SOHO Shangdu - the newest in the family - makes a break from the high-end obsession of many of the city's big new malls. Instead, SOHO Shangdu is home to more than 100 small shops and studios, where customers can find one-off pieces and unique designs, and indulge in the joy of bargaining. The center is spread over more than 560,000 square meters in the CBD area.

Swarka天堂眼

Swarka stocks an amazing range of exotic Indian clothes with exquisite embroidery, beadwork, and tie-dying. It is one of the few stores in Beijing specializing in authentic clothing from India, matching necklaces, bangles and earrings and saris.

Here you can find a complete range of shalwars, traditional Indian apparel, wedding lenghas, boutique saris and blouses. Even more alluring are shiny accessories, such as bangles with gunguroo, bandini duppattas, karch, and glass bangles. There are also various fancy kurtis, necklaces, temporary tattoos, rings, hair and belly ornaments, fancy hoop and long earrings with jumka or crystal dangles and other body decors .

Prices are reasonable, with all summer clothes now discounted by half. Pick up a delicate Indian shirt with beautiful embroidery for 200 yuan, while sale lasts.

Location: 1227, 2nd floor, West Block, SOHO Shangdu, 8, Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang. Tel: 5900-3082

Taiwan Shouran 台湾手染

Featuring hand dying, the small batik garment store is renowned for cheongsam and embroidered shoes made of linen, cotton, silk with natural dyes. Boasting simplicity and tradition, all the clothes are at the same time comfortable and stylish.

There are also some unique Chinese-style edge-to-edge shirts with delicate flower patterns, which are hand painted by artists.

The boutique provides tailoring service for made-to-order garments. A Chinese traditional long robe usually takes two weeks and costs 1,500 yuan. The store now has a promotion on matching outfits for couples and parents and kids.

Location: 1305A, West Block, SOHO Shangdu. Tel: 5900-3076

Naraya

This is the only Beijing franchise of this famous Thai bag brand. Satin quilted with a cute bow and shoulder straps, all the bags are made of soft silk or cotton from Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. You can find stylish evening party handbag, functional cosmetics bag, lovely wallet, and functional backpack in all different sizes and colors. These make perfect, affordable gifts. Prices arrange from 60 yuan to 1,000 yuan.

Location: 1232, West Tower, SOHO Shangdu

Tel: 5900-3056

Open: 10:30am-9pm

I Belle Studio艾宝莉造型

Want to be the queen of the party, or after a new season look? Wang Liyong, the art director of the studio, has designed images for celebrities like Xu Jinglei, Jiang Peilin, Tao Hong and Sun Honglei. He is also an image consultant for fashion magazines, Esquire and Fashion Weekly. According to Wang, the trend for this fall is the cute Bobo hair and barely-there make-up.

Costs from 68 to 1, 800 yuan. Location: 1323, West Tower SOHO Shangdu Tel: 5900-3162

Home Shop

The store provides candles to transform your home into a romantic haven. Hollow candles, solid candles, fragrant candles, floating candles, and more, in different shapes, colors and sizes. Cute candle pools and candle bases also available.

Location: 1119, West Tower, SOHO Shangdu

Tel: 5869-2366

Jadeite Emperial 翠馆

Though small and with simple decor, the store is renowned for fine works of jade. Delicately carved and patterned bracelets, sculptures and pendants show the proficient skills of the handicraftsmen. The store's owner is Shang Wenzhong, one of the esteemed four masters of the jade industry in Beijing. Many of the master's works are on display, though some are not for sale.

Location: 1221, West Tower, SOHO Shangdu

Tel: 5900-3050

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page17)