Squint at the historical facade of Ruifuxiang, East China's esteemed silk-clothing merchants, trading here since 1893, and you can almost imagine late Qing–era Dashilar thronged with rickshaws, merchants and well-to-do shoppers with their Manchu 'cue' ponytails. You can still browse rolls of fine Shandong silk, brocade and satin-silk, or have a suit or dress made to measure.
Head upstairs for luxurious bed linens and a museum display covering the history of Ruifuxiang (Chinese only). This points out that Ruifuxiang was founded by a descendant of the Confucian philosopher Mencius in the early Qing dynasty, and that the first flag of the People’s Republic, raised triumphantly above Tian'anmen Sq in 1949, was made of Ruifuxiang silk.
At the front of the 2nd floor is a tailoring section (note the lovely old floor tiles), where you can get a spiffy 'Mao suit' or phoenix-emblazoned qipao dress made to measure, at considerable expense.
