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Shopping in China

China is wonderful place for shopping, and bear some tips in mind, you will have a merrier shopping trip.

-It's not advised to buy everything at the beginning of your trip or in one city. China is a vast country, famous for lots of specialities, but owned by different cities. For example, Beijing is a great place to buy cloisonné, fresh water pearls and cashmere sweaters, and Xi'an is famous for replicas of the Terra Cotta soldiers, Tangsancai ( Tang Dynasty hand painted China), antique furniture and etc. Jade is a good choice for shopping in Shanghai, while Longjing tea and silk for Hanghzou, silk for Suzhou, mounted butterflies, pure tea and Dali Batik for Yunnan, scroll paintings and China Southern Sea pearls for Guilin, Thang-ka for Tibet.

-It's ok to say NO while shopping
Tour guide will offer you shopping opportunities as you may want to buy some souvenirs or specialities. If you do not want to shop, please do say so. Also, please do not feel embarrassed to say no the shop attendants when they are so kind to you.

-It's ok to ask for discount
You may not accept the first-offered rate . Try to ask if you could have a better discount before you pay the bill except for department stores, large shopping malls.

-When purchasing antiques, keep all receipts, certificates and official documents as all antiques should be officially certified to be exported legally. And do NOT buy any antiques that date before 1795 AD as they are forbidden for sale and export. Meanwhile, a certificate for Relics Export issued by the regional Cultural Relics Bureau and a small red seal are required for those antiques dated between 1796 and 1949 AD.

-Are they fake?
It's overwhelming to find that LV bags, Chanel bracelets and other international brands are almost everywhere to be purchased. Be aware when you are buying world-famous items at incredibly low rates, they may be fake.