Dreaming of Childhood

Blue Hat蓝礼小屋

“Cute-doll” mobile-phone chains and bags are best-sellers in the store, but there are also colourful magnets with charming patterns that make eye-catching decorations for refrigerators. A candy machine is recommended by the owner as gifts for children. Store candies from the top, then twist a button and pieces of candy will come out from the bottom one by one. Other fancy gadgets include lovely reading lamps for girls and “magic cans” where plants can be grown.

Address: 421 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District (200 metres south of the east end of the Qianliang Hutong)

Tel: +86 10 6400 2683

 

Aokiya青木屋

This is the place where various kinds of hairy toys can be bought. They can be either as small as one finger, or as big as a real man (about 1.6-metres high).

Address: 426 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District (opposite the east end of Qianliang Hutong)

Tel: +86 10 6401 3096

 

Tangren Shiyi唐人食“’

In this 20 square-metre shop, shelves and boxes of candies and dried sugarplums dazzle a visitor’s eyes and tempt their taste buds. It is difficult to believe there can be so many kinds of delicious candies and sugarplums, almost half of which are imported from overseas places such as Japan, Thailand, the United States and more.

Address: 134 Dongsi Nandajie, Dongcheng District (about 300 metres north of the Regent Beijing)

Tel: +86 10 6527 5872

 

Toys发条怪兽

When thinking of childhood, toys such as trains, planes and guns made of iron often come to mind as instruments of good times spent with friends. Founded by a musician, it provides a place to collect the good old things.

Address: the west end of Qianliang Hutong

Tel: +86 10 6402 1468

 

Auto Art 奥图亚

According to the manager at this shop, all the car models are made in proportion to real cars based on contracts between Auto Art (Shanghai) Trading Limited and famed car producers such as Ford, BMW, Daimler Chrysler and more. Interior equipment such as seats, steering wheels, engines and braking systems can be seen clearly in the models. Two to three months are often needed to complete such an exquisite car model.

Address: facing the lift of the fourth floor, SoShow Market, Chongwenmenwai Dajie

Tel: +86 10 5167 1049

WWW: http://www.autoartmodels.com

 

Doraemon

Doraemon is one of the most popular cartoons in China. Toys originating from Doraemon’s main characters are fashioned into cups, key chains, boxes and other adornments. In addition, cans which can be used as telephones or radios are also sold.

Address: 082/083, 6/F, SoShow Market

 

Aini Castle

The hairy fraternal-twin monkeys “Monchhichi,” born in Japan, looks so cute that visitors often can’t wait to buy one. Their lovely facial expressions and actions are their most striking characters. Others toys sold there include Barbie and Blythe. Though these toys are a bit expensive, the quality is guaranteed.

Address: 017, 6/F, SoShow Market

Tel: +86 10 136 1138 4858

 

The Zhongguancun Plaza shopping street opened to the public in late April 2006. This 300-metre-long street is lined by two-storey stores on both sides. In addition to stores selling luxurious brand-name products, there are other original garments and accessories for purchase.

 

TOTORO 晴雪动漫

This is Beijing’s first store selling products concerning the Japanese cartoon character TOTORO. In addition to numerous cartoon comics and books, there are also key chains, toys, posters about TOTORO.

Address: opposite the south entrance of Carrefour, Zhongguancun Plaza shopping street, 15 Zhongguancun Dajie, Haidian District

Tel: +86 10 8267 4001