Malls. You will be able to see them everywhere in Beijing during the Olympics. Retail season will be in full swing and many shopping venues plan to extend their hours to accommodate all the extra visitors.

Sure, it will be exciting to see the “new” China; the place that has embraced capitalism and all things western (well, malls and Starbucks at least). It will be even nicer because many malls will have the air-conditioning cranked up to fight the oppressive summer heat.

But what about the staple souvenirs of China’s pre-Olympic days? What about the silk that once provided the country with its wealth and was a must-buy for anyone visiting the Middle Kingdom?

It is still easy, with a little care, a little research, and a lot of common sense, to find cheaply priced, good quality silk in Beijing.

The Silk Market, a seven-storey emporium popular with tourists, is a good place to start your silk search. There is much more on offer than just silk, but the famed textile has center stage. This is the place to come for cheap prices and good merchandise. But, the first price quoted by the silk seller will be extremely high. Like most “old school” markets in the city, you are expected to bargain at the Silk Market. Therefore, the basic knowledge of what a certain item should cost can be of benefit.

State-run stores like Beijing Yuanlong Silk Corporation offer quality products. The prices might seem high, but a browsing session can give you an idea of price ranges of silk products.

Markets like Xiushui and Yabalu Market offer decent products that you can bargain down to reasonable prices. Smaller markets might not have as much to choose from, but are often less crowded. The sellers take a less aggressive approach to bargaining.

During the Olympics, souvenir hunters will have ample opportunity to pick up sports-related material. But what about some Chinese folk art, antiques, or hand made crafts? There will be plenty of knick-knacks for sale from vendors around Olympic venues and in Tiananmen Square. You’ll have to bargain hard to get a good deal, but these trinkets are harmless as long as you don’t expect something authentic.

Higher priced versions of these souvenirs can be found in some of the malls around Tiananmen.

But THE place to find keepsakes is The Pan Jia Yuan Flea Market. The sheer number of vendors makes this the perfect place for some window-shopping of Olympic proportions. The vendors here offer everything from cheap plastic replicas of the terra-cotta warriors of Xian to priceless authentic antiques. To find the real deals, you’ll have to be a bit of an expert in Chinese antiques and also have some luck on your side. One could wander for several days and still not see everything that is for sale.

Bargaining is a must at Pan Jia Yuan. There can sometimes be a language barrier, so some tourists find it useful to carry a small calculator on which to type offers and counter offers. Bargaining can be a bit frustrating, but it is important to remain calm and polite. Getting to the price you want might take some time, but it is all part of the experience. Of course, if you engage in the bargaining proceeds, a vendor will eventually expect you to buy. Don’t simply start bargaining for the fun of it.

Pan Jia Yuan is locared at 18 Hua Wei Li, Pan Jia Yuan Road. It is only open on Saturday and Sunday, and can get quite crowded, so it is best to arrive early in the morning.

Beijing was once a city of street markets and specialty shops. Though some of these still exist, malls and mega-markets have taken over the city. Visitors traveling here for the Olympics can expect the retail scene to be in full swing. Though many of these malls are plush and upscale, there are some places that look like western retail outlets, but function more like traditional markets with shoppers expected to bargain before buying.

Here is where to find the best bargains and highest quality goods in Beijing.

For an upscale experience, try the malls at Oriental Plaza. These retail venues are almost surprisingly up market. This is one of the few places in Beijing where you can get DVDs that aren’t bootlegged and genuine designer labels like CK, Gucci, and Nike. Located on the eastern end of Tiananmen Square, the malls cater to more than just local tastes. Those in search of a break from Beijing’s cuisine can find plenty of restaurants serving Western fare in the Plaza. There are more upscale shops and boutiques along Wangfujing Street, which runs east of Tiananmen and Oriental Plaza.

On the opposite side of Tiananmen is Xidan, another row of shopping centers. This one is a little more local in atmosphere. Shoppers at the central market here are expected to bargain, but if they are up to the task, they may find better deals here than anywhere else in central Beijing.

The rather silly title of Golden Resources Shopping Mall (Yuanda Road) cloaks a place of vast shopping opportunity. This place has everything. There are multiple levels, hidden corridors lined with specialty shops, and a bustling atmosphere throughout. Maybe the name makes a little sense if you are a shopper looking for a “golden” opportunity to buy. Depending on how you measure size, this is either the second or third largest shopping complex in Asia. In other words, it is a mall of Olympic proportions.