In China, shoppers need heavy mettle

BEIJING -- Shopping in China can be a contact sport. At the most popular tourist shopping sites, stall holders literally grab shoppers by the shoulder, trying to steer them into their stores.

It can be a bit overwhelming, even for those from countries accustomed to markets and haggling. Stephen Kennedy of Zambia says he got "irate" after his arm was grabbed so many times.

Wealthy Chinese shop -- and their not-so-wealthy brethren window shop -- at Beijing's numerous malls, which boast miles of polished marble, gleaming brass and pulsing video screens.

Wangfujing street is the capital's Fifth Avenue, home to several large Chinese department stores and international brands, at a variety of price points.

But it's the down-and-dirty, haggle-till-you-drop Silk, Pearl and Dirt markets that seem to be pulling in the most tourists. The Silk and Pearl markets are multifloored affairs with booths featuring clothing, electronics, Chinese arts and ...