On the eastern side of the Embassy of the United States, you will find a couple of narrow lanes jammed with human traffic. That is the Silk Market, which is also known as “Silk Alley” or “OK Street,” but it has much more than just silk to offer. Shops along the narrow lanes are filled with silk products and other export-quality clothing at low, low prices. Cashmere garments, down jackets, leather goods, shoes, hats, watches and some handicrafts and trinkets can be found here.

Eastern European buyers are regulars at the Silk Market. They come with cash, big empty bags, hand calculators, and enough bartering English to get by. They leave with bags stuffed full of silk shirts, scarves, jackets, and lingerie. Jeans and denim products are also popular and profitable commodities for this crew.

Many newcomers to Beijing lose all common sense in the Silk Market. You may notice quite a few famous name-brand items, and you may wonder how a Timberland down jacket can sell for US$20. The answer is not clear. Sometimes the goods are counterfeit, but more often the merchant has a relative in a clothing factory that can get excess products or slightly imperfect products for super cheap prices. At least that is one theory. No matter what the case may be, it is a place for bargain shopping.

Silk and cashmere goods are also much cheaper than they would be in other stores or in other countries. These items make great gifts for friends back home, especially Silk Mickey Mouse boxer shorts which are a must-buy.