Where to find some Halloween essentials

The prospect of celebrating Halloween ( that's wansheng jie, "night festival" around here) in a country whose people believe that ghosts, such as they are, hop around like the Easter Bunny and foxes are secretly female spirits waiting to seduce unsuspecting menfolk may seem a little weird to some. Nonetheless there are few people the world over who don't love a chance to change colors for a night, and there are plenty of places to stock up on the essentials—pumpkins of all shapes and colors for carving from the numerous vegetable markets around town, costumes, and the ubiquitous bags of candy. Following is a run down of where you'll want to head to before the dark day falls.

Aliens Street, the aptly named clothing and goods market in the Russian Embassy district, is the home of all things kitschy, junky, colorful, plastic and fun—you're bound to find something bizarre to adorn your little ones with, and likely some baubles for yourself as well. Plastic swords, wigs, googly eyes…if it's tacky and fun, it'll likely be found at Aliens' Street. Kids Plus in Pinnacle Plaza has a great selection of superhero costumes and creepy accessories available, as well as baskets for holding candies and decorations for the house. For wigs, face makeup, and plastic rings and other baubles for under 10 kuai, there's no better place than the Hongqiao Market at the South Gate of the Temple of Heaven. The Tianle Toys City adjacent to the market is a veritable wonderland of Halloween goodies, like fake slime and silly string. Essential bags of sweets and glorious bulk candies can of course be purchased at various Jenny Lou's and the Heping Supermarket, and Carrefour (Chinese candies)--or see our Top 5 for some alternate and at least slightly healthier suggestions for the trick or treat bags.

If you don't live in a foreign compound, it's certainly true that trick or treating on the big night may be a bit difficult. An easy solution to that is to have a party in your house—a slime throwing party (see a recipe below) or bobbing for apples would make great activities. On the big night, for a snack that kids and adults will love, simply roast up the pumpkin seeds left over from carving with a drizzle of butter or olive oil, salt and a bit of chili powder until golden brown.

2 cups water
1/2 cup cornstarch
Green food coloring

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cornstarch, then food coloring while stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. This makes a messy slime that goes from liquid to solid, and is great fun to play with.

Aliens Street
Yabao Lu, Chaoyang District

Kids Plus
No. 701. Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District
顺义区日祥市场701房间
Tel: 8046-4572

Hongqiao Market/Tianle Toys City
Tiantan Donglu, Chongwen District
崇文区天坛东路
Tel: 6711-9130