Shopping in China was one of the most exciting parts of my trip—I never knew I could have so much fun hunting for deals! From buzzing street markets to massive malls, I found everything from quirky souvenirs to trendy clothes at prices that made me do a double-take. What really surprised me was how easy it was to score a proper Chinese discount just by asking with a smile or using a local app. I even picked up a few haggling tricks along the way, which made shopping feel more like a game than a task. If you’re curious how to shop like a pro in China and want to make the most of your money, keep reading this article—I’ve got tips that made my experience not just affordable, but totally unforgettable.

Before diving into all the shopping tips, I think it’s good to know what’s actually worth buying while you’re in China. I was honestly surprised by the variety and how much I could save—especially when a cheeky bit of haggling got me a solid Chinese discount. Here's what I found worth picking up and where to go for the best buys:

I couldn’t believe how affordable glasses were in China compared to back home. I picked up a stylish pair with prescription lenses at Mujing Optical, located in Beijing’s Zhongguancun Mall. The staff were super helpful, and I even got a spare pair thrown in thanks to a cheeky Chinese discount.
Location: Zhongguancun Mall, Beijing
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, daily

If you love a bit of sparkle, Shanghai’s Yuyuan Bazaar is the place. I spent hours browsing handmade earrings, bracelets, and quirky rings. I found it fun to chat with local stallholders—many of them gave me a discount just for being friendly and showing genuine interest.
Location: Yuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, daily

One of my best buys was a tailored suit from South Bund Fabric Market in Shanghai. I chose my fabric, got measured, and came back three days later for a perfect fit. It was surprisingly affordable—and yes, I asked for a little Chinese discount and got one without fuss!
Location: South Bund Fabric Market, Shanghai
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, daily

I treated myself to a leather backpack at Guihuagang Leather Wholesale Market in Guangzhou. The smell of real leather hit me as soon as I walked in, and there were tons of styles to choose from. I found it helpful to walk around and compare prices—most shops were open to a bit of bargaining.
Location: Guihuagang Market, Guangzhou
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, daily

I wanted to take something meaningful home, so I bought a hand-painted scroll from Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing. You can also find stunning jade bracelets and porcelain vases there. I found mornings best for browsing, as the place gets busy later.
Location: Panjiayuan Antique Market, Beijing
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, weekends best

Real antiques are tricky due to export restrictions, but the fakes are so convincing—and affordable. I picked up a “Qing dynasty” teapot in Liulichang Cultural Street, also in Beijing. It makes for a brilliant conversation piece. A polite haggle goes a long way here, especially with cash.
Location: Liulichang Cultural Street, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM, daily

After shopping, you can explore these attractions:

If you're visiting China for the first time and thinking about shopping, I’ve got a few handy tips that really helped me. I didn’t know what to expect at first, but once I got the hang of it, shopping became one of the best parts of my trip. Here’s what I learned along the way:

Now this had me scratching my head the first few times. In China, instead of saying “20% off,” you’ll often see signs like 打8折 (dǎ 8 zhé), which means you’ll pay 80% of the original price—so basically 20% off.

Here’s what I learned:

Once I cracked the code, I actually enjoyed spotting the deals!

I noticed that most modern stores, shopping centres, and chain shops happily took international credit cards. But when I wandered through night markets, local stalls, or smaller boutiques, cash was king.

I also found Alipay and WeChat Pay super useful—some vendors only used these, and I managed to set up a tourist version through my international card. I’d definitely recommend giving that a go if you want to feel like a local!

Let’s be real—bargaining can feel a bit awkward at first. But once I started treating it like a game, I actually had fun with it. Here’s what worked for me:

A few words in Mandarin went a long way, and the locals really appreciated the effort. These were my lifesavers:

I didn’t speak much Mandarin at all, but even trying just these few made things smoother and friendlier. Plus, I found it quite fun to pick up a bit of the language as I shopped around.

After discovering the city's landmarks, you can retreat to these welcoming hotels for a peaceful stay.

Shopping in China was a total thrill—from quirky gadgets to stunning ceramics—but there were a few things I wish someone had told me before I started piling bags high. So, if you’re planning your own spree, here are a few friendly reminders from someone who's learnt the hard way.

I got a bit carried away with all the bargains and only realised at the airport that my suitcase was way over the limit. The fees were no joke. Next time, I’d definitely check my airline’s baggage policy beforehand and maybe bring a small travel scale just to keep things in check. A foldable duffle bag came in handy as backup when my suitcase couldn’t take anymore.

I thought I’d be clever and post a few things home, especially the heavier items. But between the paperwork, shipping costs, and worry about breakage, it turned into more hassle than I expected. Some markets do offer shipping services, which can be helpful, but I always made sure to get tracking numbers and check delivery times. One of my parcels took longer than I did to get home!

I didn’t realise how strict import rules can be in some countries. I had to double-check what was allowed through customs—especially when buying food, tea, herbal products, and anything that looked remotely antique. Jade and porcelain are fine, but some reproduction antiques might raise eyebrows if you're not careful.

And just in case you’re wondering: no animal products, weapons, or fireworks, obviously. Better to ask and be sure than have something confiscated at the airport!

Now, about the knockoff items—you’ll see them everywhere, from watches and bags to trainers and tech. Depending on your point of view, these might be a fun souvenir or something to avoid entirely. I picked up a “designer” bag once and was all excited, until I spotted a spelling error on the tag. Oops.

Here’s what I do now:

When I started planning my trip, I found the Traveloka App super handy—it sorted my flight tickets, hotels, and even attraction bookings all in one go, which saved me loads of time and stress. I also came across loads of helpful info on shopping in China as a tourist, so I didn’t feel lost when hunting down a great Chinese discount or trying to spot a decent bargain. If you're keen to shop smart, stay comfy, and travel with ease, I’d definitely recommend giving it a go—it made my whole trip smoother from start to finish.