In a thousand-and-one ways, Beijing is not only the dreary and sand-infested urbanity a superficial glance may suggest. Whether it be in the sphere of contemporary art, nightlife, or cuisine, the capital offers a laudable variety of things to be experienced. Until recently, though, boutique shopping wasn't included on the list of the 'Jing's hidden treasures. Admittedly, we could find a plethora of cheap counterfeit goods, but quality design just didn't exist. As part of his investigations for the latest cover story, City Weekend writer Michael Engstrom had an excuse to visit the city's most alluring and innovative design boutiques. The following places are where, instead of stupidly buying that last drink of the night at Tango, your well-earned yuan should be spent.

Spoon House Tel: 6400-6419, Add: 211 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng, www.spoonhouse.cn Spoon is a newly opened shop that unfortunately didn't make it into the cover story -- but that's only because the majority of their products aren't in-house design. The imported fashion here comes from tasteful Korean and Hong-Kongese design houses, pushing the limit of affordable and hip elegance in Beijing. French leather apparel and other seriously aesthetic knick knacks, all sold at honest prices.

Lost & Found Tel: 6401-1855, Add: 42 Guozijian, Dongcheng, www.lost-and-found.cn
A well-designed revolution via sofas, chairs, benches and chests. At this newly reconstructed gem of hutong architecture, Paul Gelinas and Xiao Mao are inspired more by vintage China than anything else, and this is confirmed by the wide array of obscure finds on sale.

Cana Cloth and Clothes Tel: 6406-0699, Add: 26 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng
The most unassuming shop on all of NLGX, bathed merely in white and adorned merely by two racks of clothes. Yet all Cana's clothes are conceived and born inside its minimal confines. Small-scale, one-hundred percent fashion innovation.

NLGX Design & Cafe Tel: 6404-8088, Add: 33 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng, www.nlgx.org
People walk by and see only a cafe, but inside is a reserve of hip Beijing-flavored T-shirts. In line with the cafe's location is the thoughtful "不拆" (_bu chai_ -- don't demolish) t-shirt, perfect for all us who would like to see the city's hutong preserved. Other great t-shirts and zany little dolls, too.

Plastered T-shirts Tel: 8884-8855, Add: 61 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng, www.plasteredtshirts.com
Beijing t-shirt fashion. Plastered's uber-pekinese designs have almost reached cult status. 'Nuff said.

Grifted Tel: 8404-4809, Add: 32 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng, www.grifted.com.cn
Witty, witty, and witty. Founder and designer PP transfers both the political and everyday facets of life in China onto each and every Grifted article. T-shirts, dolls, paper, home accessories, it's all fun.

Mu Handicraft Tel: 8404-3217, Add: 99 Nanluoguxiang / 2 Yandaixiejie, Dongcheng, www.craftfx.com
The perfect place to buy gifts for that special lover or budding writer in your life. We're willing to bet, though, that the designers of these crafty notebooks would cringe upon hearing that. They're a bunch of former musicians, serious about making thoughts utilitarian.

The Thing Tel: 5971-6088, Add: 4F-41 Xidan Joy City, www.thething.cn
Shanghai transplant design houses both artistic and humorous clothing, none of which could possibly be found outside of this country. Interesting ideas only suitable for kids outta the 80's (_80后, straight up!).

ENO Tel: 5971-6233, Add: 51A, 4/F 131 Xidan North Street (Xidan Joy City), www.eno.cn
Futuristic and loud, ENO's design comes from creative minds all over the nation. It's like design, dancing with loads of color, all up in your face. Some of it can be a bit pricey, but most of this clothing (artist Yan Wei's pieces come to mind) is worth every fen.

Emo+ Tel: 8589-2787, Add: Room 103, No.4 Orange Building, SOHO New Town, www.emo.com.cn
A hip collection of bigger designer names are available here. If you are in the Dawanglu area, there is no reason that you shouldn't have a peek. Against your will, you'll probably walk out with a purchase.

Fengguo Box Tel: 63576004 ext. 128, Add: Zhongguancun Pedestrian Street, Haidian, www.fengguo.com.cn
Fostering creativity out in the academic boondocks of Beijing. Dozens of little "boxes" shelter the works of Beijing's design wunderkind. Almost anything you can imagine has been produced at the hands of the Fengguo collective. Word has it they are opening a sister branch out in Xidan. Nice.