Short answer: Bargain in markets and small shops, do not bargain in chain stores, malls or supermarkets, and pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay almost everywhere. The best first-timer buys are tea, silk scarves, ceramics, local snacks and well-chosen souvenirs — not “bargain” electronics or branded goods that are likely fake.
Shopping in China ranges from vast wholesale markets to quiet teahouses and modern malls. This guide covers where to shop, how bargaining actually works, what is worth buying, and the scams to avoid. For payment setup, see How to Set Up Alipay and Money in China.
1. Where to shop
- Markets: Best for bargaining, souvenirs, clothes and accessories. Prices are starting points, not fixed prices.
- Specialist streets and old towns: Best for tea, ceramics, silk and local crafts. Quality varies hugely; a knowledgeable shop that explains the product is usually worth more than the cheapest stall.
- Malls and chain stores: Fixed prices, receipts, returns and card acceptance. Best for practical items and for comparing a market price afterwards.
- Supermarkets: Best for snacks, tea, toiletries and gifts that travel well. Fixed prices, no bargaining.
2. How to bargain, without the theatre
- Decide your walk-away price before you start, based on what the item is worth to you, not on the first price quoted.
- Offer calmly, roughly a third to a half of the opening price for a typical market item, and move up slowly. Treat any percentage as a starting point, not a rule.
- Be polite and brief. A smile, a calculator, and a willingness to walk away work better than a long argument.
- If you agree a price, pay that price. Do not agree and then try to renegotiate.
- If the seller will not move, either pay the price you are happy with or walk away. There is always another stall.
Do not bargain where prices are fixed, and do not bargain for food in a restaurant or for transport fares that are metered or app-priced.
3. What to buy — and what to avoid
| Worth considering | Be careful with |
|---|---|
| Tea, bought from a shop that lets you taste it | “Antiques” and jade from street sellers — authenticity is hard to verify |
| Silk scarves and well-made local textiles | Branded bags, watches and electronics at “bargain” prices — usually fake |
| Ceramics, packed properly for travel | Large, fragile items with no packing service |
| Local snacks, dried fruit and packaged food | Fresh food that will not survive the flight home |
Ask about packing and shipping before you buy anything fragile. A shop that packs ceramics properly is worth paying a little more for.
4. Paying, receipts and customs
Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted in most shops and markets; larger shops also take international cards. Ask for a receipt (fapiao or a shop receipt) for anything expensive, and keep it until you are home. Check your home country’s customs and import rules before buying food, plants, animal products or anything that looks old: some items cannot legally be exported or imported, whatever the seller says. For ordering and delivery language, see How to Order Food in China and Translation Apps for China.
5. Shopping scams to avoid
- “Tea ceremony” or “art gallery” invitations from friendly strangers that end in a high-pressure sale: politely decline, as explained in Is China Safe for First-Time Visitors?.
- Switching the item after you pay: check the item in the bag before you leave the shop.
- Currency tricks: pay in the app and check the amount on screen, rather than accepting a verbal total in a hurry.
Prices vary by city, shop and season. Use market prices as a guide to what is reasonable, and treat any single price in a guide as an example, not a current price.
Frequently asked questions
Should I bargain in China?
In markets and small shops, yes. In malls, chain stores and supermarkets, no — prices are fixed.
Is it safe to buy tea in China?
Yes, from a shop that lets you taste before you buy. Avoid high-pressure “ceremony” sales from strangers.
Can I pay for shopping with Alipay?
In most shops and markets, yes. Carry small-bill cash as a backup for small stalls.