What to Buy in China and Where
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
China is a shopper's paradise if you know where to look. For silk, head to Hangzhou. For tea, visit Fujian or Yunnan. For electronics, Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei market is legendary. Bargaining is expected at markets but not in malls or chain stores. Taobao (China's Amazon) offers incredible deals if you have a Chinese payment method. Duty-free limits for leaving China are 5,000 RMB per person.
Silk products display in a Chinese market
Deep Dive
What to Buy
Silk (丝绸)
China invented silk, and it remains one of the best souvenirs. Look for:
- Silk scarves, pajamas, bedding, and qipao (cheongsam) dresses
- Best quality in Hangzhou -- visit the China National Silk Museum and surrounding shops
- Price range: 50-500 RMB for scarves, 200-2,000 RMB for clothing
- How to test real silk: Rub it between your hands -- real silk warms up. Burn test: real silk smells like burning hair
Tea (茶叶)
China's tea culture spans millennia. Top picks:
- Longjing (Dragon Well) from Hangzhou -- green tea, 200-2,000 RMB/500g
- Tieguanyin from Fujian -- oolong tea, 100-1,500 RMB/500g
- Pu'er from Yunnan -- aged fermented tea, prices vary wildly (50-10,000+ RMB)
- Jasmine tea from Fuzhou -- fragrant and beginner-friendly
- Buy from dedicated tea shops, not tourist traps. Ask to taste before buying
Electronics and Gadgets
- Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei (华强北): The world's largest electronics market. Phones, drones, components, LED lights, smart home gadgets -- all at factory prices
- Be aware: quality varies. Stick to established shops within the market buildings
- Xiaomi, Huawei, and OnePlus products are cheaper in China than abroad
- Taobao and JD.com for online electronics shopping with delivery to your hotel
Jade (玉)
- Two types: nephrite (soft jade) and jadeite (hard jade, more valuable)
- Buy from reputable shops, not street markets -- fakes are rampant
- Ask for a certificate of authenticity
- Hotspots: Shanghai's Yu Garden market, Beijing's Panjiayuan market
- Budget: 200-5,000 RMB for jewelry pieces
Other popular items:
- Chinese calligraphy brushes and ink stones -- cultural and decorative
- Lacquerware -- especially from Beijing and Fuzhou
- Cloisonne enamel -- Beijing's signature craft
- Traditional Chinese medicine -- ginseng, goji berries, dried herbs (check customs rules for your country)
- Pearl jewelry -- Beihai and Weihai are pearl centers
Where to Shop
Modern malls: Found in every city. International and domestic brands, fixed prices, WeChat/Alipay accepted. Great for electronics, clothing, and cosmetics.
Markets and bazaars:
- Beijing: Panjiayuan Antique Market (weekends), Yaxiu Market
- Shanghai: Tianzifang, Yuyuan Bazaar, AP Plaza (bargain hard)
- Guangzhou: Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Baima Clothing Market
- Shenzhen: Huaqiangbei for electronics
Online (Taobao/Tmall):
- Requires a Chinese phone number and Alipay or WeChat Pay
- Prices are often 30-70% lower than physical stores
- Use Taobao's photo search to find items
- Delivery to hotels is easy -- give your hotel's address and front desk will hold packages
- Try the Trip.com Shopping service for a foreigner-friendly Taobao alternative
Bargaining Tips
Bargaining is expected at markets and small shops, but not at malls, chain stores, or supermarkets.
- Start at 30-40% of the asking price and work up
- Walk away is the most powerful negotiation tool -- sellers will often call you back
- Learn basic numbers in Chinese: yī (1), èr (2), sān (3), sì (4), wǔ (5), liù (6), qī (7), bā (8), jiǔ (9), shí (10)
- "Tài guì le!" (太贵了) -- "Too expensive!" -- the most useful phrase in Chinese shopping
- "Piányi yīdiǎn" (便宜一点) -- "Make it a bit cheaper"
- Buy multiple items from the same vendor for better leverage
- Compare prices at several stalls before committing
Duty-Free and Customs
China duty-free shopping:
- Duty-free shops at airports and Hainan Island offer tax-free luxury goods
- Hainan's duty-free limit is 100,000 RMB per person per year (recently increased)
- Airport duty-free has standard limits on alcohol (1,500ml) and tobacco (400 cigarettes)
Taking goods out of China:
- Items totaling over 5,000 RMB may require declaration
- Antiques and cultural relics (pre-1949) require an export certificate
- Traditional medicine containing animal products may be restricted