I've been there and I didn't think it was that far from Chaoyang. However, I know not everyone lives in Chaoyang ! It is totally different from Ya Xiu in many ways. First, the quality seems exponentially higher while the selection is exponentially lower with a few notable exceptions. One exception is shoes. There were great bargains on a huge, huge selection of shoes. (I wear a 39/245). There were also good prices on really high quality underwear. Sometimes going through the disposable ""CK"" (note double quotes) 5RMB panties from Ya Xiu gets tiresome and you want something a little more....real? Another good selection (about equal to Ya Xiu, but still higher quality) could be found in the children's section. There is also a big book section of mostly Chinese titles. This was a great place to dump my husband while I shopped! I recall there was also a pretty big fur section. I did pick up a nice Denim Levi's brand dress from what appeared to be a legit Levi's outlet. I haven't seen anything like it at any market. I am afraid to commit to saying the things there are "real", but if they were fakes, what I consider a pretty well-honed shopping radar couldn't tell! I guess if you are from North America you would say Yansha is more like outlets "back home". Brand name shops, CK, GAP, Levi's, etc. that stock a far more limited selection than their non-outlet versions. There is a Subway franchise and Baskin Robbins on site. I couldn't tell you if there are any other eating establishments since these two were what I was hungry for that day! Across the parking lot is a huge Illinois store. The sales staff at Yansha and Illinois are totally passive, which is a nice and relaxing departure from typical BJ market shopping. In fact I don't think I heard a single word of English all day, with the exception of one quiet "hello". Overall, I spent the better part of a very relaxing Saturday there and came home with some good bargains that I don't think I could have found elsewhere. I'd say it's worth a trek.

There are few factory outlets in Beijing where carry discounted branded clothes. Please take a look at following link if you read chinese.

http://www.i18.cn/newscenter/news/guoneinews/2004-6-3/16857.shtml

I have been there once and I was quite disappointed. You will get better stuffs for much cheaper at the Zoo Clothing Wholesale Market or anywhere else. And it is quite a drive to get there!

In my experience prices at Yansha are not cheap. Everything is still more expensive than in America. I even saw some items that were still double to triple the price in the US.

Some items there are cheaper than retail stores in Beijing but not sure it's really worth the hassle of the trip.

If you know Chinese people, there are better places to buy legit, discounted clothing. There's one place on Xueyuan Nanlu before Weigongcun. Have bought discounted NOrth Face, Colombia, Nautica, Nike etc there. I've only seen another foreigner there once or twice.
They do not, however, have luxury brands at this place.

The prices are definitely cheaper than most places except the US. That Burberry factory store had a lot of 50% off. Though still like at least 500RMB more expensive than the factory stores in the US.

Btw, that burger place at the Yansha outlets have some pretty good potato salads!