China is an excellent shopping destination. It produces some of the best goods in the world market. Here you can purchase not only the local specialties but also the world famous products. When traveling to China, the following shopping places are worth visiting: local shopping markets, shopping streets, shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets, friendship stores, factories, etc., most of which can be found easily in the major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, etc. If you want to know much more information on shopping, you please refer to the city guide on our website where the select shopping places in different cities are introduced in detail.
Generally speaking, bargaining can help you to buy some good things at a low price in China, so learning how to bargain is very useful. Here are some suggestions. Before purchasing the goods, you should make a general survey at the market to get a common price of the same item. Then you will become confident when bargaining with the seller. If you take a fancy to one thing, you should try your best to find the flaws on it to get an excuse to discount the article. When bargaining, you should be insistent and friendly, always with smile on your face. If the seller doesn’t make concessions on the offered price, you just walk away because in most cases, the seller will call you back to give in to you. Normally, you can get a 50% discount. When you bargain successfully, you should buy the article. If not, the seller will become angry with your impoliteness. Besides, generally, nearly all the sellers can speak a little English, so you never mind the language barrier.
Shopping in China is both an interesting thing and a challenge. In each local city or town, you may have some shopping time. But buying or not is your own decision despite the suggestion or recommendation.
In some store you may bargain, in some stores the prices are fixed. Keep in mind that you should always ask for the receipt for what you paid.
Art/Antiques older than 120 years are not allowed without prior permission from the Ministry of Culture. If not sure, inquire with your tour guide prior to purchasing any items of great value.
1. When buying expensive articles, you'd better choose the shops run by the state.
2. Make sure that the antiques you bought carry a wax seal indicating that it is authentic and is able to be exported from China.
3. Also need know that antiques dating before 1795 cannot be legally exported.
4. Keep the purchase receipts. They would be asked to produce by customs when leaving China.
SHOPPING GUIDE IN CHINA
Besides all the prearranged activities, what else would you like to do in China? Yes, Shopping. Visitors are encouraged to shop at department stores and factories located in most cities. They cater exclusively to foreigners and are stocked with many items made for export only. All prices are fixed by the State and there is little bargaining. But shopping can be very time-consuming, effort taking and confusing. Below are some shopping tips we listed for you.
1. Do dot shop everything in one city.
China is a big country; different cities are famous for different items. For example, Beijing is famous for cloisonné, cashmere sweaters, Xi’an is famous for replica of Terra Cotta soldiers and rugs and antiques, and Shanghai is famous for jade, Hangzhou for fresh water pearl, Suzhou for silk, Guilin for scroll paintings and China Southern Sea Pearls.
2. Do not feel obligated to shop.
Due to the culture differences, our guide may offer you shopping opportunities to fill your leisure time and to meet your needs as a courtesy, but, sometimes, you may think you do not want to go. Please do not feel embarrassed to let our guide know DIRECTLY (since some of our guides are enthusiastic in taking you shopping). When you in a Chinese shop, you will have Chinese attendants around you, because we Chinese believe that it is not polite if we do not have someone hanging around with you to be ready at your service. But according to your opinion, you may mistake it as pushing. Again, do not feel obligated to buy anything only because the shop attendants are very kind to you.
3. Be smart consumers.
Do dot spend big money on things you are not familiar with. Do ask for shop guarantee, contacts and certificates when purchasing big items like antiques, jade.
4. Leave plenty of time for transactions.
The time from purchasing an item to the completion of transaction will take longer than you expect. When you see something you like - buy it. You would not find it elsewhere and you would not have time to go back.
5. Shopping in free market
The recent economic changes in China have encouraged the entrepreneurial spirit of the Chinese people. As a result you will often find many peddlers set up near tourist sites. The quality of the merchandise is usually lower than in large stores, and extensive bargaining is expected. Should you plan to enter the bargaining game, you might want to bring a supply of small US bills, this will often expedite the bargaining process. Please also take good care of your valuables in crowds.
6. Shopping in local department store
The large department stores and the Chinese shops are especially interesting. Language may be a problem but with a little ingenuity, you can usually manage to communicate through a variety of gestures.
7. Antiques
All major cities have antique shops. Shanghai has the largest and most well stocked. The Chinese are aware of the international prices for their art and antiques and their national prices reflect this knowledge. Only antiques 120 years old or less are available for purchase. The rest are considered national treasures and are not permitted out of the country. Ensure that your purchase has an official red wax seal affixed to it, or you will not be permitted to take it out of the country. It is possible to mail large purchases home, but be prepared to spend time and money on processing the proper documents. If at all possible, it is advisable for your purchase to accompany you home. Please ensure that all your discussions with the store are clearly understood by both parties in order to avoid any misunderstanding about your shipment.
