Shopping in China
Photo: Bert Peers - User: (WT-shared) Peirz at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
As China's emergent middle class finds itself with increasing amounts of disposable income, shopping has become a national pastime. A wide range of goods are available to suit any budget.
UnderstandDo not expect everything to be cheap.
VATMost purchases in China are subject to a value-added tax (VAT).
ClothingChina is one of the world's leading manufacturers of clothing, shoes and accessories.
Brand-name goodsItems with big worldwide brand labels sold in China may be bogus, especially expensive and exclusive popular brands.
Software, music and moviesMost CDs (music or software) and DVDs in China are unauthorized copies. The ones that sell for ¥6-10 and come in cheap flat paper envelopes are absolutely certain to be bogus.
Endangered speciesThere are products that are fairly common in China which you should avoid purchasing — coral, ivory, and parts from endangered animal species.
BargainingBargaining is a national pastime in China. You can bargain over almost anything, and sometimes it's even possible to ask for a discount in a restaurant at the last minute before you pay the bill.
Tobacco productsWhile smoking is decreasing in China, it is still quite common and cigarettes (香烟 xiāngyān) are generally cheap.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Shopping in China" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Bert Peers - User: (WT-shared) Peirz at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons