China offers an incredible journey through 5,000 years of history, from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to ultramodern Shanghai skyscrapers. Experience diverse landscapes ranging from karst mountains in Guilin to the Tibetan Plateau, savor world-renowned cuisine, and witness the fusion of ancient traditions with state-of-the-art technology.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Cloisonné Enamelware
Intricate metal objects decorated with colorful enamel patterns using a centuries-old technique. Vases, bowls, and jewelry are popular forms of this distinctly Chinese art originating in Beijing.
Price: $15-200
Where: Panjiayuan Antique Market, Wangfujing shops, Beijing craft stores
Longjing Dragon Well Tea
China's most famous green tea grown in Hangzhou's West Lake region with a distinctive flat leaf shape and sweet, mellow flavor. Considered one of China's top ten teas and a prestigious gift.
Price: $10-150
Where: Meijiawu Tea Village Hangzhou, specialty tea shops nationwide
Jingdezhen Porcelain
Exquisite porcelain from China's porcelain capital with 1,700 years of production history. Blue-and-white patterns, famille rose, and celadon pieces represent the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic art.
Price: $20-500+
Where: Jingdezhen Ceramic Market, antique markets, museum shops
Suzhou Silk Products
Lustrous silk scarves, ties, and fabric from Suzhou, China's silk capital. Hand-embroidered pieces from Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute are world-renowned for their double-sided needlework.
Price: $15-300
Where: Suzhou Silk Museum shop, Zhouzhuang, Shanghai Fabric Market
Chinese Calligraphy and Paintings
Traditional brush paintings of landscapes, birds, and flowers or calligraphy scrolls make meaningful keepsakes. Original work from Liulichang Art Street in Beijing offers authentic artistic expression.
Price: $10-1000+
Where: Liulichang Cultural Street Beijing, Moganshan Road Shanghai, Rong Bao Zhai
Paper-Cut Art (Jianzhi)
Delicate decorative paper cuttings depicting animals, flowers, and folk scenes using scissors or knives. These red paper artworks are traditional festival decorations with roots in China's rural heritage.
Price: $3-30
Where: Night markets, souvenir shops, folk art museums
Sichuan Peppercorns and Spice Blends
Authentic Sichuan peppercorns producing the famous numbing-spicy 'mala' sensation, dried chili varieties, and five-spice blends. Essential ingredients to recreate Sichuan cuisine at home.
Price: $5-25
Where: Chengdu Jinsha Supermarket, wet markets, spice stalls
Jade Carvings and Jewelry
Jade is central to Chinese culture symbolizing good luck, virtue, and prosperity. Nephrite and jadeite pieces range from simple pendants to elaborate carved figures and bangles.
Price: $20-10000+
Where: Jade markets in Beijing, Guangzhou Jade Street, certified gem stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Panjiayuan Antique Market
Beijing's largest flea market with 4,000+ stalls selling antiques, folk art, ceramics, jade, calligraphy, and collectibles. Weekends are the best time to visit with thousands of vendors and the best selection.
Where: 18 Huaweili, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 4:30AM-6PM
Yuyuan Bazaar
Historic Ming-Dynasty-style complex surrounding Yu Garden with hundreds of stalls selling traditional Chinese goods. Great for silk, tea, snacks, jade, and handicrafts in a beautiful historical setting.
Where: Near Yu Garden, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Hours: Daily 8AM-8PM
Muslim Quarter Night Market (Da Piyuan)
Vibrant market in Xi'an's Islamic district stretching 250 meters with street food stalls, spice shops, and handicraft vendors. Famous for lamb skewers, persimmon cakes, and handmade noodles.
Where: Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an
Hours: Daily 9AM-10PM, best after 6PM
Wuhou Shrine Night Market
Lively outdoor market near Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street selling Sichuan snacks, local handicrafts, and folk art. A great place to taste skewers and buy Sichuan souvenirs.
Where: Wuhou District, Chengdu
Hours: Daily 11AM-11PM
Qingping Chinese Medicine Market
China's largest Chinese herbal medicine market with hundreds of shops selling dried herbs, medicinal roots, mushrooms, and exotic ingredients. Also has seafood, dried goods, and local specialty foods.
Where: Qingping Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Hours: Daily 8AM-8PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Wangfujing Street
Beijing's premier shopping thoroughfare stretching 800m with department stores, boutiques, flagship stores, and the famous snack street. Mix of Chinese brands, international labels, and tourist shops in central Beijing.
Best for: Department store shopping, Chinese brands, street food, souvenirs
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Shanghai's most famous shopping street spanning 1.2km from People's Square to the Bund. Hundreds of shops ranging from Chinese state stores to international brands in a festive pedestrian setting.
Best for: Fashion, electronics, department stores, Chinese brands
Xintiandi
Upscale Shanghai entertainment and shopping complex in restored 1920s lane houses. Luxury boutiques, international restaurants, bars, and art galleries in a beautiful shikumen architectural setting.
Best for: Luxury brands, lifestyle shops, restaurants, art galleries
Liulichang Cultural Street
Beijing's historic street for art, antiques, calligraphy supplies, and cultural artifacts stretching from Xuanwumen to Hepingli. Traditional shop fronts sell paintings, ink stones, rare books, and chops.
Best for: Antiques, calligraphy supplies, traditional paintings, seals
Taikoo Li Chengdu
Sprawling open-air luxury shopping complex in central Chengdu around historic Daci Temple. Premium international brands, designer boutiques, and excellent dining in a modern-traditional architectural blend.
Best for: Luxury fashion, international brands, fine dining
Silk Street Market (Xiushui)
Six floors of clothing, silk, electronics, and souvenirs in central Beijing. Known for bargaining and a wide range of goods from silk scarves to name-brand merchandise. Haggling essential.
Best for: Bargain shopping, silk goods, souvenirs, electronics
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
IAPM Shanghai
Upscale shopping mall in Jing'an district featuring over 200 international luxury brands including Prada, Gucci, Burberry, and Apple. Connected to metro with multiple dining options and a cinema.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
SKP Beijing
Beijing's premier luxury mall near the World Trade Center with the highest concentration of top-tier international brands. Home to Hermès, Chanel, and an exceptional food hall with gourmet offerings.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Kerry Centre Chengdu
High-end integrated complex combining luxury shopping, dining, and the Kerry Hotel. Features international luxury brands, a gourmet supermarket, and excellent dining floor with international cuisines.
Hours: 10AM-9:30PM daily
Raffles City Beijing
Elegant mall in the city center featuring mid-to-high range international brands, a food court, and multiple restaurants. Convenient location near Dongzhimen station with wide variety of shops.
Hours: 10AM-9:30PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at markets, antique shops, and street stalls - never at fixed-price stores or malls
Start by offering 30-40% of the asking price and work up from there
Compare prices at multiple stalls before committing to a purchase
Be willing to walk away - the vendor will often call you back with a lower price
Use a calculator or phone to communicate prices when there's a language barrier
Buying multiple items gives you more bargaining power for a bundle discount
Never show too much enthusiasm for an item or the price will stay high
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques over 100 years old with red wax seal require special export permit; genuine jade exports regulated; cultural relics may be confiscated at customs without documentation
Tax Refund: VAT refund available for purchases over 500 CNY at designated tax-refund stores; claim at airport customs before check-in; refund rate approximately 9-11%
Duty Free: Travelers can bring home up to $800 USD of goods duty-free (US residents); UK allowance £390; alcohol limit 2L spirits or 4L wine; tobacco 200 cigarettes
Shipping: International shipping available through China Post, SF Express, and DHL from major post offices and courier shops; factor in shipping costs for large purchases; EMS reliable for smaller items