Shopping!
First trip to Xi Dan:
Hooray!! Our first shopping trip is finally here. =DD However, the bus stopped at somewhere away from Xi Dan shopping mall and we were to take a 10 mins walk in the
cold before reaching our destination. =(( Upon reaching Xi Dan, our first reaction( for most of us) is: " Hey this place is quite similar to Bugis Street in Singapore!!"
Before starting our shopping trip, our tour guide Dan Dan emphasized the following again: " PLS TRY TO CUT DOWN THE GIVEN PRICE BY AT LEAST HALF!!"
(She has been mentioning this when we were on the bus) =PP
After the briefing by the teachers and Dan Dan, OFF WE GO to do our SHOPPING!! " CHIONG AH...!!" =DD
Structure of Xi Dan shopping mall:
Basement: Food and beverages ( Erm I'm not too sure what else is sold here... Hahas cos I didn't go to this level..Sry Guys!!)
1st Level: Ancessories and some Manicure shops
2nd Level: Bags and shoes
3rd Level: Clothings
Alright, let's move on to e price shopping part. As it was e first time I am doing " price slashing", thus I wasn't quite good at it. * Embarrased*
Instead, Tze Wei( who's a GUY!!), was MUCH MUCH BETTER in "price slashing" than me. Hahas. He managed to help me cut down e price of a bag from RMB $90
(= S$18) to RMB $50 (=s$10). Hahas Thks Tze Wei!! =))
Also, I finally realised why Dan Dan kept mentioning abt cutting down the prices by at least 1/2. Hahas. Thks Dan Dan!! ^^
However, the gals have also did a great job in cutting down the prices. =DD For eg, Shin YUn managed to get 4 bags at RMB $120. The given price for the bag is RMB
120 EACH. Hahas surprised rite? Geat job Shin Yun!! =))
Although i'm not too sure how the others are doing( Sry!!)... however, I believe most of us have had a fun experience!! ^^ (Pls feel free to share ur experience in tis blog)
The shopping time was from 3.30 pm to ard 5pm. To be honest, the time given is toooo SHORT. Hahas it would be better if much more time is given. =PP
At the end of the shopping trip, most of us were busy "showing off" our items to each other. We started discussing abt our experiences and finally came to the following
conclusion:
* The most useful technique in price slashing:
student A : (to shopkeeper) How much is this bag?
Shopkeeper: RMB 150.
student A: Too expensive...Really too expensive.
Shopkeeper: No la. It's not expensive. Ok quote ur price.
student A: RMB 40.
Shopkeeper: Cannot.
Student B: HEY LET'S GO. LET'S GO TO OTHER SHOPS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR BAGS,
Student A: OK!!
Shopkeeper: OK, don't go off first. RMB 100. That's the lowest price.
Student A and B: Let's go.
Shopkeeper: Alright! Deal. RMB 40.
Hahas above is just a short scenario to explain the best technique mentioned earlier. Although it might not be useful eveytime, however, for most of the time, it is very
effective!! =DD No harm trying tis technique when you haf a chance to do "price slashing".
Kaes. This shd be all for the first trip to Xi Dan. Really miss tis place lotz after leaving!! =((
2nd Trip to Xi Dan:
After much "harassement" from the students, the teachers and tour guides have finally agreed to bring us to Xi Dan again!! Hahas thks!! =)) Also, the shopping time
given was much longer.*Hooray!!* We were given about 3 hours to do our shopping.
This time, most of us came prepared and were ready to do a good "slashing". However, we were brought to another shopping mall (which is located beside Xi Dan) before
starting our shopping at Xi Dan shopping mall.
STructure of the new shopping mall:
1st floor: Food and local delicacies (Yummy!!)
2nd floor: Shoes
3rd floor: Ancessories
4th floor: Males department
5th floor: Females department
However, this is the 2nd time I'm here at tis new shopping mall.Tze Wei and I went there once by mistake. =XX
After walking for about 1/2 hr at tis new mall, I came to tis conclusion: I still prefer XI DAN shopping mall more!! Hahas. This shopping mall will perhaps be more
suitable for gals who are shopping for clothes. =))
Tis time, my "price slashing" skill has improved alot. XDD I managed to get a bag at RMB $30. The original given price is RMB $90. Hahas. It is then I realise tat
"price slashing" is so fun and it can gif a person a sense of satisfaction. =)) Also, I went to another shopping mall which is located opposite of Xi Dan Mall. The structure
of this mall is very similar to tat of Xi Dan. Thus, i shall not further elaborate abt tis mall... Sry!!
Another interesting incident is: My friends and I are mistaken as Koreans in some of the shops. Tis is probably because we are communicating in english??? Hahas.
I dun realli knoe the reason why we are mistaken as Koreans... But tis is wat the shop keepers said when they saw us: " Hey, look. There are a few koreans here." However,
when we start speaking in chinese to the shop keeper, they will ask the following Qn: " Which country are you from? " Hahas I tink tis must haf happened to mani of us
when we are shopping in Xi Dan. =PP
Also, for tis time, some of the groups had asked Dan Dan & Apple along to shop with them. ( cos Dan Dan & Apple are realli GOOD in bringing down prices) Hahas.
Although I didn't get the chance to witness how good their skills are, however, from the satisfied look of the students aft the trip, I'm quite sure tat they are pleased
with the performance of our tour guides. =DD
Tink I shall stop here for the 2nd trip to Xi Dan. Hahas. If u haf much much more things to share, pls do write it in tis blog. ^^ We will luv to read more interesting
experiences. Lastly, I believe most of us will miss the experiences in Xi Dan...MISS XI DAN LOTZ...
Silk Street
27th Nov 2007. Our LAST day in Beijing.
Aft spending 10days in Beijing, it is finally time to bid farewell to Beijing. =((
However, before we depart for the airport, we were brought to our last shopping mall for tis trip, the SILK STREET. We weren't given much time (onli 45 mins) to do
our last shopping due to the tight schedule for tat day. =((
As I didnt get to shop the entire mall, thus I couldnt describe its structure. Sry!! But if u haf managed to shop the entire mall, pls help to write down its structure here.
Thks. =))
At SILK STREET, I brought a pair of children shoes for...( Hahas it's a secret). I'm quite glad tat I haf managed to buy something as it seems tat most of the students
didnt manage to get wat they want. =(( Perhaps it is due to the lack of time to shop. But it'ok, I tink most of us have had a great time shopping in Xi Dan already...
After shopping in Silk Street, we went for lunch at the Macdonald opposite it.
I'm realli going to miss all the times shopping in BeiJing...
-Joyce
Beijing Immersion Trip 2007王府街 – Wang Fu Jing Street Day 7 – 24.11.2007
One look and you would think that it is just an ordinary street lined with shops on both side. But, upon another close look, you would find that tall buildings mingling with the other shorter stores are lined along the street. This is something different from the ordinary structure of short to tall. Mostly youngsters and tourists were there. Even so, it is a rather quiet street.
In addition, there are many junctions and roads in between the row of stores. Hence, signs of people jay-walking are rather common. But one must be very careful of on-coming vehicles from one the turns.There are also many branded stores like adidas, Nike and Puma etc. And, the goods they sell there are definitely priced lower then what you would find in Singapore; they are not imitated goods.
Across the street is a lane of stores that sells different kinds and types of Beijing snacks which can satisfy all your cravings and fill your stomach.
Walking towards the south end of Wang Fu Jing is a big, tall modern building called Wang Fu Jing book store. I think I spent around 1 hr plus and bought five Chinese novels there. Can you believe it?! The total cost was just 105 RMB, that’s about $21.00 Sing dollars!
First, I quickly browsed level by level starting from level 2. English novels are located at the 3rd or 4th level under imported readings, which is a very small portion of all sections at that level. Those are definitely not the latest novels and most books are in Chinese. There are Chinese magazines and music scores of Guzheng and flute around the corner. Next level lays rows and rows of romance Chinese novels which only a few can be found in Singapore’s Kinokuniya.
At around 9am, the shopkeepers chased us out by shouting ‘Stop looking, please leave.’ in Chinese. I was shocked at first as I didn’t expect the shop to close at such early hours. This is very different from Singapore. Shops there do not close so early and shopkeepers usually allow people to enter the bookstore. Beijing people have no nightlife. Their shops usually closed at around 9-9.30 pm while Singapore have either 24 hrs shops or shops which closed at 10-11pm, latest.
Beijing Immersion Trip 2007 雅秀市场- Ya-xiu MarketDay 8 – 25.11.2007
Shopping at Ya-xiu market was fun. Price of goods can be bargained and it has to be gauged according to how much you feel that that good is worth. And comparatively speaking, since prices are low, those shoes, bags, ear pieces, wallets are all imitated goods, not real products.
You would be shocked that the shopkeepers would keep bugging you to ask if you want to buy their goods. Be it bags or shoes, their tone sounds desperate and seems very eager to sell away their products. Price can be bargained till as low as 70% off or more.
The shopkeepers there wore uniforms with flower pattern. Some were as young as 17 years old. Depending on what language you speak and your accent, the shopkeeper would price their goods differently. So, try to speak proper Chinese as much as possible.
The shopping mall was crowded with mostly tourist and stores are cramped. The first level is stores that sells clothes, mostly pull-over and jacket since it is winter season. Next level is stores that sell ipod ear piece and other electronic products. Basement level is filled with stores that sell shoes and bags. You can find a lot of these goods of different designs, patterns and styles. It can definitely satisfy the cravings and big appetite of shopaholics.
Qinlei
Hooray!! Our first shopping trip is finally here. =DD However, the bus stopped at somewhere away from Xi Dan shopping mall and we were to take a 10 mins walk in the
cold before reaching our destination. =(( Upon reaching Xi Dan, our first reaction( for most of us) is: " Hey this place is quite similar to Bugis Street in Singapore!!"
Before starting our shopping trip, our tour guide Dan Dan emphasized the following again: " PLS TRY TO CUT DOWN THE GIVEN PRICE BY AT LEAST HALF!!"
(She has been mentioning this when we were on the bus) =PP
After the briefing by the teachers and Dan Dan, OFF WE GO to do our SHOPPING!! " CHIONG AH...!!" =DD
Structure of Xi Dan shopping mall:
Basement: Food and beverages ( Erm I'm not too sure what else is sold here... Hahas cos I didn't go to this level..Sry Guys!!)
1st Level: Ancessories and some Manicure shops
2nd Level: Bags and shoes
3rd Level: Clothings
Alright, let's move on to e price shopping part. As it was e first time I am doing " price slashing", thus I wasn't quite good at it. * Embarrased*
Instead, Tze Wei( who's a GUY!!), was MUCH MUCH BETTER in "price slashing" than me. Hahas. He managed to help me cut down e price of a bag from RMB $90
(= S$18) to RMB $50 (=s$10). Hahas Thks Tze Wei!! =))
Also, I finally realised why Dan Dan kept mentioning abt cutting down the prices by at least 1/2. Hahas. Thks Dan Dan!! ^^
However, the gals have also did a great job in cutting down the prices. =DD For eg, Shin YUn managed to get 4 bags at RMB $120. The given price for the bag is RMB
120 EACH. Hahas surprised rite? Geat job Shin Yun!! =))
Although i'm not too sure how the others are doing( Sry!!)... however, I believe most of us have had a fun experience!! ^^ (Pls feel free to share ur experience in tis blog)
The shopping time was from 3.30 pm to ard 5pm. To be honest, the time given is toooo SHORT. Hahas it would be better if much more time is given. =PP
At the end of the shopping trip, most of us were busy "showing off" our items to each other. We started discussing abt our experiences and finally came to the following
conclusion:
* The most useful technique in price slashing:
student A : (to shopkeeper) How much is this bag?
Shopkeeper: RMB 150.
student A: Too expensive...Really too expensive.
Shopkeeper: No la. It's not expensive. Ok quote ur price.
student A: RMB 40.
Shopkeeper: Cannot.
Student B: HEY LET'S GO. LET'S GO TO OTHER SHOPS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR BAGS,
Student A: OK!!
Shopkeeper: OK, don't go off first. RMB 100. That's the lowest price.
Student A and B: Let's go.
Shopkeeper: Alright! Deal. RMB 40.
Hahas above is just a short scenario to explain the best technique mentioned earlier. Although it might not be useful eveytime, however, for most of the time, it is very
effective!! =DD No harm trying tis technique when you haf a chance to do "price slashing".
Kaes. This shd be all for the first trip to Xi Dan. Really miss tis place lotz after leaving!! =((
2nd Trip to Xi Dan:
After much "harassement" from the students, the teachers and tour guides have finally agreed to bring us to Xi Dan again!! Hahas thks!! =)) Also, the shopping time
given was much longer.*Hooray!!* We were given about 3 hours to do our shopping.
This time, most of us came prepared and were ready to do a good "slashing". However, we were brought to another shopping mall (which is located beside Xi Dan) before
starting our shopping at Xi Dan shopping mall.
STructure of the new shopping mall:
1st floor: Food and local delicacies (Yummy!!)
2nd floor: Shoes
3rd floor: Ancessories
4th floor: Males department
5th floor: Females department
However, this is the 2nd time I'm here at tis new shopping mall.Tze Wei and I went there once by mistake. =XX
After walking for about 1/2 hr at tis new mall, I came to tis conclusion: I still prefer XI DAN shopping mall more!! Hahas. This shopping mall will perhaps be more
suitable for gals who are shopping for clothes. =))
Tis time, my "price slashing" skill has improved alot. XDD I managed to get a bag at RMB $30. The original given price is RMB $90. Hahas. It is then I realise tat
"price slashing" is so fun and it can gif a person a sense of satisfaction. =)) Also, I went to another shopping mall which is located opposite of Xi Dan Mall. The structure
of this mall is very similar to tat of Xi Dan. Thus, i shall not further elaborate abt tis mall... Sry!!
Another interesting incident is: My friends and I are mistaken as Koreans in some of the shops. Tis is probably because we are communicating in english??? Hahas.
I dun realli knoe the reason why we are mistaken as Koreans... But tis is wat the shop keepers said when they saw us: " Hey, look. There are a few koreans here." However,
when we start speaking in chinese to the shop keeper, they will ask the following Qn: " Which country are you from? " Hahas I tink tis must haf happened to mani of us
when we are shopping in Xi Dan. =PP
Also, for tis time, some of the groups had asked Dan Dan & Apple along to shop with them. ( cos Dan Dan & Apple are realli GOOD in bringing down prices) Hahas.
Although I didn't get the chance to witness how good their skills are, however, from the satisfied look of the students aft the trip, I'm quite sure tat they are pleased
with the performance of our tour guides. =DD
Tink I shall stop here for the 2nd trip to Xi Dan. Hahas. If u haf much much more things to share, pls do write it in tis blog. ^^ We will luv to read more interesting
experiences. Lastly, I believe most of us will miss the experiences in Xi Dan...MISS XI DAN LOTZ...
Silk Street
27th Nov 2007. Our LAST day in Beijing.
Aft spending 10days in Beijing, it is finally time to bid farewell to Beijing. =((
However, before we depart for the airport, we were brought to our last shopping mall for tis trip, the SILK STREET. We weren't given much time (onli 45 mins) to do
our last shopping due to the tight schedule for tat day. =((
As I didnt get to shop the entire mall, thus I couldnt describe its structure. Sry!! But if u haf managed to shop the entire mall, pls help to write down its structure here.
Thks. =))
At SILK STREET, I brought a pair of children shoes for...( Hahas it's a secret). I'm quite glad tat I haf managed to buy something as it seems tat most of the students
didnt manage to get wat they want. =(( Perhaps it is due to the lack of time to shop. But it'ok, I tink most of us have had a great time shopping in Xi Dan already...
After shopping in Silk Street, we went for lunch at the Macdonald opposite it.
I'm realli going to miss all the times shopping in BeiJing...
-Joyce
Beijing Immersion Trip 2007王府街 – Wang Fu Jing Street Day 7 – 24.11.2007
One look and you would think that it is just an ordinary street lined with shops on both side. But, upon another close look, you would find that tall buildings mingling with the other shorter stores are lined along the street. This is something different from the ordinary structure of short to tall. Mostly youngsters and tourists were there. Even so, it is a rather quiet street.
In addition, there are many junctions and roads in between the row of stores. Hence, signs of people jay-walking are rather common. But one must be very careful of on-coming vehicles from one the turns.There are also many branded stores like adidas, Nike and Puma etc. And, the goods they sell there are definitely priced lower then what you would find in Singapore; they are not imitated goods.
Across the street is a lane of stores that sells different kinds and types of Beijing snacks which can satisfy all your cravings and fill your stomach.
Walking towards the south end of Wang Fu Jing is a big, tall modern building called Wang Fu Jing book store. I think I spent around 1 hr plus and bought five Chinese novels there. Can you believe it?! The total cost was just 105 RMB, that’s about $21.00 Sing dollars!
First, I quickly browsed level by level starting from level 2. English novels are located at the 3rd or 4th level under imported readings, which is a very small portion of all sections at that level. Those are definitely not the latest novels and most books are in Chinese. There are Chinese magazines and music scores of Guzheng and flute around the corner. Next level lays rows and rows of romance Chinese novels which only a few can be found in Singapore’s Kinokuniya.
At around 9am, the shopkeepers chased us out by shouting ‘Stop looking, please leave.’ in Chinese. I was shocked at first as I didn’t expect the shop to close at such early hours. This is very different from Singapore. Shops there do not close so early and shopkeepers usually allow people to enter the bookstore. Beijing people have no nightlife. Their shops usually closed at around 9-9.30 pm while Singapore have either 24 hrs shops or shops which closed at 10-11pm, latest.
Beijing Immersion Trip 2007 雅秀市场- Ya-xiu MarketDay 8 – 25.11.2007
Shopping at Ya-xiu market was fun. Price of goods can be bargained and it has to be gauged according to how much you feel that that good is worth. And comparatively speaking, since prices are low, those shoes, bags, ear pieces, wallets are all imitated goods, not real products.
You would be shocked that the shopkeepers would keep bugging you to ask if you want to buy their goods. Be it bags or shoes, their tone sounds desperate and seems very eager to sell away their products. Price can be bargained till as low as 70% off or more.
The shopkeepers there wore uniforms with flower pattern. Some were as young as 17 years old. Depending on what language you speak and your accent, the shopkeeper would price their goods differently. So, try to speak proper Chinese as much as possible.
The shopping mall was crowded with mostly tourist and stores are cramped. The first level is stores that sells clothes, mostly pull-over and jacket since it is winter season. Next level is stores that sell ipod ear piece and other electronic products. Basement level is filled with stores that sell shoes and bags. You can find a lot of these goods of different designs, patterns and styles. It can definitely satisfy the cravings and big appetite of shopaholics.
Qinlei
This entry was posted by Jaddam Hussien, on
Sunday, January 13, 2008.
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