New Jersey-based toy maker Shelcore has just opened shop in Sun Dong An Plaza. Like their rival Fisher Price, Shelcore focus on novel designs and educational values to attract customers.. Most products cater to toddlers under three.

The most prominent feature of the shop has to be the interactive playground where children can play with the vibrant toys. As for toys, there are just so many to choose from. You can get a set of three water-filled plastic balls for RMB 15, or a 50-piece pack of Super Shapees (the Shelcore version of Lego, with round rather than sharp edges) which retails for RMB 88.

The prices range from RMB 15 for a set of three water-filled plastic balls, going up to RMB 428 for a Learn ‘N Go R/C School Bus. Spending RMB 1,000 (doesn't have to be all at once!) gets you a discount of 15 percent off regular prices for future purchases. The shop assistants speak basic English, so simple conversation is not a problem.

What I appreciate

Super Shapees

What customers appreciate

A large selection of high quality toys for tots

The craft of clay sculpturing has a recorded history of more than 3,000 years in China, and still popular today. For clay figures with a Beijing touch, you can visit XiaoZhang Clay Sculpture on WangFuJing Street, named after the shop owner. The owner himself makes all the figurines, with designs such as old Beijingers, animals, local gate towers, and courtyards, reflecting the cultural characteristics of traditional Beijing.

The owner told me that his goat sculpture (RMB 128)is his favorite work. The goat is painted with peony flowers, and has a pair of oversize golden horns. The animal represents kindness, peace, and harmony in Chinese minds. The design was even featured on Chinese stamps for the year of the Goat in 2003! Definitely a marvelous piece of work.

Prices for the handmade sculptures range from RMB 5 to RMB 800. The demand is high, so you may need to pre-order certain figures.

What I appreciate

Various clay sculptures from great craftsmanship

What customers appreciate

Various clay sculptures from great craftsmanship

With over 1000 jewelry outlets across China, i-Stone is one of the best known brand names in China. I went to their outlet on WangFuJing Street, one of the first i-Stone to open in Beijing. A large selection of jewelries made of natural gems filled the store displays as I entered.

According to the shop assistants, the best seller in the shop is a necklace with a white butterfly jade pendant (RMB 80). Crafted exquisitely with pure natural white jade, this beautiful necklace put you closer to nature.

In addition to necklaces, they also offer bracelets, earrings, pendants, and other inexpensive to mid-tier jewelry. Prices range from RMB 10 to RMB 1000. The shop assistants speak basic English, and can help you pick out the most suitable jewelry for you.

What I appreciate

A large selection of gem jewelries and reasonable prices

What customers appreciate

A large selection of gem jewelries and reasonable prices

While Hello Kitty lives in London, she does visit China’s capital from time to time. If you want to find her and her friends in Beijing, go to the official Hello Kitty Shop on DongChangAn Street. You can find fashion accessories, wallets, various bags, watches, and much more.

The shop assistants recommended me a music box, one of their best selling products . This musical box doubles as a jewelry box, with a top compartment for earrings and small jewelry, and a large bottom compartment for larger pieces such as pendants, and brooches. When you wind up the music box, you will watch the Hello Kitty ballerina revolve to the music. This lovely music box prices at RMB 138.

Prices for the products there range from RMB30 to RMB 1,000. The shop assistants speak basic English, so they can help you find out your favorite.

What I appreciate

A large selection of Hello Kitty goodies and reasonable prices

What customers appreciate

A large selection of Hello Kitty goodies and reasonable prices

Located in the New Orient Plaza, Golden Scissors specializes in making embroidery scissors, dressmaking scissors, pinking shears and other specialty scissors used in traditional Chinese crafts.

After a walk around the shop, I realized that many of the scissors were also ornamental in addition to being practical. One example was the pair the shop owner showed me. It was Stork Embroidery Scissors (RMB 128), his favorite and one of the best-selling items in the shop. Purely handcrafted with gold-plated handles and a fitted leather sheath, it was definitely more exquisite than any scissor I've seen before. I would recommend it as a gift to someone who would use them in making handcrafts.

The prices for the scissors there range from RMB 5 to RMB 800, depending on the types of material and detail in design. The shop owner does not speak English, but you can examine  their entire selection on display.

What I appreciate

Stork Embroidery Scissors

What customers appreciate

high quality scissors and great craftsmanship

While the most advertised watch brands, like Omega or Rolex, tend to look good for showing off, most people only need a watch to tell time. For the rest of us, YuanRenJu on Wangfujing street is a perfect store to visit, featuring sport watches, fashion watches, electronic watches, pocket watches, etc.

The shop assistant showed me the best seller, a fashion bangle quartz watch with purple crystal beads. It only weighs 29g, with Tungsten Steel construction and purple crystal beads inlaid into the watchcase. This high-quality quartz watch prices at RMB 58.

Prices for the watches and clocks in YuanRenJu range from RMB 25 to RMB 100, with no haggling room. The assistants speak basic English and can help you find and purchase your favorite watches with fun and ease.

What I appreciate

A large selection of watches and clocks

What customers appreciate

A large selection of watches and clocks

When it comes selling products, Snoopy certainly shines more than the other Peanuts characters like Charlie Brown or Woodstock. In fact, while many Chinese know about Snoopy, they’re not familiar at all with the rest of the gang. But if Snoopy products is what you want, visit the very first Snoopy Official-Exclusive Shop in Beijing on WangFuJing Street. They offer a large selection of items featuring Snoopy, from clothes to toys to car ornaments.

The shop assistants recommended me a romantic pink Snoopy Cushion with Snoopy hugging heart. Very comfy cushion with a super soft touch, and priced at RMB 188.

The prices basically range from RMB 80 to RMB 700. Though the assistants do not speak English, they don’t really have to. Just ask Snoopy.

What I appreciate

Snoopy, of course

What customers appreciate

Snoopy, of course

Are you a lady looking to buy a hat, any hat? If so, you’re certain to find what you’re looking for at NanMo Hats Shop on WangFuJing Street. They have some of the largest selection of women's hats, at excellent prices. As I walked around at the shop, I found hats for all occasions.

The shop offers, among others, dress hats, casual hats, and sun visors. With the coming of winter, the the store’s best seller is the wool Lauren Bucket, a comfy basic winter hat. The 3" high square crown has 2 rows of self piping. The colors come in Black and Camel. Priced at RMB 318, it makes a great gift for the holiday season.

Prices for the hats there range from RMB 60 to RMB 1,100. The assistants speak basic English, so simple conversation is no problem.

What I appreciate

Large selection of women's hats

What customers appreciate

Large selection of women's hats and various levels of prices

You cannot find a better place to buy African artworks in Beijing than at the Anlian Africa on WangFuJing Street, Anlian is a wonderful place for lovers of contemporary African fine art and craft works. To this end, they cater to a particular niche audience with keen interests in the acquisition of African artwork. Anlian focuses on African paintings, wood carvings and raffia works direct from African artists, artisans and craftspeople.

The owner told me that some of the best sellers are the traditional African masks, used in ancient times and today. The people use them in initiation rites during religious or funeral celebrations, or during theatrical or comic performances.

The prices tend to differ greatly. You can buy a carved scoop for RMB 30, but a intricate wood carving would cost you up to RMB 30,000. The shop assistant speaks basic English and will try her best to tell you the meaning embodied in the artworks.

What I appreciate

Large selection of African artworks

What customers appreciate

Amazing African artworks and various levels of prices

When you eat out in Beijing, you might’ve noticed some restaurants gives you very ornate chopsticks to use for your meals. If you ever want to have some to go with your china back home, your best bet is Yun Hong Chopsticks. As one of the most famous chopsticks retailer in China, Yun Hong has numerous outlets, one of which is on Wangfujing Street. Here you can look through a vast array of chopsticks to find just the right design and material.

I bought a set of chopsticks for a friend who was getting married, The bamboo chopstick, in its original form with no designs, fits his taste perfectly. It also came with a chopsticks holder and a nice box for gift-wrapping. You can also buy the whole set (for 10 people).This simple package costs RMB 18 for 10 pairs.

Prices vary from the style and material of the chopsticks. Simple ones cost around 20 RMB for 10 pairs, while a single pair of detailed engraved chopsticks can cost 70 RMB. The assistants can speak basic English, so simple conversation is no problem.

What I appreciate:
Reasonable prices

What customers appreciate:
Large selection of chopsticks