Guangzhou: markets to visit

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

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 go to China to personally immerse themselves in the world of cheap shopping. Numerous forums and specialized shop helpers advise choosing not Beijing or Shanghai, but 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, clothing, footwear, leather goods, furniture, textiles and other types of goods are traded here directly from under the weaving or sewing machine. In fact, Guangzhou is a market city with huge shopping centers and even entire shopping streets and quarters. The same can be said about the whole province. Cities in Guangdong have different specifics - they produce and sell furniture somewhere, lamps somewhere, and it’s good to go to other cities for shoes.

The opportunity 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 explorelocal attractions: ancient temples, modern buildings and interesting natural objects.

Markets

Guangzhou markets are the largest retail and wholesale segment. There are a huge number of them in the city, the number is in the hundreds, and each occupies a considerable area. There are specialized ones selling clothes, 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 retail and wholesale markets in Guangzhou, for example, in Shimao, 4th (men's clothing) and 5th (women's assortment) floors, are specially adjusted to our taste and fashion work especially for buyers from Russia. Replicas of well-known brands are also sold here, which is very popular with Russian-speaking buyers.

But the most famous markets in Guangzhou are “White Horse” and “Ball”, we will tell you more about them.

“Balloon”

This is the name of perhaps the largest and most famous market in the city. In fact, this is a whole complex of shopping centers and shops, bringing together hundreds and hundreds of sellers of a wide variety of goods in Guangzhou. The map of the city shows that the market is scattered over an area of several hundred square meters. It combines several shopping centers and many shops, and all the space between them is filled with stalls and pavilions. To come here, take the subway, focus on the intersection of the blue and red lines, and get off at Guangzhou Railway Stationstation. Exit Gate F and after going straight for about 100 meters, turn right just behind McDonald's - you have arrived at Sharik Market in Guangzhou.

White Horse Market

Guangzhou is famous for this most popular clothing market among visitors. If you are on a shopping tour in China for the first time and do not know where to go, come to the White Horse. Here they sell clothes and shoes both retail and wholesale, the prices are quite low, you can bargain. True, it is difficult to do this - there are an incredibly large number of people, sellers are constantly shouting something, inviting you to come to them, it is difficult to stop in a large stream, and the first walk is usually more like a tourist attraction. But the upper floors of the market are much quieter, and next to the White Horse there are smaller markets that you can visit at the same time. There is also an offline representative office of the Taobao market, popular in Russia, and its production facilities are also located in Guangzhou.

On the city map you can see that the “White Horse” is located very close to the “Sharik”. You can take the subway to the Guangzhou railway station, the railway station is also located here, so there is always a huge crowd of people at the station. In order not to get lost, keep heading for exit G.

Good shopping in Guangzhou - markets or factories?

Many who are just going shopping in Guangzhou have a stereotype that factories are still cheaper than the market. On the one hand, this is true, and special trips are organized for wholesale buyers directly toproduction. However, there is no showroom here, and the maximum that will help you make a choice is a product catalog.

But only sellers from Taobao, as well as a few factories that supply goods only in bulk, offer valid electronic catalogs. This is usually at least 200 pieces of one item. In addition, although the production of replicas exists everywhere in China, it is technically illegal, so not every intermediary is ready to take you to the outskirts of the city and bargain for your benefit.

It would be a mistake to think that, having found a seller with a product that interests you, you can easily take a catalog from him and go straight to the factory where his product is made. Often the seller and production are only willing to sell what is in stock. Chinese trade is somewhat chaotic: today they sew one thing, tomorrow another, and you have to buy only what is in stock right now. Therefore, if you are buying goods at retail or in small quantities, it is better to go straight to the market.

Shopping malls

There are a lot of large and very large shopping centers in Guangzhou. They sell clothes, shoes, wedding dresses, fur coats and other outerwear, children's goods of both well-known world brands and their own production by Chinese factories. It should be noted that the prices for 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 in them are sewn mainly for the domestic market. And this is a different type of figure from the European one (womenmostly short in stature, with narrow shoulders and a wide waist), and a peculiar design. However, especially large shopping malls are always interesting to visit.

Tianhe Teemall is not just a store, it is a kind of attraction, which is visited by up to 300 thousand tourists daily! Tianhe Teemall is located in the heart of the city, you can take the subway to Tiyu Xilu or Tianhe Sports Center South stations. Each floor of the center has its own focus, for example, the 7th floor is an outlet where Western brands are presented with discounts, the 6th floor is a food court, the 1st floor is a grocery supermarket, there is also a floor of sporting goods. It also hosts a large electronics market in Guangzhou. There are many Western and Asian brands here, 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. It has more local budget brands and a selection of products for the whole family.

One of the most popular is China Plaza, a 9-story mall that houses Chinese and international brands. There is a food court on the top floor. If shopping is delayed, it will help a lot.

Guangzhou Nangfang has been open for a very long time and has been one of the most popular in the city for many years. The center is located on an area of 120 thousand m22, where you can buy everything from clothes and shoes to jewelry and antiques.

Shopping streets

Such streetsare generally distributed not only in Asia, but also in Europe. And Guangzhou, as the shopping capital of China, could not do without entire shopping districts. It is, as a rule, a long straight pedestrian street, free from car traffic and built up exclusively with shopping centers, large and small shops with a wide range of products. 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 the prices here are higher than in other places. But it's still worth walking along Beijing Road 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 unprofitable. 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 old restaurants where you can taste national Cantonese cuisine. There are many tourist markets nearby, which are also very interesting, especially if you are not focused only 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 speci alties. If you are one of them, head to Guangzhou's largest antiques market, Xisheng Antique&Artware Market. There are many oldfurniture and decor items, ceramics, calligraphy sets, books. Here you can and should bargain.

Hualin Jade Street is a jade selling place in Guangzhou. Markets and shops sell stones and products made from them. If you're nearby, check out Qingping Farm Products Market, Herbal Medicine Market and Tea Market.

Practice of shopping in the markets

Shopping in Guangzhou, especially if you are looking for something specific and at good prices, is not easy. A huge, simply amazing choice, hundreds of markets and shopping centers, thousands of sellers will make even experienced shoppers confused. Add to this the local color and traditions of Chinese trade with their noisy cries and inviting buyers - and it becomes 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:

• Don't expect to find a market or shopping center where the entire collection of any brand will be presented at one seller. As a rule, they are all scattered in several places, and you have to run around to find everything you need.
• Do not look at the labels to find out the composition or brand, labels are sewn on absolutely any. Look only at the thing itself.
• You can't take pictures of anything. Even if you want to take a photo for yourself, so as not to forget the model.
• There is a notion of factory directories, but in realitythey are difficult to use - they sell what they have now. Tomorrow this may not be, but there will be other positions. Buy here and now if you are sure of the choice.
• Do not be stingy to hire an assistant or a translator - he will bargain and suggest the best places for shopping.
• Don't look at the appearance of the store itself. Sometimes the best is sold in nondescript basements. For the Chinese, the entourage of the pavilion on the market does not play a role at all, only the product is important.