Be a Smart Shopper...

	Remember to pack an extra piece of foldable luggage and a tiny lock to bring home all of your shopping treasures.
	On shopping sprees, be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes with thick soles. If your feet are sore your bargaining power will definitely be diminished
	It’s easy to lose your way in Beijing especially if you get excited about all the good stuff you’re buying. Remember to pop a business card from your hotel into your pocket. Show this card to a student (many speak English), a nearby hotel concierge or a taxi driver. They can generally point you in the right direction.
	Carry bottled water. The tap water in China is undrinkable and will make you ill.
	From home, bring along a packet of bubble wrap, tape, scissors and cord so your Chinese breakables will survive the plane trip back.

Suggested reading...

Learn more of the how to's of shopping...

• The Treasures and Pleasures Of China
Written by veteran travel writers Ron and Caryl Rae Krannich, this “how to” guide focuses on China’s top travel pleasures and shopping treasures. It offers a revealing look at the New China, one characterized by “communism with a capitalist face.” Learn the 12 rules of effective bargaining, why China is one of the world’s great travel and shopping destinations and where to shop, from upscale arcades to street markets and... much, much more.
Impact Guides (ISBN 1-57023-077-3)

Recommended Background Reading:

•Jan Wong's China (Author, Jan Wong)	•Red China Blues (Author, Jan Wong)

Fun fiction for your night table:

• The Kitchen God’s Wife (Author, Amy Tan)	• The Joy Luck Club (Author, Amy Tan)