Going to China (Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai) Monday. Looking for advise on shopping and shoping spots to avoid

I would like to get some souvenirs for family and friends. Of the places I'm going, does anyone have first-hand knowledge of good places to shop for bargains? And what things should I watch for or be aware of?


ThanksGoing to China (Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai) Monday. Looking for advise on shopping and shoping spots to avoid
For tourist group, usually they will bring you to store that sells the real thing with certain quality, but the price are much more than normal if you know where to shop. The tourist leader usually get some commission out of it. Usually I will shop a little even I know the price is not good. (well.. the tourist guide usually depending on income from commission, so I usually shop a little just to thank to their hard work. Remember not to stop others from shopping those high priced thing even you think it is not worth.)





The time that you spent alone or ';Street shopping time'; in tourist group are the time you can find good bargins. Well.. you need to work hard on your bargins... The seller won't tell you the true price unless it is a country ownered store or chain store that only sell with listed price.





Some of the exp:


Shanghai - City God Temple is a good place to shop. Silk clothes starting price rmb200 knocks to rmb100. T-shirts RMB50 knocks to RMB100 for 5. (Well... I speak Shanghaiese, so the starting price could be lower than you.) - There is no bargin for snacks selling in City God Temple in Shanghai. They sell a lot of special snacks made by beef jerky, pork jerky, candy, fruit and fish jerky.) The RMB10 and RMB2 store has not bargin.





Beijing - I was visiting there a month ago. In jade store, the list price could be rmb800, but the guy may sell for rmb80. Be careful not to break anything.





The things you can buy from Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou are similiar especially Hangzhou and Shanghai are so close to each other. Hangzhou is famous for its dragon well tea. Good Chinese tea costs a lot (rmb500 to rmb1000 per 500g, but it is not worth if you cannot tell the difference between good and bad tea. Silk products are also famous in area around Shanghai.





- Remember this: China is cheap for its labor cost. The raw material costs are likely similar (e.g. Gold bracelet the gold costs the same as US, but the ';work'; to make it to a bracelet is cheaper in China. The price will never go below the price of that many Gold unless it is a fake.) Anything that is foreign brand (non-foreign), it is unlikely to be cheaper in China unless it is fake. Fake things in China could be very real or bad. (My father in law's fake brand watch rmb30 broke in 1 week. My wife's LV handbag RMB300 is so real that needs an expert to tell the different... )Going to China (Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai) Monday. Looking for advise on shopping and shoping spots to avoid
I have been in Hangzhou for three weeks and the best place to buy souvenirs here is probably the the Hefeng Street Market, (the one with the giant Buddha). If you are really brave you can go to the Night market (Huixing Rd), but hold on to your belongings and be careful because people can be pushy and rude. It's kind of a shady place but the prices and items are really good. The Silk market is very nice and you can buy great silk ties and other items for well below what you would pay in America. Always let them state the prices first and try to bargain them down. I usually get them down at least half of what they started at. It also depends on the time of day that you go. If you go near closing time, your chances for success, greatly increase.





If you want a good website that I have basically relied on since my stay in Hangzhou, go to www.morehangzhou.com





I also went to Beijing and there are tons of souvenir shops with good stuff around the Forbidden City. I have many friends that went to Shanghai and that is always hit and miss. There are lots of shady places there so always be cautious in Shanghai.





Have a good time.
try the Ya Show clothings market in Beijing if you are looking to buy wool-blend dinner jackets or casual jackets. There are also many shops selling brand-name sports wear at less-than-factory outlet prices. No one would, however, confirm whether they are genuine goods or factory overruns so it is important to keep that in mind when you buy stuff in China. Nevertheless, for whatever you buy in China, always bargain and don't to afraid to start bargaining at a quarter of their asking price. Prices are always inflated for tourists so be firm but polite and walk away when the price is not right. You would be surprised at how fast the shopkeeper will give you a new ';best price';. I got my wool dinner jacket and trousers for RMB300 (about USD 40) when the original asking price was RMB800 for the jacket alone and this was only because I did not have time on my hands to bargain it down further. Quality of stitching and material was not too bad.
Welcome to Hangzhou.