Shopping

Lotus Blue Shop (51-17 Di¡¯anmen Xidajie/6617-2714) A few doors from Lotus Blue Bar is the trendiest boutique on the lake, with prices to match. It stocks a nice assortment of handicrafts from around Southeast Asia, with loads of unique Chinese porcelain figurines ranging from US$80 to $150.

The old hutong alleyways from Yinding Bridge toward the 13th-century Drum Tower are great for browsing, even if you aren¡¯t in a buying mood. Antique shops offer local collectibles including vintage photos of Houhai, looking remarkably unchanged after half a century.

Standing out from numerous clothing and trinket shops is Tibetan boutique Garum Meijing (12 Yandai Xiejie/6402-8988). Much of the jewelry and fabric is Tebatan-style from Nepal, but ask them to open the upstairs display of artifacts including some genuine Tangkas (Tibetan scrolls).

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