Top 5 Cities for Shopping in China: Find Luxury & Bargains!

The material goods you own are a crucial part of Chinese culture... and I mean that owning the right thing is a way of showing off your wealth. 

So, it’s no surprise that many of China’s streets are dedicated to shopping!

For visitors, heading to luxury shopping centers and crowded street markets is a cultural experience. It’s also an excellent opportunity to get luxury brands at a discount, discover Chinese and Asian brands, get yourself some fake designer gear, and pick up electronics at a deal. 

There’s also lots of delicious food, herbal medicine, antiques, and more. You can even get a suit or dress tailored in less than 24 hours!

But China is a big country, and there is a lot on offer. So, where should you go for the best shopping, and what should you buy? Below is a list of the six best cities in China for shopping, where to go in each city for the best shopping, and what you should buy.

You’ll also find tips for getting the best deals and having the best time while burning a hole in your pocket in China!

What to Buy in China

The best things to buy in China depend on exactly where you are. It’s a big country! But generally speaking, the following should be at the top of your list:

• Discounted products from luxury brands (especially in Shanghai, where sales taxes are low)
• Unusual items from major Chinese brands and designers (especially in Beijing and Shanghai)
• Delicate fabrics and tailored clothing (available all around the country with fast turnaround times)
• Jewelry (freshwater pearls in Beijing and Jade everywhere—it’s considered more valuable than gold!)
• Porcelain—it’s called “China” for a reason (everywhere in China)
• Electronics, gadgets, and components (especially in Guangzhou, but all over China)
• Chinese antiques (the best antique markets are in Beijing and Shanghai)
•  Longjing Tea and Chinese herbal medicines (Longjing Tea is made in Hangzhou, so but here or in nearby Shanghai)

Whatever you buy, make sure you keep your receipts, as you may need to present them at customs when departing.

Where to Shop in China? 5 Best Shopping Cities

Wherever you go in China, you’ll find enticing shopping. All the major cities boast impressive and modern shopping malls. There are also boutiques selling clothing, jewelry, and herbal medicine around every backstreet. Markets are at the heart of every community!

But if you’re serious about your shopping, these are the six best cities in China for shopping, where to go for different items, and what to buy.

5. Shenzhen – Electronics and Appliances

Shenzhen is the closest mainland city to Hong Kong, and there’s a lot of exchange between the two cities.

Mainlanders will cross over to Hong Kong for deals on brand-name goods. People from Hong Kong head to Shenzhen for electronics and home appliances.

Shenzhen is sometimes called the Silicon Valley of China, as many tech start-ups and production companies are based in the surrounding area. Both premium electronics and knockoffs go to market in the city.

Check out the SEG Market for almost 3,000 shops selling everything from the newest computers to electronic components. The market is part of Huaqiangbei Commercial Street, with more traders selling similar wares.

Remember, you probably won’t get warranty support back home.

For international luxury brands such as Gucci, LV, Prada, and Bulgari, go to the enormous MixC. Coco Park in Dongmen is suitable for both luxury and mid-range brands. Outside the main center, you’ll find cheap knockoffs of many brands inside. The street opposite is lined with bars and clubs for when you’re done shopping.

If you want one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head to Da Fen Village, also known as Oil Painting Village, where thousands of artists live and work. Just walking the streets feels like exploring a gallery. Buy unique works, or even commission something!

4. Guangzhou – Electronics, Trendy Clothing, and Wholesale Clothing

Guangzhou, also in south China, is known for affordable goods. It’s trendy for electronics, and wholesale items, including clothing. 

Guangzhou was the main destination covered by China’s 72-hour visa-free stopover program for a long time. This helped the city grow into a major shopping destination.

If you’re still trying to figure out how to get here, I think looking for seats with Spring Airlines is a good idea. If you don’t mind the risks of flying with ultra-low-cost air carriers, Spring will get you where you need to go!

Once you arrive, head to Shangxiajiu. This pedestrian street is more than a kilometer long. It’s home to 300 shops selling domestic brands and trendy Japanese and Korean clothing. 

This is also an excellent place for a night out, as plenty of restaurants, snack spots, and coffee houses call this area home.

For luxury brands, head to the CTF Finance Center Tower, the seventh-largest tower in the world, or the IFC Tower, both in the Zhujiang area. The 100th-floor observatory in the IFC Tower is a major tourist attraction.

While you’ll find all the luxury brands here, remember that different tax rules mean that these tend to be cheaper in nearby Hong Kong. If you’re also making a quick stop in Hong Kong, you can figure out which items are better to buy in Hong Kong versus in mainland China.

For bargains, head to the markets. There is the Shahe Clothes Market for cheap clothes and the electronics market around Haiyin Square. Make sure you haggle with sellers for a good price.

3. Hangzhou – Silk and Tea

Hangzhou is close to the south of Shanghai. It’s the major production base for Chinese silk and Longjing tea, making it the best place in China to buy both products.

The City Silk Market is the best place for raw silks and silk-made products, including clothing, scarves, and umbrellas. You’ll even find silk landscape paintings! 

For a broader range of clothing, go to the Sijiqing Clothing Market. It’s considered one of China’s most influential clothing markets and has many items unique to the region.

For the aromatic green Longjing tea, shop at the Meijiawu Tea Plantation. Or, try the Chengxi Intime Mall for luxury and international brands if you want a more traditional shopping experience.

For electronics, the Bainaohui Tech Center will have what you want.

2. Shanghai – International Brands, Duty-Free, and Antiques

Shanghai is also known as Paris of the Orient and has been a major shopping destination for centuries. It doesn’t hurt that there is a large selection of duty-free shops in the city, mostly centered around Nanjing Road, which is six miles long. 

Plaza 66, Westgate Mall, and the Jing An Kerry Center are the most popular locations.

For luxury brands and fancy wine bars, go to Xintiandi. As well as western designers, you’ll find exclusive Chinese designers including Uma Wang and Ban Xiaoxue.

To find China’s Paris, head to Huaihai Road. This former French concession now has three miles of luxury shopping with more than 400 stores. 

You’ll find international brands and big-name Chinese options, including the Shanghai Huangshan Tea Company and Onitsuka Tiger. 

For a trendier vibe, go to Tianzifang. This former French concession has art galleries, stationery shops, and clothing boutiques.

Those who prefer cheap fakes can shop at the AP Plaza’s Xinyang Fashion Market. There you can pick up handbags, sunglasses, shoes, and watches, all of which look almost real.

Remember that you’ll need to pay in cash or use WeChat. For similar tech items, head to the nearby Qiujiang Li Electronics Market.

Shanghai is known for its quality fabrics, and if you go to the South Bund Fabric Market, you can find your dream fabric and a tailor to custom-make your dress or suit. 

But it’s not just evening wear! You can order a motorcycle jacket or a swimsuit if you want.

Depending on the complexity of the item and waiting lists, it can take 48 hours to several weeks for your item to be ready. They’ll ship, but a final fitting can make all the difference if you’re in the area.

Finally... no trip to Shanghai is complete without a visit to the antique markets at Yunzhou Curio City. Expect porcelain and jade, stamps and coins, Mao-era memorabilia, furniture, jewelry, and more.

1. Beijing - Everything!

Beijing is a major international city that dwarfs the likes of New York and London. Anything you need, it can be found in Beijing if you know where to look!

Start your journey on Wangfujing Shopping Street, very close to Tiananmen Square, which has been drawing shoppers for 700 years. You’ll find all the big Chinese department stores and boutique shops selling unusual items and traditional Beijing curios. 

Shop at the beautifully lit Qianmen Street in the afternoon and early evening. Here you’ll find small, unique shops, many with a long history, selling clothes, shoes, and food!

Looking for similar modern shopping mall experiences that mix luxury and high-street brands of both international and Chinese origin? You can also head to Xidan Commercial Street. Expect to find the best cinemas in the city here. 

Another option is Sanlitun Village, which mixes late-night shopping with a great selection of bars. 

For antiques, go to the Panjiayuan Antiques Market for teapots, calligraphy sets, art, and books.

If you want to make your money go further with impressive copies, then go to the Silk Street Market. It’s enormous, and you can find almost anything. 

Make sure you haggle with sellers and pay attention to quality before you buy. Pay in local currency and don’t follow vendors to isolated areas. If they need to get something, they can bring it to you!

If you want to haggle for electronics, head to Landao, a multistory center specializing in computer-related goods, or Zhongguancun E-Plaza for gadgets and components.

If you want to eat your way around Beijing, read our guide to the best Beijing street foods.

Top Tips for Shopping in China

Prepare to Haggle

Negotiating is a part of life in China. You would be foolish to buy anything from any market without haggling over the price. 

But you may even want to negotiate in high-end stores selling luxury brands, especially if you plan to buy multiple items. Don’t go too low, and speak to staff with maximum respect. Make sure to heed my advice, and you may get a discount.

Expect prices to be ridiculously high when you first approach a seller. But remember, this is just their opening offer. But if they drop their price too quickly, examine the quality of the product, as you may not be getting what you think you are.

Don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal if you don’t think it’s good. At the markets, you’ll probably find another store selling identical items not far away. You can negotiate again with a better idea of the likely value.

Pay in Local Currency

If you try to pay in US dollars or Euros, expect to pay a premium for whatever you’re buying. You may also have to pay a transaction fee if you buy on a credit card. Many smaller vendors don’t accept international cards.

Cash is king, have some on you when shopping, but beware of pickpockets. If you can make payments on the WeChat app, this is often the cheapest and safest way to spend.

Examine the Quality of Goods

China is known for producing some good knockoffs of major designer brands. If you don’t have a problem with that, you can get quite a lot for your money in the markets. 

But be sure to examine the item’s quality before committing to a purchase. And remember to never choose the one that’s on display. 

You might not mind if it’s fake, but you don’t want anything that’ll fall about after only a couple of uses.

Check your Items

When you finalize your transaction, check that all your items are in your bag and are what you ordered. Once you walk out of the store, you’re unlikely to be able to come back and make a complaint or an exchange, receipt or not! It’s a buyer-beware market.

Also, bear in mind that any warranties aren’t likely to be valid back in your home country. Factor this into the price when deciding to buy electronics.

Plan Your China Shopping Spree!

Planning shopping trips and hitting every must-visit locale on your list can be challenging. But you can save time and energy using Pilot!