Popular Shopping Streets
China has a lot of perfect shopping places like Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Xian, Shanghsi, and Beijing. Wangfujing Street is the most famous and largest pedestrian street which has a lot of outdoor cafes during the summer. It is also home to Chinese painting stores, food stalls, souvenir shops, and large department stores. An evening food market sells local snacks. Chunxi Road is another busy and big shopping area. Tourists can find restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, department stores, shopping malls, boutiques, and brand stores within the area. They can also sample the delicious local snacks here.
The Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street in Guangzhou has at least 300 different shops. The street boasts of ancient and unique architecture which reflects the Lingnan culture. The Barkhor Street in Lhasa encircles the Jokhang Temple. It used to be a "saint road" for Tibetans. Currently, it's a shopping center with colorful features. Lastly, the Central Avenue in Harbin showcases a cobblestone street with malls, old architecture, restaurants, and stores. The street also has shops which sell Russian products.
What To Buy In China
A lot of tourists buy mementos and bargains. Shopping can be exhausting, confusing, and time consuming. For the best buys, it is advisable to go to the city which specializes in the products you're looking for. In Beijing, tourists can buy fresh water pearls and cloisonne. In Xian, they can buy antique furniture, hand painted china, and replicas of the Terracotta Warriors. Shanghai is famous for its qipaos and silk carpets while Hangzhou is popular for its silk and Longjing tea. Suzhou, on the other hand, also has silk while Guilin sells South China Sea pearls and scroll paintings. In Yunnan tourists can buy Dali batik, Pu-er tea, and mounted butterflies. In Xinjiang, they can get the best bargains for dried fruit, jade articles, and carpets. Tourists also go to Tibet for its thangka. Guangzhou is popular for its wholesale markets.
No tourist is obligated to shop. Tour guides include shopping districts in their itineraries but tourists can opt for a "no shops" tour. Furthermore, tourists are warned about fake items. Antique buyers are also cautioned because most of the items sold in China are counterfeits. Tourists who buy antique items must ensure that the items they bought are officially certified and can be exported legally.
How To Bargain In China
Most retailers are prepared to bargain in China. Except when in large shopping malls and department stores, tourists can bargain for almost anything in the country. They are encouraged to have small change ready because some vendors don't want to find change for 100 Yuan. It is important to understand how to search for the best prices for products, where to find them, and what to buy. Designer products and electronics may be a lot cheaper in their home countries than in China.
Markets In China
Tourists can find knock-off designer labels, tailor-made clothes, pearls, and jade in different markets around China. The Yashow clothing market and the Silk Market are the two most popular markets. However, items are more expensive in these markets than the Zoo Market and the Pearl Market. The Zoo Market, on the other hand, doesn't have English-speaking vendors.
Import Restrictions
Tourists who shop in China must first check their home country's import restrictions, especially if the items will be shipped or mailed separately. Electronics can be brought to the United States of America. However, tourists must know about duty and excess baggage.