Shops Of China: From Traditional To Mega Malls
It seems that everything we buy and own has a label saying ‘Made in China’ on it. So is it no wonder that shopping in China is possibly the most diverse and varied in the world. No matter what you want to buy, there will be somewhere that sells it. Whether you are after the latest quirky gadgets, or a designer handbag, China has somewhere for you.
Like in many Asian counties, bargaining is an integral part of every shopper’s life. Many people say that everything in China is negotiable, so it is best to know how to go about getting the best price. The best way to bargain for inexpensive items is to make your first offer to the vendor much lower than you are willing to pay, around 25-50% of their initial offer is best, then work up from there. For more expensive items, start much lower, at around 10% of the vendor’s asking price, so you have more room to bargain. Another tactic that works very well when bargaining is to walk away if you do not get the offer you want, in most cases the vendor will come after you.
Two of the largest cities in China, and also two of the best places to go shopping are Shanghai and Beijing. We will outline some of the best places to visit in these cities for the remainder of the article.
Shanghai is home to some of the best markets in the world, and you will find everything that you need here, as well as many things you don’t need but end up buying anyway!
Markets in Shanghai are easily laid out, and unlike markets in most Western countries where each one has numerous stalls all selling different things, Shanghai has markets for each different type of item. If you want antiques, go to the antiques market; if you want pearls, go to the pearl market and so on.
Dong Tai Road Antique Market is a great place to purchase beautiful old furniture and other smaller items. Just note that the word ‘antique’ can be misleading, and many of the items were made only several months ago! The Antique Market is a great place to go treasure hunting, and even if you don’t buy anything you’ll have fun looking. The market is open every day from morning until sunset.
There are several pearl markets, although the largest is the Hong Qiao New World Pearl Market, open daily from 10am - 10pm. As well as selling many ready-made pearl and precious gem items, you can also purchase the separate pearls and stones and make your own jewelry.
If you are after the latest gadgets and gizmos at bargain prices, look no further than the Cybermart. This huge building houses three floors of all things electrical based - from phones and cameras through to computers and GPS systems.
If you are not keen to bargain, don’t worry, there are plenty of Western-style stores with fixed prices where you can shop much more peacefully yet still find everything that you need. If you are after some designer and contemporary items, why not visit Nest. They showcase some of the latest in contemporary designers and all their items keep the environment in mind. They sell a variety of items ranging from bags, furniture, jewelry, clothes and more.
China is famous for it’s fantastic teas, and there is no better place to try some out than at Song Fang Masion de The. This quaint tea salon is owned by a Frenchman who has selected some of the best varieties of tea from France and China. You can also try out some of these teas in one of the gorgeous tea rooms. All the staff are experts in their field and can help you select the perfect tea for you.
There are also numerous world-class shopping malls in Shanghai that have all the well-known global brands as well as Chinese ones. Raffles City, Shanghai Centre, Super Brand Mall, Plaza 66, and Massion Mode are amongst the best in the city.
If you thought Shanghai was good, Beijing is a shopper’s paradise. Nearly every famous world wide brand has a branch somewhere in Beijing, as well as there being numerous markets and traditional Chinese stores.
If you love all things international, the best place to head in Beijing is to Sanlitun Village, which has everything from Apple and Adidas through to Starbucks and the Gap. This is one of the coolest places to go shopping in Beijing, and it is impossible to leave empty handed - although bargains are hard to find!
For a more unique shopping experience, head to Nan Luo Gu Xiang Street, which is home to some of the most unique and eclectic souvenirs and gifts available. There are also numerous hip cafes, bars and restaurants along the street.
Like Shanghai, there is also no shortage of massive modern shopping malls and a large selection of traditional, bustling markets.
