Shopping in China

For many, China is strongly associated with cheapness and low-quality counterfeits of well-known brands of electronic equipment. But modern shopping in this country has long gone beyond consumer goods. Tourists flock here to wander through huge shopping centers and markets filled with excellent porcelain and branded electronics no worse than Apple and Sony.

Sales in China

The Chinese are conducting sales all year round. Their schedule depends on significant government dates:

• People's Republic of China Day (October 1);
• New Year according to the Eastern calendar (21.01–21.02);
• May Day;
• mid-autumn (second ten days of September).

As in Europe, the country annually organizes Christmas and New Year's December sales.

Products with discounts of up to 90% can be found at off-season fairs, which run in the spring, from June to July, and end in the fall.

What to buy in China?

Is Chinese shopping worth it? This unexplored country still holds many secrets, and its trade potential can surprise even the most experienced tourists. You can always buy good quality copies of brands there.

Clothes and shoes

It is not profitable here to buy luxury items from well-known manufacturers in Europe and America because of their exorbitant cost. In the Chinese market they cost almost twice as much as usual.

The signature feature of the Celestial Empire is natural silk. The secret technology for obtaining it appeared in the Neolithic and was kept secret for a long time.

Important! Better go shopping to a shopping center or factory store. Otherwise, there is a high risk of purchasing nylon instead of natural silk at an inflated price.

Technology and electronics

China is practically overwhelmed with all kinds of household appliances and electronics. The abundance of tablets, headphones, smartphones, mobile phones, video recorders, and sewing machines makes your eyes wide open. Among the many counterfeit analogues of global companies, you can find worthy copies. But is it worth the risk if you're not particularly tech-savvy?

The best choice is Chinese-made models that have managed to show their good side. Among them are Xiaomi and Meizu.

On a note! It is better not to buy smartphones from world brands in China. No one can guarantee that the product has not been restored after a serious “accident”.

When shopping for electronics, you can go to any shopping center or Chinese grocery store, which can be found in all major cities.

Cosmetics

Many have already tried the recipes of ancient herbalists in modern technologies. The Chinese have created entire natural cosmetic lines, the composition of which is based on medicinal chamomile, healing ginseng, green tea, seaweed, and silver ions.

Cosmetologists recommend:

• the anti-aging luxury brand HerborisT, beloved by Chinese women;
• effective budget care Bioaqua (joint production with the French);
• Angel Xuewei - good quality at an affordable price with exotic biogold, biosilver, pearl powder, whalebone, shark cartilage;
• Dong Gia skin protectants;
• cosmetics from the Doctor Li pharmacy - without chemicals and all kinds of fragrances;
• popular natural product Laikou - various peelings, scrubs, creams with herbs, beans and even snail mucus.

Markets are full of fakes. A suspiciously low price for Chanel or YSL is a reason to refuse to purchase. It is best to go straight to a pharmacy or store.

Porcelain, jade and pearls

The symbol of China is porcelain. It is made using the most ancient technology of the seventh century, and the design is applied by hand. I’ll tell you straight - not everyone can afford this expensive pleasure.

People come here for jade - the “stone of life.” The largest selection is at the market of the same name in Hong Kong; original items can be bought in jewelry stores.

On a note! Look at the light: real jade is fibrous, cheap jadeite is granular.

Pearls from the Middle Kingdom have long gained worldwide fame. Tourists are happy to go to special markets for it.

Natural pearls are quite weighty, which distinguishes them from light plastic ones.

Medicines and drugs of traditional medicine

Do you want to strengthen your immune system and replenish wasted energy? Chinese pharmacies will offer you a variety of vitamin drinks and tinctures.

Feel free to take any of them. But those made from ginseng - the “root of life”, deer antlers and donkey gelatin are especially valuable.

Famous Chinese teas

Do you want to please your friends? Buy them healthy and inexpensive tea!

The aromatic Xihu-Longjing from Zhengjiang, the unusually rich red Dayanhong, Tocha, Puer from Yunnan are world famous.

To buy them, it is better to go to a pharmacy or specialty store.

Don't forget about Beijing rice noodles and healthy coconut sugar.

Beverages

It is unlikely that anything will surprise you with the traditional Qingdao beer. And here Guizhou rice vodka – this is a real masterpiece with a specific taste.

Tourists buy ordinary vodka with snakes preserved in alcohol for souvenirs.

The best shopping centers in China

True chic awaits shoppers on the streets of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. If, in addition to new things, tourists are also interested in ancient culture, then it’s worth visiting Guangzhou.

On a note! Chinese stores are universal, opening at 9.30, and closing time no earlier than 20.30.

Beijing streets are dotted with all kinds of shops and shopping centers. The most famous of them:

• boutiques of world brands (Wanfujing Street and Xidan Street);
• tea shops in the center, where they sell decent coffee;
• shopping giant Oriental Plaza Mall;
• state trade center “Druzhba”, where, despite high prices and lack of bargaining, the high quality of the goods offered is guaranteed.

Shanghai shopping is an acquaintance with the culture of Europe and China.

If you want to attend fashion exhibitions and shows, attend sales of all kinds of goods - then go to Shanghai!

Features of local color - East Nanjing Road with many brand stores and cozy shopping centers. Plaza 66 can boast of quite expensive new items from modern fashion designers.

It will be a great pleasure to walk around Miaoming and Chale, where the best examples of national clothing are displayed.

The French Quarter will surprise you with an abundance of world brands from Dior, Chanel, Armani, Prada, Calvin Klein.

Thanks to direct deliveries from Suzhou factories, you are unlikely to buy such inexpensive high-quality silk products anywhere else.

If you have not yet been to Hong Kong, then the meaning of the concept of “shopaholic's paradise” is unknown to you.

The entire range of modern electronic equipment is presented in the Fortress and Broadway shopping centers. Here are the best prices for Apple products.

The Pacific Plaza in the center is always crowded.

The island's Harbor City, the largest in Hong Kong, will pleasantly please you with the abundance of high-end branded clothing.

A lot of interesting things await you in this regard on Canton Road.

Risk, as we know, is a noble cause. If you want to play roulette, go to Indian sellers. But keep in mind that a beautiful, cheap fake is unlikely to please you for a long time.

In principle, all Chinese cities are similar to each other in terms of the range and cost of goods and entertainment.

Of particular interest are:

1. The world's first largest South China Mall is in Dungan.
2. Generous discounts and sales at Team Mall, Plaza, La Perla in Guangzhou.
3. Russian-language market in Urumqi.

Outlets in China

A special Chinese feature is the real villages of shops. They are located on the outskirts of the city. If you want “cheap and cheerful”, then inexpensive stock shops and luxury boutiques with collections from previous years are waiting for you.

The largest of them is the Scitech Premium Outlet mall near Beijing airport. The inconvenience of logistics is completely offset by possible savings of 30 or even 80%.

Shanghai FoxTown features 90 versatile boutiques and free bus rides from the metro.

The most popular Hong Kong Citygate Outlets with its six dozen fashion stores.

Markets in China

This is the traditional name for modern retail space, equipped with the latest technology and comfort.

In Pekin one cannot indifferently pass by the largest of them with beautiful names:

• “Pearl” is a five-story exhibition center for this precious gift of the sea;
• “Silk” - the name speaks for itself; Bargain to bring down the price;
• Wholesale Yabaolu is a sacred place for Russian shuttle traders and businessmen from all over the world.

You can't ignore and teahouse Malyangdao, as well as Panjiayuan with its antiques and traditional flea market.

Another attraction - Shanghai Dongtai. Although it is called antique, the main products here are well imitated antique designs.

Among the retail areas in Shanghai, the following stand out:

• “kingdom” of clothes, shoes, electronics – Xiang Yang Fake Market;
• clothing “capital” on the street. Huahai;
• a huge variety of fabrics and everything you need to work with them - st. Lujiabang;
• electronic world of Cybermart (Middle Huai Hai street).

Thrill-seekers will find the Hong Kong night market on Temple Street in Ya Ma Tai. Along with playing chess, tourists can listen to the cute chatter of talking parrots and even meet girls of easy virtue.

It acquired its second name, “Street of Men,” when it became a film set for gangster films.

For women's shopping in Hong Kong, there is a Ladies Market.

On a note! In the Celestial Empire, bargaining is always appropriate. The regular price is incredibly inflated, sometimes tenfold, with the expectation of a future discount.

Shopping in China means abundance and affordable prices. Its main advantage is getting to know the rich and ancient history of this unique eastern country.