Weekend explorer: Beijing's best toy shops

With Christmas just six weeks away, it’s about time to start stuffing those stockings and stacking presents under the tree. And whether you're looking for international brands or local toys unique to Beijing, we have just the shop for you. And even if you don’t celebrate Christmas – keep this list handy for when your kids’ birthdays come round.

 International brands 

Hamleys Beijing

Photo by Natasha Chang

Toys galore at this five-storey house of fun! This is the biggest Hamley branch in the world to date, double the size of Hamleys London flagship store. It is a veritable emporium of childhood joy (at a hefty price).
Hamleys Beijing 255, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng district (65266108) 东城区王府井大街255号


AA Place Lego

More than 60 years after it was founded, Lego has kept up its popularity among people of all ages. Head to the Lego store and pick up a classic set of building blocks, or special sets like Star Wars, and enjoy putting them together as a family. While Lego stores can be found all around Beijing, Parkview Green's location is a favourite due to its interactive play area.

AA Place Lego, Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (8562 8286) 朝阳区光华路9号芳草地


Toys "R" Us

One of the world's leading toy and games retailers, Toys "R" Us has been wowing kids globally with its wide range of toys and games for all ages. From board games such as Monopoly to Barbie and Transformers, it's a great one stop shop to get those gifts or at the very least, occupy your kids for a couple of hours. There are fifteen branches spread across the city, one of them at Joy City.
Toys "R" Us Fifth Floor, Chaoyang Joy City, 101 Chaoyang Bei Lu, Unit 10, Chaoyang district (8552 2898) 朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城5F-10

 Local toy stores 

Sanshizhai Kite Store (三石斋风筝)

For three generations the Liu family has created exquisite, handmade kites, and a visit to their shop just north of Beihai Park will make you feel like a child again. Owner Liu Bing learned the traditional Chinese art from his grandfather over 20 years before opening shop in 2003.
25A Di’anmen Xi Dajie, Xicheng district (8404 4505) 西城区地安门西大街甲25


Xin Shi Model Shop 新时模型 (Xinjiekou)

Photo by venue

Xin Shi sells more than 6,000 kinds of models ranging from tanks to airplanes, military figures to modern monuments. Whether you're a fan of model making or historical warfare, or connoisseur of fancy cars, you will find models that suit your preference. Here, you will find the world-known brands such as Tamiya and Hasegawa from Japan and Italerie from Italy.
36 Xinjiekou Nan Dajie, Xicheng district (8322 2191) 西城区新街口南大街36号


New China Children’s Store

This six-floor children's store is dedicated to kids' merchandise of all kinds, including books, fashion, stationery, baby items and of course toys! One whole floor dedicated to affordable toys for parents everywhere. For fans of technology, see if you can find the drones there that cost around a hundred kuai.
168 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng district (6528 1774) 东城区王府井大街168号


Pop Mart

Photo by Jackie Park

Pop Mart is a colorful and trendy shop not just for kids but for adults as well, proof that you're never too old to have fun. They offer a variety of unique items, and for kids check out the cardboard buildings and even vehicles such as giant ships older children can put together. Kids who love blocks will also get excited at the sight of miniature lego-like plastic building blocks to build a certain character or place. The Galleria branch also sells a number of musical miniature cardboard structures which, after being put together with the little music machine, can produce music for the family to just listen to.
What sets Pop Mart apart from the other toy shops are that many of their items are also toys that kids at heart would love to tinker around with in secret (otherwise the kids might take them away!) No two shops are exactly the same, so there's definitely something to look forward to when you see another Pop Mart branch.
Basement level, Galleria Mall, Unit B109B, Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang district (5638 3001) 朝阳区三元桥凤凰汇购物中心B109B


Global Bowen Bear

Photo by Jackie Park

Ever seen those lifesize bears at restaurants on their very own seat? There's a high chance they got it from this shop. Global Bowen Bear is a plush toy company that caters to anyone really who loves plush toys! The branch at Viva Mall plush toys variety includes different animals and characters, which makes it very hard for children to leave and say goodbye. For those who decide to buy stuffed toys larger than themselves, good news is that the shop delivers as well.
Basement level, Viva Mall, 65 Dongsanhuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区东三环 中路65号富力广场购物中心 B1

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