There are (at least) two large clusters of camera shops in Beijing; Beijing Photographic Equipment City in Wukesong and the camera market in Maliandao.
At both markets you will find all the mainstream things, such as Nikon and Canon cameras and lenses, as well as both modern and vintage used cameras. Recently, I have been mostly to the market in Maliandao; it’s closer for me, cleaner and the surroundings are nicer (combine the visit with some shooting). It has one big drawback though; there is hardly a roll of film to be found. For that, you need to go somewhere else, such as Photochance or Beijing Photographic Equipment City.
The markets can be confusing. Who can you trust among all the shops there? If you are not looking for any exotic equipment, an alternative is to just go to one of the larger chains, such as Ray. Their prices may not be quite as low as those you can get at the markets, but service is good.
Maliandao camera market
This camera market is located on the fourth floor of a large tea market. The area, Maliandao, is packed with shops selling tea, teapots and other tea accessories.
In this market you’ll find all the mainstream things, as well as shops specialized in vintage cameras. What you won’t find, as mentioned above, is film.
I first came to this market looking for a Voigtländer camera, which I found. You will also find shops selling Leica and Zeiss Ikon equipment. (I am not sure what is available in Wukesong, as I have not looked for those brands there.)
Address
11 Maliandao Lu
Address in Chinese
马连道摄影器材城
马连道路11号
马连道家乐福超市旁边
(The above line translates to “next to Carrefour in Maliandao”)
Beijing Photographic Equipment City in Wukesong
The Beijing Photographic Equipment City is located in Wukesong in the west of Beijing. The two-story building has a large selection of camera and equipment shops on the first floor, and shops doing framing, selling photo paper and wedding dresses (!) on the second floor.
To get there you take the subway to the Wukesong station (far east on the number 1 / red line). Exit through exit B, turn around the corner and walk north along the right hand side of the ring road. After 10 minutes you’ll see large billboards advertising camera gear on your right hand side, just before one of the ring road overpasses. You’ve arrived.
Address
Beijing Photographic Equipment City
40 Wukesong Lu
Haidian District
Address in Chinese
北京摄影器材城
海淀区五棵松路40号
Ray! (Wukesong and SOHO New Town)
Ray! has one store in the Wukesong market and on in SOHO New Town (Dawanglu). The Dawanglu store is easy to find: just go to the Dawanglu subway station and you will find the store on the outside of the long building in the south-west corner of the crossing.
The Ray! staff has been very helpful. I had them order a bag that was not in store, and they gave me a call when it was available.
More information including prices can be found at www.rayi.cn, where you will also find details about the stores in Wukesong and SOHO New Town.
Address
SOHO New Town S-0502
88 Jianguo Road
Chaoyang District
Address in Chinese
北京市朝阳区建国路88号SOHO现代城底商S-0502
