The following tips are contributed by travelers on the forum of travelchinaguide.com.

 

Kangfulu Market

Xi’an | KAILASH | 2007-04-27 12:48:26 GMT-5

 

Kangfulu Market, located in the Eastern side of the town, is one of the biggest markets in Xi’an. Prices are dirt-cheap here and you will find goods of a reasonable quality. This market is famous for garment shopping.

 

Wuhan

-General- | WINDENERGY | 2007-03-17 16:44:16 GMT-5

 

Wuhan is a sprawling metropolis on the Yangtze River with a population around 8 million or so. There are 2 Wal-Marts that I know of, plus 2 Metros (from Germany) and 3 Carrefours (from France). I like shopping at Wal-Mart because it has many western items not easily found in regular Chinese shops/grocery stores.

 

Yu Yuan

Shanghai | EEUREKA | 2007-01-05 22:20:07 GMT-5

 

You want to enjoy some amazing shopping and be in one of the most beautiful places in Shanghai? Go to the Yu Yuan. It is a shopper’s paradise surrounded by beautiful old Chinese buildings, and a magnificent park.

If you go there take some time to just enjoy the people, smells, and sounds all around you. Most times the Yu Yuan is crowded with shoppers from all over. If you want to buy something there you will have no problem finding it. Just make sure you haggle with the price or you will get ripped off big time.

 

Zhejiang shopping

Zhejiang | BETHANYBETHANY | 2006-11-30 20:20:28 GMT-5

 

Zhejiang silk should not be missed. It is good and suitable to send to friends, especially those who love Chinese culture. Pearls there are cheap, though most of them are farm-raised.

 

Best Street Stalls Ever!

Xian | LOVESASIA82 | 2006-10-26 20:07:17 GMT-5

 

This was my favorite place to shop. I will tell you how to get there. Take a taxi to the drum tower. You will see the McDonalds there. Just behind the McDonalds there is a big tunnel leading to the Muslim quarter. Go through the tunnel you will see to your left a tables of goodies! This is the beginning of an alleyway that goes on forever and ever. This is where I bought all my gifts. When you get to an area in the path where you can make a turn or go straight you will see a window to pay for some sort of attraction. It is the Great Mosque. It is something like 12RMB and well worth the few dollars. It was one of the most beautiful places I visited while in Xi'an.

 

Shop in Shenzhen Lowu (Luohu) Commercial City

Shenzhen | RUNNERMORE | 2006-07-21 08:59:55 GMT-5

 

The best and easiest place to shop, especially if you are short of time, is Lowu Commercial City, a sprawling shopping center with close to 1500 small shops selling everything from dinosaur eggs (yes! real dinosaur eggs!) to high fashion leather handbags. The mall is in a sleek blue glass building at the exit of the Chinese border crossing.

 

While it's relatively safe, the usual travelling rules apply: dress down, leave your jewelry at home, shop with a belt bag, and bring a bag on wheels for your purchases.

 

So called Silk Street

Beijing | MELODYNYELLOW | 2006-07-15 06:21:08 GMT-5

 

I saw that many foreigners shop at the Silk Street market, but if I were you I would avoid it. There are many good places for shopping in Beijing that are a lot better and cheaper than Silk Street.

 

There are many stores at Silk Street selling cheap clothes and traditional things. Most of the clothes especially silken clothes are not real. Other things like little gifts or crafts are of poor quality. Watch out for pickpockets.

 

Zhuhai

-General- | KEVINWARDCFC | 2006-04-24 03:31:16 GMT-5

 

When you enter Mainland China via Zhuhai, there is a huge underground market right beyond the customs exit. There is an endless array of curio shops, but not all items on display are genuine. I found the paper cuttings and wall hangings particularly splendid. You must bargain because it is a very touristy area. Be sure to shop around and compare prices. And if you are hungry, there are plenty of food stalls selling snacks and full meals. Prices are reasonable.

 

Liu Li Chang Street

Beijing | CALIFORNIA | 2006-04-19 21:04:45 GMT-5

 

If you are interested in Chinese culture, you can shop at Liulichang in Beijing. There you can buy Chinese calligraphy, brush pens, paintings, and antiques. Take the subway Line 2 to the Hepingmen Station and then go to the south some 800 meters.