China is a very popular place for tourists, and its distinctive culture and numerous natural & historical places of interest are a huge draw. There are so many subcultures in the nation, with their own dialect, cuisines, and traditions. While this is not surprising considering the culture and civilization is literally thousands of years old, the common tourist like you can delight in the fact that such diversity affords a range of options for shopping in China. This fact is only justified by the enormously successful Chinese economy that has produced megapolis such as Shanghai and Beijing, where you can find anything that you will find in, say London or New York. No doubt, shopping here is a delight!
10 Places To Shop In China
Here is a list of the must-visit places if you are looking to seriously shop or just go hunting for souvenirs in the famous streets of China. Take a look!
1. Wangfujing Street
Located Beijing, the best shopping city in China, this is the foremost street market here. Here you will find countless souvenir shops, eclectic food carts selling the most delicious Chinese cuisine, painting stores, and departmental stores. You can find anything from traditional Chinese herbs to modern amenities here. The evening market is especially interesting because you can locate movable carts that sell traditional Han as well as other Chinese food. This place is a must visit if you are looking for some serious shopping in China.
What to buy: Food and souvenirs
Location: Wangfujing Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China
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2. Chunxi Road
Chengdu’s best market is located on the Chunxi Road, and it is certainly a place you must go to if you are visiting Sichuan or are looking for the best products to buy from China. The province has distinct traditions of its own and if you are looking to sample Chinese food that is not the kind you are used to, this is the place to go. Bronze statues at the head of the road where the market begins, reflect a lot about the time this place was constructed.
What to buy: Clothes and food
Location: Chunxi Road, Chengdu, China
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3. Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
For shopping in China, Guangzhou’s Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is the prime spot to visit. South China culture is striking, with the ornate and oriental architecture of the streets and shops that you will find here. There are almost 300 shops clustered in a stretch of only 1200 meters, which means that you have to keep your eyes open, lest you miss a good buy! There are the most modern brands of clothing and footwear here, and also local shops that provide the best experience of shopping in China.
What to buy: Trendy clothes
Location: Liwan District, Guangzhou 510010, China
4. Barkhor Street
A break from the mainstream Chinese culture can be found in Tibet, and what better way to take that experience home than to shop on Barkhor Street around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Colorful prayer flags can be found in the market here, and you can also look for the Tibetan snacks like the delicious Tibetan style dim sums that are quite popular with the international tourists.
What to buy: Souvenirs and food
Location: Chengguan District, Lhasa 851500, China
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5. Central Avenue
This charming cobblestone paved street and the shops around it were first built by the Russians and the place was called Chinese Street. Today, you can still see the enormous Russian influence on the architecture of the Central Avenue market. Proximity to their northern neighbors means you can actually find Russian products in the markets, besides international restaurants and huge supermarkets. Do visit here if you are looking for some great shopping in China.
What to buy: Russian goods
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
6. The Bund
Shanghai has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic cities in the world, and the waterfront Bund has been reinvented for a luxurious shopping experience. High-end brands such as Giorgio Armani, Patek Philippe, and Boucheron have taken over the former colonial buildings, and with the view of the iconic Huangpu river, the Bund market is now not just the most expensive but also one of the prettiest markets for shopping in Shanghai, China.
What to buy: Clothes and bags from high-end brands
Location: Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200000
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7. French Concession
This haute and trendy area of Shanghai was once the residence of the French settlers, and the wide avenues, old colonials, and chateaus that populate the place are worth seeing in themselves. Known today as the Luwan and Huhui districts in the megapolis of Shanghai, the upscale locality is dotted with boutique shops where you can find anything from precious Chinese silk to handbags or jewelry.
What to buy: Chinese silk
Location: Puxi Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000, China
8. China Wholesale Market
Xi’an carries plenty of markers of the culture of Central China, and you can find all of that in the wholesale markets here in the Bell and Drum Tower Commercial Centre. Specifically, you can find wholesale clothing, China offers in the Kangfu Lu and Northwest light commercial areas. Besides clothing, there are shoes, bags, and electronics on sale too. Shuyuan Gate and Moslem are the answer to your prayers if you are still wondering what to buy in China.
What to buy: Clothes and electronics
Location: Xi’an, China
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9. SEG Market
SEG Market might just be the biggest market of its kind in the world and is a must-visit if you are looking for electronics to buy in China. It is based in and around two multi-stories that house the SEG Electronics Market building. There are hundreds of small sellers that offer all kinds of electronics at cut-throat prices here. The thing to look for here are computer products, which means all kinds of laptops (first and second hand), monitors, graphic cards, and other hardware.
What to buy: Second-hand laptops and electronic products
Location: Shenzhen
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10. Silk Street
This renowned street is where you can visit for ultimate clothes shopping in China, that is, if you are looking for silk clothes. There is even a silk museum here, and you can purchase silk items from Chinese brands such as Ruifuxiang, Shengxifu, and Neiliansheng. Other than that, there are also Chinese porcelain, calligraphy as well as oriental paintings on offer. Chinese jade and palm paintings can also be found in some corners of this extraordinary market. Come here for a wholesome experience of shopping in Beijing, China.
What to buy: Chinese silk, jade, porcelain, and more
Location: 8 Xiushui E St, JianWai DaJie, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Tips For Shopping In China
Here are some quick tips for making your experiences of shopping in China fun and easy:
- Learn a few Chinese phrases to make your shopping easier
- Chinese products look fancy and attractive but consider its quality and utiliy before buying
- Bargain and start from a much lower price
- Take care of your belongings in a crowded market
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Shopping in China is certainly one of the most thrilling things that you will do during your trip to the country. The list of products to buy from China is endless, making the trip challenging and exhilarating. So, get ready for your shopping binge and have a holiday in China like never before!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping In China
What is best to buy in China?
While shopping in China, you will find many different kinds of jewelry, leather goods, antiques, jade, and souvenirs like paper-cuttings. You might think that these things are available at every place but you will notice that there is a lot of variety in China that you haven’t seen anywhere else.
Which city in China is the best for shopping?
Beijing, Sichuan Province, and Guangdong Province are some of the best places for shopping in China.
What can you buy in Guangzhou China?
From the latest electrical appliances and clothes to jade sculptures and souvenirs, you will find a variety of things to buy in Guangzhou, China.
What is famous in Shanghai for shopping?
Shanghai is basically an antique and fabric market where you spend hours and not realize what the time is. Besides this, you will also find some bookstores and home appliances shops.
Is clothing cheaper in China?
A lot of things are cheaper in China only because the quality of a product is degraded. If you want to buy a thing that is reliable then make sure that check the product thoroughly for authenticity. But this is not the case with everything as the quality of clothes is similar to any other county.
What is famous food in China?
The most famous food in China is one and only Chowmein or noodles that are nothing but stir-fried noodles in soy sauce, chili sauce, and vegetables.
What can you buy for $5?
You will find a number of things available at dirt-cheap rates in China and will be able to buy a fortune in just $5. An MP3 player, water temperature indicator, 3D cookie cutters, and many more things are available under $5.
Is China cheap to live?
China is neither cheap nor expensive to live in. The cost of living differs according to the place you are choosing in China. Although, China is considered as an affordable country in comparison to many countries around the globe.
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A writer at heart with the soul of a traveler is pretty much who she is. Besides, she also loves treating her taste buds to different cuisines, binge-watching almost all sorts of series and movies, and indulging in new experiences every now and then. Also, languages and cultures fascinate her to a great extent, which is why currently she is brushing up her Spanish.
