China is a buyer's market if you know the categories. Here is a practical shopping list by city — what is genuinely cheap, what makes a great gift, and what to skip.
Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei is the world's densest electronics market: phones, accessories, audio, drones, components. Prices beat Western retail, but buy from reputable stalls, check warranty, and keep receipts for the tax refund.
Hangzhou is the home of silk and Longjing (Dragon Well) tea. Silk scarves, qipao fabric and sealed tea tins are light, high-value gifts that survive the trip and qualify for refund.
Yiwu is the planet's wholesale market: accessories, gifts, hardware, toys. Best if you are buying in volume; retail visitors can still grab sample quantities at low prices.
Chengdu delivers spicy sauces, tea, bamboo crafts and panda merch. Great for edible and cute gifts that ship home well.
Most of the above are eligible for the departure tax refund if bought at participating stores above the ¥200 threshold. Build your list around the entry city you land in.
Electronics in Shenzhen, silk and tea in Hangzhou, wholesale goods in Yiwu, and gifts/souvenirs in Chengdu. Pearls, jade, tea and cosmetics are classic nationwide buys.
For electronics, textiles and wholesale, yes — often well below Western retail. Buy from reputable stores, keep receipts, and use the tax refund to push value further.
Avoid unverified luxury/fakes outside official counters, and anything you cannot get a receipt for (you need it for the refund). Skip bulky items that blow your baggage allowance.
Yes — if bought at participating tax-refund stores above the ¥200 single-store daily threshold. Keep the form and goods for airport verification.
Policy numbers change. Before you book, confirm the current eligible-country lists, ports and participating tax-refund stores on the official English sources below.