Things to Buy in China 2025 — What to Buy, Where to Find, and How to Make It Count

What to Buy in China — From Classic Souvenirs to Trendy Finds You’ll Actually Love

Top N China Souvenirs to Buy — Tea, Silk, and Panda Gifts (Perfect for 2025)

When you're trying to figure out which China souvenirs to buy, this year's top 10 combine charm with culture. Panda plush toys, silk scarves, and delicate hand-painted fans remain must-haves, while tea sets and porcelain from Jingdezhen mean you've got an eye for the finer things in life. Travelers in Beijing can slip into local kitsune stores and pick up vintage posters or cloisonné vases for about ¥100–200. Tea lovers will often go to the stores closest ¥80 and buy premium Longjing tins. Our souvenirs pick up the good old habulence, with that special touch of ornateness shown just by beautiful designs which prove both practical and beautiful at the same time.

The souvenir list is rich and varied; open Top 24 China Souvenirs to Buy on Your Trip (Perfect Gifts for 2025) for careful picks.

Shanghai Clothing Stores — From Sneakers to Silk Dresses (Fashion for Every Budget)

In terms of fashion, when you're thinking of things to buy in China, Shanghai should be your destination. Head along Huaihai Road to grab some Nike shoes and jackets from Peacebird for around ¥400–900. In Tianzifang, wanderers will find linen dresses priced at ¥300 or bold designer tops for nearly an equivalent amount. Those wanting something fun and cheap would still do well with Qipu Road Market taking pride because most of their garments fall into the ¥80-odd range. From streetwear to silk dresses, these are the clothes to buy in China when you want a style that feels at home on both sides of the Pacific.As everyone knows, these are very popular things.

Want to pick the best styles locals swear by? Head to Top 12 Spots of Shanghai Clothing Stores to Buy (Perfect Gifts for 2025) for a closer look.

Porcelain, Jade, and Calligraphy — Ancient Symbols with Modern Appeal

If you're into this business of collecting meaningful gifts, jade pendants or porcelain cups should be high on any list. At Beijing's Hongqiao Market, expect to pay around ¥150–600 for small jade pieces and ¥1,000+ if you really want high quality with certificates. For Chinese porcelain lovers there's nothing to compare with Jingdezhen, the pottery capital of China. Even travel agencies such as Ctrip highlight factory tours (around ¥480) that all include painting experiences. For something lighter, traditional calligraphy sets (¥60–150) are on sale at Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley and make excellent cultural souvenirs.

Snacks and Tech — From Spicy Heat to Smart Power

In Guangzhou and Chengdu markets they sell addictive travel snacks—White Rabbit candy, spicy nuts, and hotpot bases (from ¥20 to ¥50 a pack). They're small, easy enough to carry around and make one think that they're getting some taste of China itself. For those who early on get into the modern traveling habit, buying good tech can also be rewarding. Xiaomi, Anker, and Baseus Power Banks under ¥200 are all 3C-certified and can go on an airplane. Bargains can be picked up at Shenzhen SEG Plaza or JD.com's official stores, where warranty coverage includes English support. Buying tech in China feels like joining its technological heart—a place where innovation is not just swift but also affordable.

Where to Buy in China — From Buzzing Night Markets to Iconic Mega Malls You Can’t Miss

Beijing Road Night Market

Guangzhou’s Night Markets — Street Food, Souvenirs, and Local Chaos

If you really want to absorb the city's true life, then after 6 p.m. early night markets in Guangzhou are a must. Lanterns light up the area, stoves are smoking, and there's the aroma of cumin and chili oil in the air. Beijing Road Night Market is famous for souvenirs and clothes; but the best places are down little alleys such as those off Huifu East Road, in order to taste something not commercially available elsewhere.

Grilled special squid at 15 yuan, sugar coated hawthorn berries 10 yuan and even copy Nike shoes on real Nike lasts can be bartered down with little effort. Passing by stall state locals is the best way to get a feel of Guangzhou's energy. The laughing, sizzling sounds, and flashing signs all add to the charm.

Craving more local market vibes and shopping ideas? Visit 12 Best Night Markets in Guangzhou: Street Food and Souvenirs Full of Local Vibes to get the full scoop.

Shanghai’s Cloud Nine Mall — Shopping with a View

Wearing a city sky on one's wristShanghai has many good shopping malls. When you go to Zhongshan Park, however, the scene changes. Escalators full of perfume counters and bubble tea kiosks, as they move up a step beyond – the whole city is opened up to you. In front of your eyes is a big panorama of neon stretching away into eternity.I go to Cloud Nine Mall in Shanghai, which is in Zhongshan Park. Here they have Uniqlo, MUJI, Apple, loft hotel stores, and myriad local designer shops.

Middle range prices: a skirt at 200 yuan, a mobile phone at 500 yuan, and the dining places can set you back 60 to 150 yuan per head. The food court at the top floor of the building is said to feature one of the best places in town for home style Japanese ramen noodle. So it's not just a shopping mall but a city in vertical form--and air conditioning with adventure.

Need more tips before hitting the mall? Read Cloud Nine Shanghai Shopping & Dining Guide: My Top Recommendations.

Shenzhen and Guangzhou — The Tech Shopper's Paradise

Huafang street's huge buildings are filled with electronic devices of every type in ShenzhenYet Shenzhen has far more gadgets than I would have thought I ever needed. There are, incredibly: bins for broken phones; drones; even LED signs can be bought custom.

Also tech and fiber are mixed in Guangzhou. Zhanxi Clothing Plaza, where small designers get their materials. Prices all depend on your own smile and patience. Most stalls now accept WeCHAT PAY and foreign cards, so life is simpler than it used to be.

Online Finds: Tmall, JD, and the Rise of Cross-Border Shopping

You don't even have to leave your hotel these days. Tmall Global and JD International now both have English interfaces and shipments abroad. Once I bought tea from a Hangzhou shop via Tmall and found it had arrived in London only ten days later. Prices won't necessarily be cheaper but reliability will be guaranteed. This is perhaps the future of purchasing in China--no haggling, no discomfort, just a tap and tracking number.

How to Buy Smart in China — Insider Tips to Shop Like a Local

Bargain Tips - The Art of Soft Game

Never hurry. Begin at fifty percent off and smile. It is a soft game, not a quarrel. Rather than aggressiveness, salesmen like a laugh. In Xi'an one time, I got a scroll from a vendor but he somehow gave me tea instead of lowering the price. We both laughed and I departed as planned for ¥10 more. This is actually the fun here, oddly enough.

Money Ways: Using Alipay and WeChat Like a Native

Link a universal type card to the international section of Alipay or to WeChat Pay for Tourists if you have one. You do not need to open an account in China Border crossing: Discard unnecessary paperwork and present tiny slips of paper to take the merchant's QR code back. (These act as your proof of purchase for when you drop into a bank later and want refund to your account.) Paying cash still works in the hinterland, but the coinage has pretty much had it. Each beep as transaction is successful is weirdly satisfying: it is the sound of contemporary China working just perfectly.

Tax Rebates, Wrapping and Getting Things Home

Large airports such as Shanghai Pudong and Daxing, Beijing now have self-service tax refund kiosks. The minimum shopping limit is ¥500, and the refund will appear within two weeks. Get digital receipts from shops instead of paper ones – they are quicker to process. Shops offer packaging services for fragile items; I once saw a vase that was fitted out with a quirky bubble wrap of its own like some treasure package predicted in prophecy. Airlines are strict on what sort of lithium batteries you carry, so keep the receipt for safekeeping if they were bought outside the Chinese mainland.

Hidden Gems Few Travelers Talk About — Unique Local Treasures Most Visitors Miss

Kuanzhai Alley

Cloisonné, Fans, and Folk Art — Culture You Can Hold

Beijing’s Liulichang Street still smells faintly of ink and wood polish. You’ll find cloisonné vases glowing under dusty lights and fans painted with mountain scenes. Prices hover around ¥150-300. They’re not flashy, but they carry stories. One vendor told me his grandfather painted opera masks—he still uses the same pigments today.

Vintage Shops and Thrift Markets — Stories Behind Every Find

In Shanghai’s Anfu Road or Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, you’ll find vintage stores full of old radios, postcards, even propaganda pins. Each item feels like a conversation starter. I bought a red enamel cup for ¥60—the kind workers used in the 1960s. It leaks a little, but somehow that adds charm. Just remember: most vintage shops don’t allow refunds.

Eco-Friendly and Local Brands — The New Chinese Cool

Modern Chinese brands like NEIWAI, Ubras, and Li-Ning are rewriting what “Made in China” means. Their stores smell like cedarwood, play soft indie music, and the staff actually know product origins. Prices are midrange—¥200-800 for most items—but you’re buying ethics as much as fabric. These brands appeal to young locals who value quality over quantity.

What Not to Buy (and Why) — Common Tourist Traps You’ll Want to Avoid

Souvenirs That Don’t Last — The Tourist Trap Checklist

Those panda mugs and laser-cut bookmarks look cute, but most break before your next flight. If it feels too polished or plastic, skip it. Real crafts take time—and smell faintly of the materials they’re made from. That’s one way to tell.

Spotting Counterfeits — What’s Too Cheap to Be True

If a jade bracelet costs ¥50, it’s glass. Simple as that. Counterfeits flood even legitimate-looking stores. Always ask for a certificate (证书), especially for gems or antiques. On TripAdvisor, you’ll find endless tales of regretful shoppers in Beijing’s Pearl Market who learned this the hard way.

Customs Rules You Should Know Before Packing

Airlines enforce power bank restrictions—no devices over 20,000mAh. Food items like mooncakes and dried meat might be confiscated depending on your destination. Always declare high-value electronics at customs; it’s boring, but it saves you from extra questioning later.

FAQ — Real Questions Travelers Ask Before Shopping in China

Q: What’s Worth Buying in China in 2025

Electronics, traditional crafts, and local snacks make China a shopping paradise. You can grab smart devices, silk scarves, or handmade ceramics at great prices. Many travelers love buying tea leaves, bamboo chopsticks, and calligraphy sets as cultural souvenirs. You’ll also find great value in beauty tech and herbal skincare. With such variety, things to buy in China can fit every budget and taste.

Q: What to Buy in China to Bring Back Home

Tea, porcelain cups, and spicy snacks always impress your friends back home. Many foreigners prefer buying Chinese herbal skincare and gadgets like Xiaomi power banks. If you love food, try bringing back chili oil, hotpot bases, or White Rabbit candy. For cultural gifts, silk fans or panda plushies are perfect. These things to buy in China tell stories beyond price tags.

Q: What Can $1 Get You in China

One dollar, or about 7 RMB, still gets you far in smaller cities. You can buy steamed buns, bottled drinks, or a quick metro ride. Street food stalls also sell skewers, dumplings, or pancakes for this price. While cities like Shanghai cost more, small towns remain budget-friendly. For travelers, that’s part of the fun when hunting for cheap things to buy in China.

Q: What Are the Cheapest Things to Buy in China

Daily goods like socks, notebooks, and phone cases often cost less than ¥5. Local markets, Taobao, or discount shops offer great deals year-round. While quality varies, many items are surprisingly durable and well-made. Stationery lovers will find cute pens and stickers everywhere. When considering affordable things to buy in China, don’t overlook creative designs.

Q: What Are Cute Things to Buy in China

If you adore cute designs, China is heaven. Pop Mart blind boxes, anime keychains, and panda accessories top every gift list. Stores like Miniso, KKV, or Pop Mart offer colorful home items starting at ¥10. These small gifts fit any suitcase and bring smiles. For travelers, cute things to buy in China are both fun and photo-worthy.

Q: What Are the Best Things to Buy in China for Men and Women

Men often go for sneakers, tea sets, or tech gadgets, while women love jade bracelets, silk pajamas, and herbal beauty items. Both enjoy hand-painted ceramics or tea gift boxes. You’ll find trendy malls and traditional boutiques side by side. When it comes to things to buy in China, gender doesn’t limit your options.

Q: Are Chinese Electronics Good Quality

Yes, many Chinese electronics are top-tier. Brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Anker now rival Apple and Samsung in quality. Their designs are sleek, and most devices support global versions. You can easily find multilingual settings and global warranties. Tech fans will see why electronics are among the smartest things to buy in China.

Q: Are Things Cheaper in China Than Overseas

Generally, yes—especially local brands. Smartphones, kitchenware, and fashion items cost less without import taxes. Imported goods can be pricey, but domestic products offer strong value. Prices also drop during events like Double 11 or 618. That’s why many foreigners plan their trips around sale seasons when searching for things to buy in China.

Q: Where Do Locals Shop for Good Deals

Locals love shopping online on Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo for bargains. Offline, wholesale centers like Yiwu or night markets in Guangzhou are full of treasures. You’ll see locals checking prices on phones before paying. Patience pays off, especially during big sales. Following locals’ habits reveals the best-value things to buy in China.

Q: What Should Foreigners Avoid Buying in China

Skip ivory, animal products, or antiques older than a century—they’re illegal to export. Also, avoid unverified electronics or fake luxury goods without 3C certification. Always buy from official malls or trusted e-commerce stores. Customs are strict, so better stay safe. Knowing what not to buy is just as key when choosing things to buy in China.