Work has pretty much consumed my life. I haven’t had time to knit, read or blog. There have been some very exciting developments though. I am at the starting point of a three-month stint in Beijing. The husband and the boys have been very supportive but I miss them, and it’s only been a week! The plan is for them to visit in mid-June. I hope to know my way around better by then.
On my first weekend here, I ventured over to the Silk Market. The old market has been modernized with each vendor occupying a glass-walled store inside the building. There are aisles and aisles of leather bags, shoes, watches, silk scarves, electronics, pearls, costume jewelry, and the regular assortment of Chinese bric-a-brac. The most important part of the Silk Market experience is the haggling. No matter how high the starting price of an item, go as low as you can and be firm. They won’t sell it to you if they’re not making money off of it.
I have really enjoyed the food. I found a great dumpling restaurant nearby called Dintaifung. You can watch the chefs shaping the dough through a window. Each dumpling is filled with your choice of pork, shrimp, or vegetables and each holds a pocket of delicious broth inside.
I’ve also become fond of these sautéed bitter greens and bamboo shoots.
My next priority was scoping out yarn stores. In my search for yarn, I decided to brave the subway system. I had seen YouTube videos of the Beijing subway rush hour – mobs of people squeezing into the cars. Thankfully it was Sunday, and negotiating the subway system turned out to be fairly straightforward.
I exited the subway at the Dengshikou exit. Initially I walked the wrong way but a kind soul pointed me in the right direction. The Wansha Cashmere store is located off of Dongdan North Street, about three blocks north of Jinbao Street. The address is 14-2 Dengshikou Street. The store isn’t very large and you sort of have to be looking for it. Inside, it was stocked floor to ceiling with yarn. They carry wool, cashmere, mohair, cotton, camel and novelty yarns.
The women were very helpful and let me browse to my heart’s content and even snap a few photos.
Here are my purchases. First, a large hank of cotton yarn. I really liked the green speckled look. It sort of reminds me of a robin’s egg except in green. The price was determined by weighing the yarn on a scale.
I also picked up these bright balls of wool yarn. Some are 50 gram and some are 100 gram balls.
This set of knitting needles cost me 10 yuan or about $1.50 US.
All in all, it was a good first weekend in Beijing. Hopefully I’ll find time to do some knitting soon.
Agujas 
potstickers! Great treats. We have a few places that specialize in them here. I am keen to see more blog posts about your interesting time in Beijing.
I plan to go back to that restaurant several more times. It’s very close to where I am staying. I hope to explore more of Beijing besides meeting rooms!
I love chinese style sauteed bitter greens. Had them once at a dim sum place and I always order them when we go back. Mmmm… I would be interested to hear more about knitting culture in the part of China where you are living. Do people knit in public? What do they mae and wear? What’s popular?
I hope to be able to explore more and answer your questions. I have noticed some cute clothing styles and colorful shoes on women. Haven’t seen much knitting in public but also haven’t been out much. At the yarn store, the cashier was crocheting a lacy doily using a fine shimmery yarn.
I agree with the previous comments that I’m interested to hear what life is like in Beijing. Although it’s tough being away from your family, I’m sure it’ll be a fantastic experience for you. 🙂
I definitely miss late night chats with the husband and spoiling my son. It’s already been a fascinating experience from a business perspective. I am eager to “go local” as much as I can.
A store full of deliciousness like that should be a bright spot in your stay! I look forward to hearing more!
It was definitely worth the subway ride and even walking in the wrong direction. I walked past a Rolls Royce dealership, Lamborghini, Aston Martin. The teenage son loved the pics of the largest SUV limo I’ve ever seen and a pick up truck on steroids. I of course loved the yarn.
I would never think you would see the largest SUV limo in China! That sounds like a Texas thing. It would be fun to know what Beijing citizens think about that!
That’s what I thought too but it beat the ones I’ve seen in Houston! My son was very impressed.
Food so good & that amazing yarn shop! ❤
It’s been a great week so far!
It must be hard being away from family and home for such a long time; but oh my wow! China. How amazing! And that’s a gorgeous yarn shop too. 🙂
I do miss my boys. It will be fun having them here in a few weeks and exploring with them.
Great to have you back! What an exciting opportunity. Now it’s my time to tag along! (I wish!) 🙂
Come on!
Wow those dumplings look yummy. As does that yarn!
They were yummy and I loved the bright colors of the yarn.
Filled with total admiration at your bravery at taking this opportunity. Enjoy!
Thank you! My husband and boys have been very supportive. I couldn’t do it otherwise and can’t wait for them to visit.
I’m jealous! I hope you have a wonderful time.
So far work has been fascinating and finding time to explore as well.
Umm…Yes, please. To everything.
I love the yarn shop stuff!! My goodness. I need another job…
I love Din Tai Fung, it was our favorite restaurant when we lived in Shanghai…and I miss the yarn shops they are a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy your time in Beijing!
I am! Working hard but looking forward to some sightseeing.
Aaaaah! I’ve been looking for a decent yarn shop! Most important question – how much did you pay??? 🙂
It was about $25 in USD. I thought it would be less but I would have paid much more for wool and that much cotton in the U.S.
I am envious, it’s a long time since I worked in the Far East but I used to love the food, dumplings in particular. Must be hard being away from your family though.
They will be here in about a week! I can’t wait to see them.
Looks like you found one place in Beijing! I hope you’re enjoying your time there 🙂
Surely there are more in a city this size!
oh wow! it sounds amazing! do you know how much the weighed cotton yarn was in uk/us money? I am very curious! and that yarn store, wow!
I can’t recall. I don’t even think they gave receipts! It was very inexpensive though.
Did you have to haggle for the yarn or were you able to pay the “sticker” price?
I paid sticker price. It was not at all expensive given the exchange rate.
I love this one. I lived in China for 8 years and this made me miss it so much. I have been to that silk market, but before the glass stalls and I MISS the food you are describing. As far as yarn shopping goes, I’ve always said if I got the chance to go back for a visit I would take an empty suitcase just for yarn. 🙂
I miss China as well. It was such an amazing experience. Definitely with you on the empty suitcase!! 👜