When traveling to China, a shopping tour becomes an essential part of your trip, and it's not surprising, especially when you consider that China has become a global "flea market," supplying a wide range of goods to every corner of the planet. Many products are significantly cheaper when purchased locally due to reduced transportation costs. Today, you can find comprehensive shopping tours to China, where you'll be accompanied by a professional guide-consultant. These tours not only take you to the best markets and shopping centers but also provide insights into the intricacies of local trade.
Sales in China are strategically timed to coincide with several Chinese holidays, including China's Education Day on October 1, Chinese New Year, and May Day. In recent years, the sale season in China has also been tailored to European tourists. This means you can find flexible discounts not only after the traditional Chinese New Year but also at the end of the summer tourist season.
Public stores typically operate on weekends from 09:30 to 20:30, while private stores may have slightly longer opening hours from 09:00 to 21:00 or even later. Markets usually open as early as 07:00 (and some as early as 04:00) and continue trading until around 12:00.
China offers a vast selection of souvenirs, but it's important to be discerning as the quality can vary. You can find items like chopsticks, beautiful porcelain, cups, boxes, seals, and scroll cases everywhere. Jade figurines and pearls are also popular choices for souvenirs. Additionally, China is known for its various alcoholic products, including unique tinctures made from snakes and other less conventional ingredients. These "healing" remedies are not only sought after as souvenirs but also for their reputed medicinal properties.
Hangzhou and Suzhou are renowned for their tea and silk fabric offerings, making them excellent places to shop for these products. Manchuria, on the other hand, offers a diverse range of goods, and you can find almost anything there. In fact, markets are prevalent in nearly every city you visit, and typically, the farther you venture from the central shopping areas, the lower the prices you'll encounter.
If you're interested in antiques, government stores often carry them, but they tend to be on the expensive side. If you decide to make a purchase, ensure that you obtain an export permit from the seller, as authenticity can be a concern.
In large government stores and grocery stores, prices are generally fixed. However, when shopping in markets, it's customary to haggle skillfully, even if there's a price tag on the item. These price tags are more like guidelines, indicating the approximate cost.
It's worth noting that the unit of weight in China is called a "jin," which is equivalent to 0.5 kg. Prices are often quoted per jin, so keep this in mind while shopping.
China is renowned for its famous markets, and in Beijing, you have the opportunity to explore places like Wangfujing shopping street. The Xidan district is known for its shopping centers and supermarkets, while Yabaolu and its surrounding neighborhoods specialize in trade with different countries. Panjiayuan features numerous small markets as well.
Guangzhou also boasts wholesale markets like White Horse, Gian Xi Lu, Li Hua Shi Chang, and Jin Xiang Da Sha.
In Hong Kong, shopping enthusiasts can visit Ladys Market (Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok), Stanley Market, and Temple Street Night Market (Kowloon), which are famous throughout the country.
It's important to remember that haggling is a common practice in China. It's part of the country's cultural code, and many who have visited China will attest to this. With some negotiation skills, you can often secure a substantial discount, sometimes as much as nine-tenths off the initial asking price, by dedicating just half an hour of your time.
