Beijing has several shopping districts. The average citizen would do his or her shopping in the districts of Wangfujing, Xidan, or Qianmen, all in northeastern Beijing. Slightly to the south of these districts can be found shops for the more affluent customer in the districts of Jianguomenwai and Sanlitun. Additionally, there are a number of specialty shops scattered about the city center.
The streets of Beijing have traditionally been heavily used by merchants of every imaginable variety. This tradition was stifled during the period in which the communist regime had the strictest control, but is returning with the upswing of private enterprise in China. Indeed, since private business, advertising, and peddlers have been allowed to return since the 1980's, major changes have occurred in the Beijing shopping experience.
While the large state department stores still exist, they are being joined by an ever-increasing number of private shops. These private shops are generally able to offer a better selection at lower prices. The government is attempting to regulate these private shops as much as possible, but the merchants often evade the government's efforts. For instance, officially, stalls used by merchants are required to be licensed and are subject to taxation. The majority of stalls, however, are unlicensed and untaxed. Additionally, a number of night markets operate in Beijing, where night merchants take over the stalls of the daytime merchants to sell their wares, which consist mainly of clothing. (CGC)