Silk Street

My grandad is on a mission to get me a big coat because the ones I brought are not warm enough.

So today we went to Silk Street. This thing is on the tourist map and sure enough when we arrived there was a coach stop and a few groups waiting to go in or depart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Street

It has 5 levels of shopping, again designated by type. I was interested in level 4 which was handicrafts, but somehow that got skipped.

We began on level 3 which had underwear (Bjorn Borg and Calvin Klein!). I saw a girl pick up a handful and a plastic bag and run after a really tall white guy shouting that he really did want them and 100. He kept shaking his head and walking.

Unfortunately I managed to offend someone - I lingered too long and asked how much for a jacket I didn't want at all, so although she kept talking down and down the price I still didn't want it.

Each level is basically set up like Nine Mens Morris (the game). The centre has the escalators and there are shops facing them, then there are shops behind them facing outwards, then shops against the walls. The outer ring was all tailors. Tables and tables of fabrics and books. A few dummies modelling some of the designs. Everything is quite basic - suits, jackets and skirts. Some long evening gowns in the chinese chongsam style. Up here was also the silk and cashmere goods section. I found a pashmina for mum, I hope she likes tan and orange. I picked a purple and pink cotton scarf. Grandad bargained the woman down by almost half to 250rmb (about $40).

But sadly, this place has no charm and little history.