Bartering for luxe goods or testing your taste buds with an unusual snack is a must for all visitors, says Fiona Vella in the first of a series on her travels in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Beijing and Shanghai are definitely a mecca for shopaholics.

Never-ending roads brim with hundreds of shops offering an endless choice of products.

Ancient shops of different traditional trades stand side by side with modern ones selling famous brands.

Flea markets provide an opportunity to look out for unusual items or for a good bargain but always keep in mind that most of the items are not genuine.

Shopping can also be a way of getting closer to the locals, especially in those areas where you are expected to negotiate the price.

At times language could be a barrier since not all the Chinese can communicate in English.

However, somehow, if you really want to purchase something, you’ll surely find a way to get this across.

Qianmen Street, Beijing

Qianmen pedestrian street runs south from Tiananmen Square, just along the Beijing central axis, for about a kilometre.

This popular zone originated during the ancient times of the Ming and Qing dynasties when it was already renowned for its lantern fairs, theatres and teahouses.

Yet unfortunately, in 1900, this area was burnt to ashes when Beijing was ransacked by the Eight-Nation Alliance.

The present Qianmen Street has been rebuilt into four zones with particular areas designated for culture, food, shopping and entertainment.

Stepping from one shop to another is like entering a different world altogether.

Elegant shops selling expensive jewellery with a particular focus on jade are understated neighbours to bargain outlets bursting with souvenirs and knick-knacks.

Popular Western fast-food outlets like McDonalds and KFC compete for attention with traditional Chinese cuisine such as Qianmen Quanjude Duck Restaurant.

An old-style tram runs from north to south of Qianmen Street.

However, for those who really want a taste of Chinese culture, walking is definitely better.

Wangfujing, Beijing

Wangfujing is very famous both with locals and tourists as its outlets extend over a total length of about two kilometres.

This flourishing business quarter dates back to 1260 and has a long, interesting history.

In the wide main street, once again, West meets East since huge shopping malls with international designer brands stand next to renowned Beijing trades, such as Shengxifu hat store, Tongshenghe shoe shop, and the Wuyutai tea house.

However, the real delight for tourists lies in the narrower side streets, which resemble a beehive.

Indeed, this zone is definitely not recommended for those who hate crowded places or for people who are faint at heart, for this is where you’ll witness the roots of the traditional Beijing, especially through some of the exotic foods which you will be offered.

It is very easy to find yourself enthralled by Shanghai

Different smells coming out of numerous food stalls will entice you to look closer and maybe, if you are brave, to try something.

The vast choice will consist of fresh fruit, dumplings, fried foods and plenty of kebabs with all sorts of meat including lamb, chicken, pork, starfish, seahorse, worms, insects and live scorpions!

Nonetheless, if you lose appetite, there is still more to see and buy in other outlets. Your preference and the amount of money you are ready to spend will be the only limits.

Exquisite shoes, silk scarves and ornaments, clothes, wood creations, colourful masks, stuffed pandas and toys and a torrent of souvenirs are some of the items available.

At the end of this visit, you’ll feel as if you have just been through a whirlwind of experiences. Definitely unforgettable!

Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Shanghai is an altogether different world to Beijing and this is clearly evident while walking along Nanjing Road.

Believed to be the first shopping street in China, it stretches for more than five kilometres with hundreds of different shops on each side.

Here, shopping malls, department stores and boutiques with luxury brands like Dior, Chanel, Armani, Prada and Calvin Klein compete for clients’ attention with elegant and costly products.

In fact, more than a pedestrian shopping street, this area has also become a zone for both locals and visitors to experience the culture of modern Shanghai.

It is best to visit Nanjing Road in the evening when the area is fully lit and quite spectacular.

Yuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai

This is an outdoor bazaar next to the famous Yuyuan Garden.

Its attraction lies in the traditional items and wooden architecture of the shops and market stalls. Since Shanghai is close to Suzhou, there is a good choice of silk products.

Moreover, shoppers can select paintings by folk artists, calligraphy works and tools, including ink, paper, brushes, pens and ink slabs, bamboo and wood carvings, bronze wares, porcelain teasets, jade pieces and pearls from Taihu Lake, to mention only a few.

There are no boundaries to what you can actually find while exploring this bazaar: in corners, you might see people selling small animals and reptiles and also bracelets of simple but fragrant flowers.

A food market in Shanghai

It is very easy to find yourself completely enthralled by the exciting and dynamic city of Shanghai and feel urged to explore other areas that are outside the usual guided tours.

Particularly endearing is the sheer contrast between the skyline’s ultra-modern, neon-lit high rises and the raw and coarse atmosphere of meagre street food stalls where many locals gather to buy their groceries.

Once again, your senses will be assaulted with unusual activities, smells and sounds.

There you can observe the wide choice of foods available which includes eggs of different poultry, river and sea fish and crustaceans, vegetables, fruit and various herbs and tea leaves.

Live chicken and ducks stare out from cages while one of them is being killed and cleaned there and then for a customer.

Cute puppies look out expectantly from other cages, their destinies uncertain depending on who’s going to buy them.

A visit to any of these markets should be included in the itinerary to experience the real China.