I like to shop for specialty products in Beijing, away from the overpriced major international brands you find in WangFuJing, Xidan, and the likes of the Youyi Shopping Center.

XinJiang Specialty Store is one of these places where you can spend a little money without remorse. It offers specialty products coming directly from the Sinkiang province, in Northwestern China.

Sinkiang is a special autonomous region, home to the Uighur ethnic group. The area produces some of the best tasting honeydews, raisins, Korla pears, and wines you can find in China.

Located nearby the Jishuitan subway station, the shop carries dried fruits such as raisins, dried tomatoes, and dried Chinese dates (jujuba). Their beef jerky has god reputation. That the shop offers so many dry products is due mainly to the harsh climate of the XinJiang region.

Vineyards in XinJiang create wine from both grapes and honeydews. To me, the shop assistant recommended a sweet-tasting honeydew wine sold at 15 yuans a bottle. According to her, the wine is very popular with their female clientele. 

Price range: from 10 to 200 yuans, with some items on sale.