There were lots of small, neighborhood type shops I observed from the bus on the way back to the hotel in Beijing from the Forbidden City that apeeared to be non-touristy, and void of street merchants. I would have liked to have been able to wander around that area. It was not for serious shoppers, however, though I would imagine that there were interesting things in the shops.

I did buy a vary beautiful Cshmenre sweater in a shop in the hotel. They did not want to take the credidt card, but changed thier minds when I said I would have to bo back to the room to get the money.

Gretchen