Guangzhou Shopping — Best Things to Buy and How to Buy Them

Shopping street in Guangzhou

Guangdong Province is China's center for commodities manufacturing. In Guangzhou, inexpensive electronics, clothing, computers, and thousands of other products are on sale in the huge markets and thousands of shops.

In Guangzhou, you will find everything you are interested in, from bustling wholesale markets to luxury malls and from handicraft souvenirs to famous brands of clothing. Here are our suggestions for the best shopping ideas and places in Guangzhou.

Best Things to Buy in Guangzhou

Guangzhou is one of China’s manufacturing centers where you can find various goods at an attractive quality and price. Here are some of the items you can buy in Guangzhou.

Clothes and Shoes

Enjoy a hight shopping in Guangzhou

China makes more clothes and shoes than any other country.

If you are seeking some fashionable clothing and shoes at reasonable prices, it is a good idea to spend some time in a Guangzhou shopping mall or wholesale market.

Electronic Appliances

Guangzhou has a rising electronics industry. You can try to find audiovisual products, household appliances, and communication equipment in a specialized market.

Haiyin Square is a big market for electronics. Electronic devices and components can also be found in numerous shops and stores along Jiefang Middle Road, Zhongshan 6th Road, and the nearby Huifu West Road.

Chinese Tea

Chinese tea

The selection, range of types, and quality of Chinese tea is the best in the world. In Guangzhou, you can pick up a stash of good quality tea, at comparably low prices, to enjoy at home.

The Nanfang Tea Market near Fangcun metro stop might be one of the most complete markets in China for famous teas, tea sets, and tea artware. The market includes over 300 shops.

Jade Sculpture

For some reason, Chinese have always loved jade items from burial clothing for emperors to pendants that many Chinese now wear. Jade ornaments include jade bracelets, jade rings, and jade earrings. Decorations people might want to decorate their houses or offices with include jade paperweights, figurines, and vases.

Hualin Jade Street near Changshou Road has hundreds of small shops selling jade items.

Cantonese Embroidery and Porcelain

Cantonese embroidery and porcelain are well-known for their bright colors, vivid patterns, and creative ideas.

Where to Shop in Guangzhou

Retail Shopping Streets

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street

Most tourists shopping for personal needs will prefer shopping streets designed for tourist enjoyment.

Beijing Road is the most popular shopping street among foreigners listed #1 on TripAdvisor for places to shop. It is brightly lit with many restaurants and well-designed stores. It is very easy to get to by taking the metro to the Gongyuanqian Station.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street collects hundreds of stores along this 1,218-meter street. The whole area has 10 adjacent shopping streets. The main goods are cloth, shoes and tourist items. Also sample some street snacks here.

Luxury Malls

TEEMALL

The best shopping and sightseeing places in Guangzhou are in Zhujiang New Town, which is in Tianhe District. The Guangdong Museum, very tall buildings with observatories, and ritzy malls make the area a popular place for local people and a tourist highlight. The good transportation makes visiting convenient.

The following luxury malls in Zhujiang New Town and other parts of Tianhe District are worth a visit:

TEEMALL
Grandview Plaza
Taikoo Hui
Mall of the World
Fashion Tianhe Plaza

Wholesale Markets

Wholesale market in Guangzhou

Guangzhou’s clothes wholesale business is very vibrant, and there are many clothing wholesale markets in Guangzhou. The most famous are around Guangzhou Railway Station:

Baima Garment Market is the most popular market and has the highest turnover of high-end clothing and fashion items (it is located opposite Guangzhou Railway Station).
Liuhua Clothing Wholesale Market is near Guangzhou Railway Station and is adjacent to the Provincial Bus Station.

Flea Markets

In Guangzhou, there are flea markets opening at about 3 to 4am and closing before daylight. The goods sold in the markets are mostly old objects, recycled scraps, and fakes. Although you are not recommended to buy anything, the markets are wonderful places to experience another aspect of the city.

If you want to explore the unique civil culture of the city and don’t mind getting up early, you can visit the flea markets on Haizhu Bridge or Guangta Road with a local guide.

Places to Shop in Guangzhou Airport

Duty-Free Shops

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

At present, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has duty-free shops in both T1 and T2. Duty-free goods include famous brand cosmetics, handbags, red wine, and more.

Characteristic Shops

Besides the duty-free shops, there are various shops selling goods that are characteristic of Guangzhou, such as local porcelain, embroidery, inkstones, and other folk handicrafts.

Some shops offer Guangzhou cultural experiences for travelers’ layover periods. If you have 1 hour to spare in the airport, you can experience a folk handicraft, such as inscription rubbing, or you can buy a customized Chinese seal.

Nearby Shopping Destinations

Guangzhou is only 106 kilometers (65 miles) from Shenzhen. Click to enlarge the map

Due to the rapid development of high-speed railway in China, it is possible to take a day trip to Shenzhen or Hong Kong, which are awesome places for shopping. Depending on the railway line, you can reach Shenzhen in about 30 minutes to 1½ hours or you can reach Hong Kong in about 1 hour.