Shopping

China is a very popular place for tourists, and its distinctive culture and numerous natural & historical places of interest are a huge draw. There are so many subcultures in the nation, with their own dialect, cuisines, and traditions. While this is not surprising considering the culture and civilization is literally thousands of years old, the common tourist like you can delight in the fact that such diversity affords a range of options for shopping in China.
Wangfujing Street
Located in Beijing, the best shopping city in China, this is the foremost street market here. Here you will find countless souvenir shops, eclectic food carts selling the most delicious Chinese cuisine, painting stores, and departmental stores. You can find anything from traditional Chinese herbs to modern amenities here. The evening market is especially interesting because you can locate movable carts that sell traditional Han as well as other Chinese food.
Chunxi Road
Chengdu’s best market is located on Chunxi Road, and it is certainly a place you must go to if you are visiting Sichuan or looking for the best products to buy from China. The province has distinct traditions of its own and if you are looking to sample Chinese food that is not the kind you are used to, this is the place to go. Bronze statues at the head of the road where the market begins, reflect a lot about the time this place was constructed.
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
For shopping in China, Guangzhou’s Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is the prime spot to visit. South China culture is striking, with the ornate and oriental architecture of the streets and shops that you will find here. There are almost 300 shops clustered in a stretch of only 1200 meters, which means that you have to keep your eyes open, lest you miss a good buy! There are the most modern brands of clothing and footwear here, and also local shops that provide the best experience of shopping in China.
Barkhor Street
A break from the mainstream Chinese culture can be found in Tibet, and what better way to take that experience home than to shop on Barkhor Street around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Colourful prayer flags can be found in the market here, and you can also look for Tibetan snacks like the delicious Tibetan-style dim sums that are quite popular with international tourists.
Central Avenue
This charming cobblestone-paved street and the shops around it were first built by the Russians and the place was called Chinese Street. Today, you can still see the enormous Russian influence on the architecture of the Central Avenue market. Proximity to their northern neighbours means you can actually find Russian products in the markets, besides international restaurants and huge supermarkets. Do visit here if you are looking for some great shopping in China.