Today, many Chinese are also Disney fans, even if they haven’t been to Disney Land or seen the original cartoons. Both Mickey and Donald are household names here nonetheless. Trendyland caters to these fans, with tons of products with your favorite Disney characters.

All the shop assistants here wear white and red polka-dot dresses ala Minnie. When I entered, the first item that caught my eyes was “Mickey's bedroom,” with his bed, desk and bedroom furniture, at the corner of the shop. Elsewhere, the store is packed with convenient life-style products: make-up boxes, key rings, mirrors and even earrings.

While the shop's most popular products are accessories for girls, I fell in love with the Mickey ice cream maker (RMB 932). Nearly half the height of a person, the ice-cream maker has Mickey's image on each side. If you like ice cream, as I do, and want to make some yourself, don't hesitate to let Mickey help.

What I appreciate

The ice-cream maker with Mickey's image on each side

What customers appreciate

Various products with Disney cartoon figures

Located within the famous Silk Street Market, Mood UK is an ultra-chic boutique where you can find good-looking party dresses without having to break the bank.

The focal point is the shelf built into the wall, on which are displayed retro-silk handbags (RMB 320) reminiscent of the vintage Shanghai style, and glittery gold leather handbags (RMB 480). Other accessories available include glass and silver jewelry.

The ready-to-wear evening dress selection features a touch of traditional Chinese clothing chic (starting from RMB 1,500), and is designed by the owner, Cindy Ma, who hails from Hong Kong and runs another two Mood UK stores in both Hong Kong and London.

Cindy also custom tailors dresses and handpicks items from a variety of fashion collections from Japan and Korea. She speaks very good English, so just let her know your favorite design: she’ll make your chic dream come true.

What I appreciate

The glittery gold leather handbag

What customers appreciate

The very traditional Chinese clothing and a variety of fashion accessories

After opening two luxury fashion stores for women in the China World shopping mall – Massimo Rebecchi and Konplott – Helen Sun decided to try something new for her new store. This time, she's turning to high-end cuddly toys.

This Steiff store, the first of its kind in China, stocks an assortment of the classic mohair teddy bears and animals, famous worldwide as favorites of children everywhere. However, Steiff's toys don’t just attracting kids. The detailed craftsmanship of their bears alone makes them great collector items.

I was enchanted by the adorable limited edition bears, including one playing violin in a purple dress (RMB 3,980), a bear in a pilot's outfit (RMB 3,880), and one in full bridal attire (RMB 1,480). The piece de resistance, however, is their Steiff 125th Anniversary Teddy Bear, made of golden silk mohair, with sapphire eyes set in yellow gold and surrounded by diamonds.

What I appreciate

The Steiff 125th Anniversary Teddy Bear

What customers appreciate

The classic mohair teddy bears

Within Jianwai SOHO, you can find Galatea Bridal, an English brand of bridal wear who knows how to dress you and your gals for the big day.

Here, you won't find exaggerated wedding dresses filled with inane details. Instead, you’ll find more than 100 simple and elegant dresses for brides, bridesmaids, and flower girls. Try on their designs until you find one just perfect for you. Once you’ve chosen a design, the store will custom tailor it, to ensure the gown fits you perfectly. Tailoring takes 45-60 days, so be sure to place your order early.

Prices range from RMB 1,000-8,000 for each dress. They also have matching accessories by local designers available. So if you to jazz up your wedding dress with a red satin clutch, a handmade crystal necklace, or sleek pearl jewelry, you don’t need to shop elsewhere.

The shop assistants speak basic English, so the simple conversation is not a problem.

What I appreciate

The dedicated bridal wear

What customers appreciate

The dedicated bridal wear

Felissimo is a Japanese chain with four branches in Beijing now. Their newly opened China World Shopping Mall branch carries a variety of everyday life knickknacks like ceramic utensils, green-tea-filled pillows, chemistry set-inspired vases, and many other unique ideas for home decor.

They also have a line of stylish casual clothing line, including hooded wool sweaters (RMB 529), wool-knitted skirts (RMB 529), and warm winter jackets with faux wool lining (RMB 729). These stylish items not only look good, but also very practical for Beijing’s cold winter. The designs tend to be unisex, and come in sizes for all ages.

The prices range from RMB 9 for a business card holder, going up to RMB 1,199 for a men's jacket. The assistants speak basic English and good Japanese, so simple conversation is not a problem.

What I appreciate

The men's jacket

What customers appreciate

Nice line of clothes and strange accessories

Located on ChaoWai DaJie, Dao Jia Chang is a perfect place for Beijing snack lovers. With the name that means “have dinner at home”, you can imagine that this is a homely place. Upon entering the restaurant, I felt as if I was taken back to 1930s Beijing, with waiters dressed charmingly in old-style outfits, kitschy paintings on the walls, and most importantly, the smells of every authentic Beijing snacks that filling the air.

TYou can find all the traditional Beijing special snacks for a quick meal. My favorite, and one of the best-known dish, is zha jian mian - homemade noodles with diced pork and raw veggies topped off in a fried soybean sauce. At RMB 8, there’s enough food for a small meal. The noodles at Dao Jia Chang are made-from-scratch to ensure the freshest taste. Be sure to try it at least once, for it is favorite local dish.

Take a look around for something you like, Although the shop assistants cannot speak English, you can select your favorite dish from their menu. The average expense for each person at the restaurant is about RMB 35 for a full meal. And you get to eat like the locals.

What I appreciate

Zha jiang mian

What customers appreciate

A large selection of authentic Beijing snacks

Located within the China World Hotel, Aria Bar and Restaurant delivers stylish, modern European cuisines courtesy of Chef de Cuisine Nicholas Blair. With an extensive wine selection built to complement the menu, every meal is certain to be unique, and delightfully memorable.

We arrived early and sat at the bar where a pre-dinner drink went perfectly with the live jazz music. Famed for an evolving menu that embraces Mediterranean influences, almost every guest sing praises of the restaurant after a meal there. A must try is the Wagyu beef burger - absolutely delicious!

Aria's decor doesn't disappoint either. Its main dining room has a bright and relaxed atmosphere with little alcoves carved off by velvet curtains. You can also hear a band bringing in the crowds between 5.30 and 7pm.

The average expense for each person is between RMB 300 to RMB 10,000. Though a bit expensive for a restaurant in Beijing, it is still worth it. Its accolades include mentioning in "To Go List of Hottest Restaurants in the World" by Food & Wine magazine, and "One of the Top 10 Western Restaurants in China", in 21st Century Business Herald. All waiters there speak excellent English.

What I appreciate

Authentic European cuisine

What customers appreciate

Authentic European cuisine and fantastic dining atmosphere