The Beijing shopping area

This large area seemed to be the main shopping area. It was really busy and the shops seemed to stay open until around 10pm (at least, one silk shop we were in a few days later stayed open till 10.pm and the souvenir shop we visited was open even later). Having lived in Nicosia, where everything is open late, and sometimes 24 hours a day, it was wonderful to be in a place that was also full of life and light late.

Photographer: Fiona Stanbury