Hangzhou Shopping — What to Buy and Where to Buy

Hangzhou is well known for its excellent silk, tea, and lotus root starch. Various shops, stores, supermarkets, and plazas crowd the commercial center. Recently, self-service supermarkets have appeared in the city. People can have a contemporary shopping experience, with developing technology.

Popular Local Souvenirs

Hangzhou Silk

Hangzhou silk

Hangzhou silk has a long history of more than 4,000 years, featuring gentle texture, gorgeous color and great variety. There are 14 kinds of silk produced in Hangzhou, including satin, spin, crepe, damask silk and silk fabric. Silk products include landscape paintings, cushions, curtains and clothing.

Recommended Places for Buying Silk Products

• Hangzhou Chinese Silk City 杭州中国丝绸城
  Address: No.217, Xinhua Road (新华路217号)
  Tel: 0571-8510 0192 / 8517 2821
• Hangzhou Siruibao Silk Shopping Center 杭州丝瑞宝丝绸购物中心
  Address: No.2, Baochu Road (宝俶路2号)
  Tel: 0571-8521 6223

Hangzhou Longjing Tea

Chinese tea

Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and flat appearance, and is usually regarded as a health elixir, popular throughout China.

Places for Buying Longjing Tea

• Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea Company Ltd
  Address: No.602, Qifeng Road, Hangzhou (杭州凤起路602号)
• Hangzhou Shifeng Tea Company Ltd
  Address: No.228, Yanan Road, Hangzhou (杭州延安路228号)

Xihu Silk Umbrellas

Umbrellas

Xihu silk umbrellas feature bright colors and exquisite appearance, with the "bone" made of bamboo. They can be used not only as ordinary umbrellas for sunshade, but also as ornaments to decorate your house. You can buy one in Hefang Street in Shangcheng District

Wangxingji Paper Fans 王星记扇子

The paper fans produced in Hangzhou have been famous in China since ancient times. The most famous three local products in Hangzhou are paper fans, silk and Longjing tea.

Wangxingji fans are the best-known brand of fan in Hangzhou. The history of the factory dates back to 1875. At that time, the fans were regarded as appropriate tribute for the imperial household.

Lan Yin Hua Bu (Blue Cloth with Design in White) 蓝印花布

This cloth is an ancient folk-printed fabric made by hand. The simple but elegant designs on the fabric mostly feature auspicious items, reflecting the unique folk culture in China. The dye is produced from the indigo plant.

Top 3 Shopping Places in Hangzhou

Hefang Ancient Street

Hefang Street 河坊街

Hefang Street is one of the most famous historic streets in Hangzhou, reflecting social features of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Taking a stroll along this street, you will be attracted by antique buildings and local crafts, such as silk parasols, brocades, renowned Zhang Xiaoquan scissors and Hangzhou fans.

Yan'an Road 延安路

This road is regarded as the most prosperous in Hangzhou. It runs from north to south for about 3,000 meters and has become Hangzhou's commercial center.

The road is home to the grand buildings of the Zhejiang People's Provincial Great Hall, Hangzhou Culture Center, Victory Theatre, International Mansion, Hangzhou Department Store, Hangzhou Grand Hotel, and Haifeng Western Restaurant.

Wulin Road 武林路

Wulin road is one of the most distinctive commercial streets in Hangzhou. It is known as female fashion street. There are about 1,000 shops along the road, most of which are selling women's wear in various styles and brands. There are many shops opened by local designers there.

Popular New Shopping Styles in Hangzhou

Self-Service Supermarkets

The first self-service supermarket operated by Alibaba opened in Hangzhou in 2017. This new style of shopping attracts many people.

You only need to scan your QR code on entering the supermarket. After shopping, you go to the exit. There is a "billing door". When you go through it, the accounting system will automatically recognize your goods and deduct the corresponding fees from your phone.

There are now many such self-service supermarkets in Hangzhou. They have become a major feature of the city. This is a new experience and a good way to learn more about Hangzhou.

Online Supermarkets

Another new style of shopping is also organized by Alibaba: T-mall Online Supermarket. Snacks, drinks, appliances, kitchenware, and daily necessities are all available at T-mall Supermarket.

Your order will normally be delivered in 3 days. If you are living in some nearby cities, such as Shanghai or Hangzhou, it can be delivered the next day!

Alibaba has also launched fresh food supermarkets operating both online and offline. These are mostly located in residential areas. They provide fresh ingredients, semi-finished food and finished food.

You can use an app to order online. It only takes half an hour to receive delivery. Alternatively, you can go to the offline supermarket. There they can cook for you with your ingredients.

To experience these new shopping styles you need to download some apps and know how to operate them. We know this may be difficult for foreign tourists. We will, however, arrange all this for you. You can have a good, modern shopping experience with the help of your guide.

Tour Hangzhou with China Highlights

Tour Hangzhou with China Highlights

Our tours are private. You are the one who controls the pace; if you would like to spend more or less time in some local markets, just let your guide know.

Evenings are your free time, and you can do some shopping on your own. Your guide will be glad to give you recommendations or assistance if you need help.

Here are our most popular Hangzhou tours, for your reference:

• 2-Day Hangzhou Highlights and Grand Canal Heritage Tour: Visit a Dragon Well tea plantation, and explore the Grand Canal and West Lake on a cruise.
• 5-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Watertown Culture Tour: This tour highlights the best of the three most important cities in the Yangtze Delta.

Are you interested in new styles of shopping and want to know more about them? Please contact us and tell us your interests and ideas. We shall be happy to create an interesting tour experience for you.