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In another move that is set to make your clothing budget that bit more expensive, one of the underground markets near Beijing Zoo in Xizhimen, called Tianhaocheng, has closed its stalls for the last time and vendors are being encouraged to move their businesses to Langfang in Hebei province (see our spotlight on the city from our journey round the seventh ring last year).
This is part of the move by the government to move low-cost clothing markets out of the Beijing's center to be more "consistent with its role as a capital city". The famous Yashow has now closed for renovations, likely to turn it into a more expensive version such as the current Silk Market in Yonganli, i.e. same products, higher starting price.
The reasons for the move have been quoted as: pollution, population pressure and traffic. So, if you're up for an hour and a half's drive to Langfang, you can expend your bartering energy outside of the capital in the designated zone. When you're stuck in traffic on the way back into town, back seat full of abercrombif and titch, you should take comfort in knowing that you have contributed in relieving pressure from Beijing for the day.
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