use it to go to Aberdeen first). I would confirm with your hotel which bus number is correct, because I think they change. I have in my agenda that the 6 and 6A go over the top, but when I looked at the bus schedules, it appears that it is the 6X. Bus schedules can be found at http://hk.geocities.com/city8888/index-e.htm. But your hotel may know best. Most bus drivers do not speak English, but you can always ask a fellow passenger in line waiting for the bus.

Cicerone - I looked up the bus information on both Citybus & New World First Bus' own websites (First Bus' and Citybus' holding companies have merged), and the only bus that goes over the hill to Stanley is #6. 6A, 6X and 260 all take the Aberdeen Tunnel now (which isn't that bad, either, as they pass by Deep Water Bay).

Ah! Deep Water Bay! I spent four years living in Ridge Court that overlooks it. If memory serves correctly, it is where they filmed ?Love is a Many Splendoured Thing?. Although, as I know nothing about the cinema, it could be a totally different film.

It was certainly home to the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club?s nine-hole course.

As for chops, not of the lamb variety, Stanley Market was still supplying them in March when I was last there.

Thanks guys!! Between Hong Kong and Beijing you coments and suggestions have save us $400US in cars and drivers! At first I had the idea that the lauguange was a real problem to independant travel. Your advice has helped alot! I thought all along that I should just plan to shop in Hong Kong and Bangkok, but everyone talks about how cheap the shopping in Beijing is! The Beijing sites are more important to me than the shopping-my husband still thinks I will be disappointed with China! Oh well, we will see..Thanks again for your time. I can't wait to leave only a few weeks now!