Ultimate Guide to Shopping in China: From Malls to Street Markets

China offers a dizzying array of shopping options—from high-end luxury brands to street-side bargains, from traditional markets to modern shopping centers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common places to shop:

1. Shopping Malls

What to Expect: Modern, air-conditioned spaces that combine shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Products: International luxury brands, trendy fashion, electronics, beauty products.
Examples: Beijing Guomao Mall, Shanghai IFC, Guangzhou Taikoo Hui.

2. Department Stores

What to Expect: Multi-floor stores with different categories on each level, like clothing, electronics, cosmetics, and jewelry.
Examples: Beijing Wangfujing Department Store, Shanghai First Department Store.

3. Pedestrian Streets

What to Expect: Car-free streets full of shops, restaurants, and snack vendors—perfect for a relaxed stroll and window shopping.
Examples: Nanjing Road (Shanghai), Wangfujing Street (Beijing), Huangxing Road (Changsha).

4. Wholesale Markets

What to Expect: Affordable prices and a huge variety of goods—great if you want to buy in bulk.
Examples: Yiwu International Trade City (small commodities), Guangzhou Baima Clothing Market.

5. Night Markets & Street Stalls

What to Expect: Open-air streets selling clothes, small goods, and local snacks. A lively way to experience local culture.
Examples: Xi’an Muslim Quarter, Shilin Night Market (Taiwan), Kunming Zhuanxin Night Market.

6. Traditional Markets

What to Expect: Fresh produce, meat, seafood, and local specialties. Prices are flexible, and bargaining is expected.
Examples: Chengdu Hehuachi Market, Xiamen Eight Markets.

7. Souvenir & Handicraft Shops

What to Expect: Items with local cultural charm, such as silk, tea, porcelain, paper-cutting art, jade, and other handicrafts.
Examples: Suzhou Silk Shops, Jingdezhen Porcelain Shops.

8. Duty-Free Shops

What to Expect: Tax-free shopping for travelers, often at lower prices than regular retail stores.
Examples: Sanya International Duty-Free City (Hainan), duty-free shops at major international airports.

9. E-commerce & Experience Stores

What to Expect: A mix of online and offline shopping, where you can try products in-store and order online. Many famous e-commerce brands have their own experience stores.
Examples: Offline stores by Tmall, JD.com, Pinduoduo.