Top 10 Best Things to Buy in China

China isn’t just a country full of beautiful landscapes, great food, and rich culture – it’s also an amazing shopping destination! Whether you’re looking for a souvenir to always remind you of your unforgettable trip or just hoping to take advantage of the lower prices, China has it all… As long as you know what you’re looking for!

Not sure what to get the next time you’re there? No worries. Here’s a list of the top 10 best things to buy in China so you can be sure you don’t miss a thing.

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• Classic Chinese Souvenirs
• Cultural & Artistic Crafts
• Food & Modern Shopping Finds
• What Souvenirs to Buy in Major Destinations
• Plan Your Shopping Tour with China Xian Tour

Classic Chinese Souvenirs

1. Tea

If you’re only going to buy one thing in China, let it be tea. Not only is tea one of the best things to buy in China, but it’s also one of the most accessible, given how beloved it is across the country. With so many different flavours and styles of preparation, you’re bound to find something you like, and even if you somehow don’t, you’ll still fall in love with the meditative peace of Chinese tea ceremonies.

• Average Price

1. Longjing: CNY 800-1500/500g
2. Tieguanyin: CNY 100-800/500g
3. Pu’er tea: CNY 60-800/500g

• Where to buy:

1. Longjing tea (Dragon Well tea): Hangzhou
2. Oolong tea(Tieguanyin): Fujian province
3. Pu’ertea: Yunnan

>>See more famous Chinese teas.

Tip: Tea price can be majorly affected by resources, ages, brands, processing techniques, and more. The prices listed here are for reference only.

• How to assess quality

1. Visual Inspection: Symmetrical, neat, and firm, with a lustrous sheen.
2. Aroma: It should have a characteristic clean, floral, or roasted fragrance.
3. Tasting Notes: Smoothandwith a pure, free of any off-notes. Pleasant, lingering sweetness rather than mere bitterness is a key.

Recommended China Tours including Tea Culture Experience:

6 Days Best Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Exploration Tour

8 Days Yunnan Pu’er Tour with Kunming & Xishuangbanna

2. Porcelain and Ceramics

There’s a reason why fine dishes are called China – the country has long since been famous for its pottery and ceramics, which makes them great buys for anyone looking for a Chinese souvenir that comes with a bit of prestige. Whether you’re looking for something more simple made of orange clay, a traditional blue-white porcelain, or something more unique and modern, there’s sure to be something that will catch your eye.

• Where to buy: Jingdezhen City (Taoxichuan District)
• Average Price:

1. Daily Utensils: From a few yuan to several tens of yuan
2. Boutique: From a few hundred to a few thousand yuan

• How to pick a good one:

The patterns on the porcelain should be exquisitely hand-painted, while the body is fine-grained, lustrous, and translucent white.

3. Hand Fans and Paper Umbrellas

One of the worst things about loving fashion is having to compromise style for practicality, especially when the weather is bad… Which is why traditional hand fans and paper umbrellas make great purchases during your time in China! They can be a lifesaver in scorching weather.

Thanks to their beautiful design and craftsmanship, they also make for wonderful decorations when they’re not being used. They also tend to be relatively inexpensive, so if you’re looking for a cheaper souvenir to remind you of your amazing trip to China, it’s hard to find a better option.

• Where to buy:

1. Hand fans: Suzhou
2. Paper umbrellas: Luzhou
3. Other cities (like Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou) and ancient towns also have shops selling these products.

• Average Price:

1. Average ones: a few tens of yuan
2. Hand-made and customized ones: a few hundred.

• How to pick a good one:

Hand Fan:

1. The top of the fan is uniform in thickness. Free of color variations or visible gaps.
2. Usually, they should be crafted from bamboo, and no
3. It opens and closes with ease, even producing a crisp, clear sound.

Paper umbrellas

1. Use Yanpi Paper to make the cover
2. The rim of the umbrella has no fewer than five rows of stitching
3. The canopy is an off-white color
4. It opens and closes smoothly.

4. Silk and Embroidery

Silk is perfect for artistic people looking for something a little luxurious to buy. Whether you want a tailor-made qipao, bedding, a painting, or anything else you can imagine, you’ll be able to find it. You can even buy bolts of cloth if you have your own project in mind!

Hangzhou and Suzhou are the best places to visit for silk, and while you’re there, you might as well admire the extraordinarily intricate embroidery work they’re known for as well. Who knows, maybe you’ll find the perfect piece to take back with you!

• Where to buy: China Silk City in Hangzhou, Pingjialu in Suzhou
• Average Price:300-1000+ CNY
• How to pick a good one:

1. Momme Weight (Determines the thickness and firmness of the silk)
2. Weave Method

Related reading: What to Buy in Suzhou?

Cultural & Artistic Crafts

5. Traditional Ink Artworks

There are a few things that symbolise China better than its traditional ink paintings. Given that ink artwork, where it’s the simple elegance of calligraphy or a more intricate and layered painting, is one of the things China is most famous for, it’s a perfect souvenir to buy to commemorate your trip.

• Where to buy: Hangzhou (the Scholar’s Four Jewels street), Chengdu (Songxian Bridge)
• Average Price: The price varies a lot, mainly depending on the paper and other ink used and the artist’s reputation. Prices range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of yuan.

6. Jade Carvings

If you’re looking for something a little more unique and special to buy in China, why not check out the country’s jade carvings? Jade has a special place in Chinese culture, being associated with the soul, immortality, and heaven. You can find many different kinds of carved jade products: from simple jewelry pieces to huge jade statues, and from traditional Buddhas and dragons to more modern pieces.

• Where to buy: Antique Markets or Jade Carving Masters’ Studio

1. Beijing: Panjiayuan (潘家园), Yuqi City (玉器城)
2. Xinjiang: Hetianyu Market (和田玉市场)
3. Shanghai: Zhongfu Antique City (中福古玩城)

• Average Price: This item’s price can differ in many ways, and it can be really expensive. It’s better to consult an expert.

Tips: It is only recommended to buy jade carvings if you’re an expert in it or you have someone who can help you to identify the quality of the jade. Always bargain for the price. And if you’re going for it, start with the cheaper ones and find the more reputable shops.

7. Chinese Opera Masks

Chinese opera is an experience. One thing everyone can agree on, though, is how eye-catching the masks are… So why not take one home? Each one represents a different character archetype, from the righteous red mask to the evil white mask, so it’s the perfect thing to buy during your trip to China if you want a conversation piece that will help you show off your Chinese cultural knowledge.

• Where to buy: Beijing Panjiayuan or some boutique shops
• Average Price: 300-1500+ CNY

Recommended Tours with Opera Experience:

4 Days Chengdu Discovery Tour

Beijing Bus Tour: Beijing Opera Night Show Tour

8.Hanfu/Traditional Clothing in China

Hanfu is commonly used to refer to historical wear from a variety of time periods and ethnic groups. Many of the outfits are also relatively affordable, so they’re a perfect gift to buy for kids, too – you’ll love seeing them run around as little lords and ladies!

• Where to buy:

1. In Cities: Shantang Street in Suzhou, Hefang Street in Hangzhou, or Datang Ever Bright City in Xian
2. Brands: Chonghuihantang (重回汉唐, a famous brand, can be found in a lot of cities), Hanshanghualian (汉尚华莲), Tangshuhanqi (唐书汉旗)

• Average Price:100-1000+ CNY
• How to pick a good one:

1. Fabrics: Silk, cotton-linen blends, or even fine brocades
2. Craftsmanship: Hand embroidery, specialized weaving techniques
3. Design and Originality: Some brands feature unique designs and styles
4. Brands: Renowned brands offer greater assurance

Related reading: Traditional Chinese Clothing

Food & Modern Shopping Finds

9. Local Snacks and Drinks

China is famous for its food. There is a wide range of flavors, and trying them is often a fun and novel experience too. Traditional delicacies like Peking duck and mooncakes for those who want a more culturally meaningful food experience, and some may be more interested in the strong alcohol baijiu, which is also an ideal gift. It’s hard to go wrong in sending food to your friends and family.

• Where to buy: local pastry shops or stores selling local specialties (e.g., Hotpot condiment in Sichuan)
• Average Price: varies a lot, but normally won’t be at a really high price

10. Electronics

China has become a paradise for techies. Many people would now specifically come to China to buy electronics, and brands like DJI, Xiaomi, Shokz, and Anker are highly preferred. Cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai have a lot of shopping places like the famous Huaqiangbei. This area is known for selling anything and everything electronics-related. Just make sure to brush up on your haggling skills beforehand so you get the best price possible!

• Where to buy: Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen, computer cities (electronic shopping centers) in different cities.
• Average Price: Popular devices like the DJI Pocket 3 cost RMB 2799/ USD 409 (standalone), and the Anker Prime Power Bank costs RMB 369/ USD 54 (9600 mAh)
• How to pick a good one: stick to the flagship store

Related reading: Top Shopping Cities in China

What Souvenirs to Buy in Major Destinations

Destination	What to Buy
Beijing	Peking duck snacks, cloisonné (enamelware), Chinese opera masks
Shanghai	Qipao (cheongsam), silk products, White Rabbit candy
Shenzhen	Electronics, gadgets, accessories
Guangzhou	Cantonese snacks, dried seafood, herbal products
Chengdu	Sichuan spices, hotpot base, panda-themed souvenirs
Chongqing	Hotpot base, spicy snacks, local handicrafts
Hangzhou	Longjing tea, silk, umbrellas
Suzhou	Silk, embroidery, fans
Yunnan	Pu’er tea, ethnic handicrafts, silver jewelry
Xian	Terracotta Warrior replicas, shadow puppets, local snacks
Guilin	Guilin rice noodles, local tea, landscape paintings
Hong Kong	Luxury goods, cosmetics, imported snacks

Plan Your Shopping Tour with China Xian Tour

China is a heaven for people who like shopping. There are various types of souvenirs you can bring home to commemorate your journey or send to your family and friends. China Xian Tour can help you plan a detailed shopping tour and give you all the local recommendation. However, don’t get us wrong. We won’t force you to buy anything, and our local guides are also not allowed to take guests to stores for commissions.

If you want to have a unique shopping experience in China, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to make everything pleasant and smooth for you.