Shopping

In China, shopping can be a tourist attraction all on its own. Virtually anything can be purchased in China. There are a few products that visitors tend to specially seek out in China.

There are a large number of pirated or fake products in China. These range from electronics and DVDs to clothes and shoes. Careful consideration should be taken before buying any fake products. Special care should also be taken when buying antiques, as many of these turn out to be fake.

Bargaining plays a large role in many China shopping experiences. Be sure you understand the rules of bargaining in China to avoid paying too much or causing an awkward situation for yourself.


Souvenirs

Certain souvenirs are particularly popular in China. Beautiful silk and embroidery can be found for extremely low prices. Ceramics, porcelain and carvings are also extremely popular.

Fine jewellery can also be found throughout China. Silver bracelets and necklaces are particular popular. Excellent jade is a particular specialty found in China. Carvings made from wood, stone or marble are also available.

Artwork such as paintings, calligraphy and handmade musical instruments are all available in China. Beautiful pieces of art can be bought for very reasonable prices. Specialized stamps and art supplies are available as decorations or as tools for creating your own artwork. Chinese fans are themselves pieces of art; many of them come with elaborate paintings or calligraphy.

Clothing and accessories are a big attraction for many visitors. Beautifully dyed handmade bags and hats in ethnic minority regions are cheap and make great gifts. Tailored suits and dresses can be had for a fraction of the price in many other countries. In cities like Shanghai and Beijing, any name brand clothing can be easily purchased.

Tea is another common purchase. A huge variety of teas are available in China. From regular supermarkets to specialty stores, Chinese teas can be found in a variety of flavors, forms and prices.


Fake Products

China is packed with fake products. This can help you and it can hurt you.

The benefit is that many fake products are as good or almost as good as their real counterparts. This means that you get a perfectly good product for a fraction of the price it would otherwise be.

The downside is that fake products are often of much lower quality than real ones. Some fake products might break a few days after you buy them. Some might even fall apart right after you leave the store.

Buying fake products is always somewhat risky. For smaller purchases it is sometimes worth it. If you buy an inexpensive fake product and it breaks, you don’t lose too much money. However if you buy something expensive, it is better to buy a real version. If you buy a fake one and it breaks, you will end up losing a lot of money; the risk is not worth it.

Note that fake products will be confiscated if discovered at customs when leaving the country, either with a person or through the mail.

Sometimes it isn't clear whether a product is fake or not. This is especially true when dealing with things like jade and other jewelry, or art work. Always ask yourself if the the deal is too good to be true. Don't be afraid to hold off and do more research on the item; if the seller tries to put a lot of pressure on you to buy, it's a sign that he is trying to fool you.

Antiques

Most real antiques in China are in personal collections or museums. There are very few antiques left for sale in shops and markets. Beware any seller that claims that an item is a real antique; it is very likely they are lying.

If you do find a real antique for sale, you must be sure to get the proper paperwork to go with it. This will allow you to legally own and transport the antique out of China. Without these documents the authorities can and will confiscate your antique and possibly fine you.

Bargaining

Bargaining is an essential part of shopping in China. In many markets and shops, shoppers are expected to discuss the price of almost any item. The seller starts by offering a much higher price than for an item than it is actually worth. The buyer then proceeds to offer a price lower than the item is actually worth. They then discuss until they reach a price that both of them can accept.

When buying an item, your first offer sets the standard for how the bargaining will proceed. It’s best to aim low at first – if you offer too little, you can always ask for more. If you start too high, however, it’s not acceptable to lower your price later in the process – you can only go up. Try starting at about 50% of what the seller is asking for. In places with many tourists, you can go as low as 10 – 15% what the seller asks for.

Remember that in most markets, there many sellers with the same products. To get a feeling for what a good price on any particular item is, try to bargain with several different sellers. When you’ve practiced in this way a few times, decide in your mind your maximum price for that item and don’t go above it while bargaining.

If you find the seller is unwilling to lower the price any further, you can start to walk away from the shop or stall. This signals to the seller that you’re serious about your price and will not pay any more. Sometimes the seller will then give in and call you back to the shop, selling the item for the last price you offered.

Remember that the point of bargaining is not to get something for nothing. The purpose is to come to a price that both the seller and buyer can agree to. Understand that the seller of any item is also trying to make a living. Also keep in mind that bargaining can and should be a friendly experience; you can discuss prices without getting angry or upset at the seller.

It's not approrpiate to bargain in every setting. Don't bargain over food, beverages or very small items. Anything in a shop with fixed prices is usually (but not always) off-limits for bargaining. The range of bargaining for some products, like electronics, is relatively small; you might only be able to reduce the price a little bit. Other products like clothes have greater flexibility in price.