Qian Xiang Yi, Beijing

What to buy here: Chinese silk.

The history of silk began in ancient China, when according to legend, empress Leizu made the discovery as a silk cocoon fell into her tea. At first, silk was only reserved for use at the imperial court and, on occasion, as gifts from them. Later, it spread rapidly and became a very popular luxury fabric. Silk was in great demand and for a while China was the only country to supply it. However, in time, production began in neighboring Korea and India as well. Nowadays, there are a great variety of silk-made articles available, from clothing to household items; and while sometimes buying genuine silk garments may prove to be quite expensive, it is always a good idea to buy silk household accessories, like cushions or bags. Silk items cost from $40.