Shopping in China | What and Where to Buy

In China, you can buy everything at a relatively cheap price. From luxury brands to unique souvenirs, each city has something special with more products and lower prices, like you can buy silk in Suzhou, or tea in Hangzhou. Here, Trip.com will guide you to the best shopping destinations, must-buy items, and tips for shopping like a local.👀

Top Products to Buy in China

1. Electronics and Gadgets

• Products: Smartphones, drones, cameras, headphones, smart home devices, and accessories.
• Why China?: China is a global leader in electronics manufacturing, with brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and DJI offering high-quality products at competitive prices. Many global tech products are also made in China, so you can find them cheaper here.
• Where to Buy: Shenzhen (the "Silicon Valley of Hardware"), Beijing's Zhongguancun, or Shanghai's electronics markets.

2. Silk Products

• Products: Silk clothing, scarves, bedding, and traditional Chinese dresses (qipao/cheongsam).
• Why China?: China has been producing silk for thousands of years and is known for its superior quality and craftsmanship.
• Where to Buy: Hangzhou (famous for its silk markets), Suzhou, or Beijing's Silk Street.

3. Tea

• Products: Green tea, oolong tea, pu'er tea, jasmine tea, and tea sets.
• Why China?: China is the birthplace of tea, and its diverse regions produce some of the world's finest teas.
• Where to Buy: Hangzhou (Longjing tea), Fujian (for oolong tea), or Chengdu's tea markets.

4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Herbs

• Products: Ginseng, goji berries, herbal remedies, and acupuncture kits.
• Why China?: TCM has a 2,000-year history, and China is the best place to find authentic, high-quality herbs and remedies.
• Where to Buy: Beijing's Tongrentang, Chengdu's herbal markets, or Guangzhou's Qingping Market.

5. Porcelain and Ceramics

• Products: Fine china, tea sets, vases, and decorative items.
• Why China?: Chinese porcelain, especially from Jingdezhen, is world-renowned for its beauty and durability.
• Where to Buy: Jingdezhen (the "Porcelain Capital"), Shanghai, or Beijing.

6. Jade and Pearls

• Products: Jade jewelry, pearl necklaces, and decorative items.
• Why China?: China has a long history of jade craftsmanship and is a major producer of freshwater pearls.
• Where to Buy: Beijing's Hongqiao Market, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.

7. Fashion and Apparel

• Products: Affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories.
• Why China?: China is a global manufacturing hub for fashion, offering trendy items at low prices.
• Where to Buy: Guangzhou's wholesale markets, Shanghai's Nanjing Road, or Beijing's Sanlitun.

8. Antiques and Artwork

• Products: Calligraphy, paintings, sculptures, and antique furniture.
• Why China?: China's rich history and culture make it a treasure trove for authentic and unique art pieces.
• Where to Buy: Beijing's Panjiayuan Antique Market, Shanghai's Dongtai Road Antique Market, or Xi'an.

10. Handicrafts and Souvenirs

• Products: Paper lanterns, fans, chopsticks, and embroidery.
• Why China?: Chinese handicrafts are known for their intricate designs and cultural significance.
• Where to Buy: Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, Lijiang's Old Town, or Beijing's Hutongs.

11. Knockoffs and Replicas (Be Cautious)

• Products: Designer handbags, watches, and clothing.
• Why China?: While not legal, China is famous for its replica markets, offering near-identical copies of luxury items.
• Where to Buy: Shanghai's Xiangyang Market (now closed, but similar markets exist) or Guangzhou's underground markets.

Popular Shopping Destinations in China

📍 Beijing

Forbidden City in Beijing @Trip.com

• Silk Products – Beijing has many affordable clothing, silk products, accessories, and souvenirs.

New Silk Alley Market (Xiu Shui)

Foreign friends often came here to stroll.

4.6/5: Excellent

Free Entry
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• Luxury Brands - As an international city, Beijing has great malls to offer multiple luxury brands with enough stock.

Wangfujing

No.8 of Night Attractions in Beijing

4.6/5: Outstanding

Free Entry
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• Antiques & Art - As a city with rich history, it has many antique markets, offering calligraphy, paintings, and ceramics.

Pan Jia Yuan

more than 3,000 booths

4.7/5: Outstanding

Free Entry
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📍 Shanghai

The Bund in Shanghai @Trip.com

• Silk Products – Shanghai is home to high-quality silk items with diverse styles and craftsmanship.

• Fashion clothes & Accessories - Shanghai has some streets providing world fashion clothes, shoes, or accessories like Tokyo's Harajuku fashion district.

Huaihai Road

"Oriental Champs-Elysees"

4.7/5: Outstanding

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• Luxury Brands – Shanghai has top-tier shopping malls featuring global luxury brands.

Plaza 66

Luxury brands & Restaurants

4.8/5.0: Outstanding

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Boutique clothing & crafts – A vibrant shopping and cultural hub with unique finds.

Tianzifang

Liuli China Museum

4.5/5: Outstanding

From $7.4
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📍 Guangzhou

Canton Tower in Guangzhou @Trip.com

• Traditional Chinese Medicine – Guangzhou is a hub for herbal remedies.

• Fashion Wholesale – Guangzhou is China’s fashion capital with large clothing markets.

Baima Clothing Market

Opens at 08:30-18:30

4.6/5: Excellent

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📍 Hong Kong

The peak in Hong Kong @Trip.com

• Electronics – Hong Kong offers tax-free electronics at competitive prices.

• Luxury Shopping – Hong Kong is a paradise for high-end shopping, especially for Luxury brands with lower price.

Harbor City (Gateway Mall)

World-class brand stores

4.6/5: Excellent

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Regional Shopping Differences in China

China's vast geography and diverse cultures mean each region has its own specialties when it comes to shopping. Whether you're looking for traditional handicrafts, luxury goods, or unique souvenirs, different parts of the country offer distinct products that reflect their local heritage and industries.

Northern China

Northern China is known for its rich history and intricate craftsmanship. Some of the best shopping finds here include:

• Cloisonné (Jingtailan) – A famous enamelware art form from Beijing, often crafted into vases, jewelry, and decorative plates.
• Jade Jewelry – High-quality jade, especially from Hebei and Beijing, is used for rings, pendants, and bracelets, symbolizing luck and prosperity.
• Antiques & Calligraphy – Cities like Beijing and Xi’an have excellent antique markets where you can find ancient coins, scrolls, and calligraphy brushes.

Southern China

Southern China is a shopping paradise, known for its luxurious textiles, famous teas, and cutting-edge electronics. Notable shopping specialties include:

• Silk & Embroidery – Suzhou and Hangzhou are world-famous for high-quality silk, qipaos, and beautifully embroidered textiles.
• Tea – The region produces some of China’s most prized teas, such as Longjing (Dragon Well) from Hangzhou and Tieguanyin from Fujian.
• Electronics & Gadgets – Shenzhen, China’s tech hub, is the best place to shop for affordable electronics, including smartphones, accessories, and smart devices.

Western China

Western China is home to diverse ethnic cultures, which influence its handicrafts and textiles. Travelers can find:

• Tibetan Jewelry – Handmade silver and turquoise jewelry from Tibet and Qinghai, often featuring Buddhist symbols.
• Uyghur Carpets & Textiles – Xinjiang produces stunning handmade carpets with intricate patterns, as well as traditional Uyghur embroidered caps (doppa).
• Ethnic Handicrafts – Minority communities in Yunnan and Guizhou create unique wood carvings, batik fabrics, and silver ornaments.

How to Shop Like a Local

Master the Art of Bargaining

Use Mobile Payments

Learn Key Mandarin Phrases

• 多少钱？(Duō shǎo qián?) – How much is this?
• 太贵了！(Tài guì le!) – Too expensive!
• 可以便宜一点吗？(Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?) – Can you make it cheaper?

Avoid Counterfeit Goods

Practical Tips for Shoppers

Check Customer Restrictions

• Antiques – Items over 100 years old require official approval and an export certificate.
• Ivory & Endangered Animal Products – Buying or exporting ivory, tiger bones, or rhino horns is illegal.
• Electronics – Many countries have restrictions on the number of electronic devices you can bring back without extra taxes.
• Food & Tea – Some countries, like the U.S. and Australia, have strict rules on importing tea, dried food, and herbal medicines.

Pack Properly for Fragile Goods

Be Wary of Tourist Traps