Everyone knows that China is famous for its markets and the abundance of a variety of goods on them. Chinese Internet sites have long become commonplace, but more and more people are traveling to China to immerse themselves in the world of cheap shopping. Numerous forums and specialized shop helpers advise you to choose not Beijing or Shanghai, but namely Guangzhou - an industrial center in the south of the country.
Shopping in Guangzhou
This city is the capital of Guangdong and the industrial heart of the country. Due to the fact that most of the light industry is concentrated in the city, the sale of clothes, shoes, leather goods, furniture, textiles and other types of goods here is carried out directly from under a weaving or sewing machine. In fact, Guangzhou is a market city with huge shopping centers and even entire shopping streets and neighborhoods. The same can be said of the entire province. Cities in Guangdong have different specifics - somewhere they produce and sell furniture, somewhere fixtures, and in other cities it is good to go for shoes.
The ability to buy goods first hand, that is, directly from the manufacturer, allows you to get the best prices and discounts. The city also attracts with the opportunity to combine business with pleasure and explore local attractions: ancient temples, modern buildings and interesting natural sites.
Markets
The largest segments in retail and wholesale are the markets in Guangzhou. There are a lot of them in the city, the number is in the hundreds, and each occupies a considerable area. There are specialized stores selling clothing, leather goods, textiles, electronics and the like. In order not to get lost in all this diversity, there are guides and maps.
Since shopping in China is very popular among Russians, some of Guangzhou's retail and wholesale markets are tailored specifically to our taste and fashion, for example, at Shimao, the 4th (men's clothing) and 5th (women's assortment) floors work specifically for buyers from Of Russia. It also sells replicas of famous brands, which is very popular with a Russian-speaking buyer.
But the most famous markets in Guangzhou are āWhite Horseā and āBallā, we will tell you more about them.
"Ball"
This name is perhaps the largest and most famous market in the city. In fact, this is a whole complex of shopping centers and shops, uniting hundreds and hundreds of sellers of various goods in Guangzhou. On the map of the city it can be seen that the market is scattered over an area of āāseveral hundred square meters. It combines several shopping centers and many shops, and the entire space between them is filled with trays and pavilions. To come here, take the subway, focus on the intersection of the blue and red branches, and get off at Guangzhou Railway Station. Exit at gate F and, going straight about 100 meters, turn right immediately after the McDonald's - you have come to the Ball market in Guangzhou.
Market āWhite Horseā
Guangzhou is famous for this most popular clothing market among visitors . If this is your first time on a shopping tour in China and donāt know where to go, come to White Horse. It sells clothes and shoes both retail and wholesale, the prices are quite low, you can bargain. Itās true that itās difficult to do this - there are an incredible amount of people, sellers constantly shout something, calling to themselves, itās difficult to stop in a big stream, and the first walk is usually more like a tourist attraction. But the upper floors of the market are much calmer, and next to the White Horse there are smaller markets that you can visit at the same time. There is also an offline representation of the Taobao market, popular in Russia, and its production is also located in Guangzhou.
On the map of the city it can be seen that the āWhite Horseā is located very close to the āBallā. You can take the metro to Guangzhou railway station, there is also a railway station, so there is always a huge crowd of people at the station. In order not to get lost, head for exit G.
Profitable shopping in Guangzhou - markets or factories?
Many who are just planning to shop in Guangzhou have a stereotype that factories are still cheaper than the market. On the one hand, this is so, and for wholesale buyers special trips are organized directly to production. However, there is no showroom, and the maximum that will help you make a choice is the product catalog.
But the current electronic catalogs are offered only by Taobao sellers, as well as few factories that supply goods only in bulk. This is usually not less than 200 pieces of one position. In addition, although replica production exists everywhere in China, this is formally illegal, so not every intermediary is ready to take you to the outskirts of the city and bargain for your benefit.
It will be a mistake to think that, having found a seller with an interesting product for you, you can easily take a catalog from him and go straight to the factory where his goods are produced. Often the seller and production are ready to sell only what is available. Chinese trade is somewhat chaotic: today they sew one thing, tomorrow another, and you only have to buy what is available right now. Therefore, if you buy goods at retail or in small quantities, it is better to go straight to the market.
Shopping centers
There are a lot of big and very big shopping centers in Guangzhou. They sell clothes, shoes, wedding dresses, fur coats and other outerwear, children's products of both world famous brands and their own production of Chinese factories. It is worth noting that the prices of well-known brands, such as Levis, Mango, Zara, H&M and the like, are about the same as in Russia. Local brands are cheaper, but clothes are sewn mainly for the domestic market. And this is a different type of figure from the European one (women of predominantly short stature, with narrow shoulders and a wide waist), and a peculiar design. Nevertheless, especially large shopping centers are always interesting to visit.
Tianhe Teemall Shopping Center is not just a store, it is a peculiar attraction, which is visited by up to 300 thousand tourists daily! Tianhe Teemall is located in the very center of the city, you can take the subway to Tiyu Xilu or Tianhe Sports Center South. Each floor of the center has its own focus, for example, the 7th is an outlet where Western brands are presented with discounts, the 6th floor is a food court, the 1st is a grocery supermarket, and there is also a floor for sporting goods. It also houses the large electronics market in Guangzhou. There are many Western and Asian brands, not only Chinese, but also Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese.
If the previous store is designed more for buyers with money, then those who want to save money go to Grandview Mall. There are more local budget brands and a selection of products for the whole family.
One of the most popular is China Plaza, a 9-story shopping mall featuring Chinese and international brands. There is a food court on the top floor. If shopping drags on, he will very much help out.
Guangzhou Nangfang has been open for a very long time and for many years remains one of the most popular in the city. The center is located on an area of āā120 thousand m 2 , here you can buy everything - from clothes and shoes to jewelry and antiques.
Shopping streets
Such streets are generally widespread not only in Asia, but also in Europe. And Guangzhou, as the shopping capital of China, could not do without entire shopping districts. As a rule, this is a long straight pedestrian street, free from traffic and built up exclusively by shopping centers, large and small shops with a wide variety of assortments. One of the largest is Beijing Road. This street is located in the old part of the city and is very popular among tourists. That is why prices here are higher than in other places. But a walk along Beijing Road is still worth it to see the flavor of a large Asian shopping city, buy souvenirs and dine at one of the local restaurants.
But buying clothes on this tourist street is not profitable. In order not to overpay, go to Shangxiajiu Street. This is also a pedestrian street where you can have a good time - buy everything you need at affordable prices and plunge into the culture and traditions of the city. For example, there are many good and even ancient restaurants where you can try the national Cantonese cuisine. Nearby there are many tourist markets, which are also very interesting, especially if you are not only focused on the wholesale purchase of Chinese goods.
Tourist markets
There are many tourists in Guangzhou, and many are interested not only in buying new clothes, furniture or electronics, but also in antiques and various interesting local specialties. If you are one of them, head to the largest Xisheng Antique & Artware Market in Guangzhou. There are many antique pieces of furniture and decor, ceramics, calligraphy kits, books. Here you can and should bargain.
Hualin Jade Street is a jade selling place in Guangzhou. Markets and shops sell stones and their products. Stay nearby - visit the Qingping Farm Products Market, the Herbal Medicine Market and the Tea Market.
Market shopping practice
Shopping in Guangzhou, especially if you are looking for something specific and at good prices, is not easy. Huge, simply amazing imagination, hundreds of markets and shopping centers, thousands of sellers will make even experienced shoppers bewildered. Add here the local flavor and traditions of Chinese trade with their noisy cries and calls of customers - and it will become clear why many resort to the help of professional assistants.
What are the main nuances to consider when planning a trip, for example, to the clothing market in Guangzhou:
- Do not hope to find a market or a shopping center where the entire collection of a brand will be presented to one seller. As a rule, they are all scattered in several places, and you will have to run around to find everything you need.
- Do not look at the labels to find out the composition or brand, any labels are sewn. Look only at the thing itself.
- You canāt photograph anything. Even if you want to take a photo for yourself, so as not to forget the model.
- There is a concept of factory directories, but itās really difficult to use them - they sell what is now. Tomorrow this may not be, but other positions will appear. Buy here and now if you are sure about the choice.
- Do not skimp on hiring an assistant or translator - he will bargain and suggest the best places for shopping.
- Do not look at the appearance of the store itself. Sometimes the best is sold in nondescript basements. For the Chinese, the entourage of the pavilion in the market is completely irrelevant, only the goods are important.