Guangzhou: markets worth visiting

Everyone knows that China is famous for its markets and the abundance of various goods on them. Chinese Internet sites have become commonplace for a long time, but more and more people go to China to personally immerse themselves in the world of cheap shopping. Numerous forums and specialized shop assisters advise choosing not Beijing or Shanghai, namely Guangzhou - an industrial center in the south of the country.

Shopping in Guangzhou

This city is the capital of the province of Guangdong and the industrial heart of the country. Due to the fact that most of the light industry is concentrated in the city, trade in clothing, footwear, leather goods, furniture, textiles and other types of goods is carried out directly from under the weaving or sewing machine. In fact, Guangzhou is a city-market with huge shopping centers and even whole shopping streets and quarters. The same can be said of the entire province. Cities in Guangdong have different specifics - somewhere produce and sell furniture, somewhere lights, and in other cities it's good to go for shoes.

The opportunity to buy goods from the first hand, that is directly from the manufacturer, allows you to get the best prices and discounts. And the city attracts the opportunity to combine business with pleasure and to explore local attractions: ancient temples, modern buildings and most interesting natural objects.

Markets

The largest segment in retail and wholesale trade is in Guangzhou markets. There are a lot of them in the city, the number is counted in hundreds, and each occupies a considerable area. There are specialized, selling clothes, leather goods, textiles, electronics and the like. In order not to get lost in all this diversity, there are guidebooks and maps.

Since shopping in China is very popular among Russians, some retail and wholesale markets of Guangzhou are tailored for our taste and fashion, for example in Shimao the 4th (men's clothing) and the 5th (women's assortment) floors work specifically for buyers from Russia. Here they trade and replicas of famous brands, which is very popular with the Russian-speaking buyer.

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

"Ball"

This name is, perhaps, the largest and most famous market in the city. In fact, it is a whole complex of shopping centers and shops, uniting hundreds and hundreds of sellers of various goods in Guangzhou. On the map of the city you can see that the market is scattered over an area of several hundred square meters. It unites several shopping centers and many shops, and the entire space between them is filled with trays and pavilions. To come here, take the metro, orient yourself at the intersection of the blue and red branches and go to the Guangzhou Railway Station. Exit to the gate F and, after walking right about 100 meters, turn right right after "McDonald's" - you came to the market "Ball" in Guangzhou.

The market "White horse"

Guangzhou is famous for this most popular among the visitors of the clothing market. If you are the first time on a shopping tour in China and do not know where to go, come to the "White Horse". They sell clothes and shoes both at retail and wholesale, the prices are quite low, you can bargain. The truth is that it is difficult to do - people are incredibly many, sellers are constantly shouting something, calling to themselves, staying in a big stream is difficult, and the first walk is usually more like a tourist attraction. But on the upper floors of the market is much calmer, and next to the "White Horse" there are smaller markets that can be visited at the same time. There is also an offline representation of the popular in Russia market "Taobao", its production is also located in Guangzhou.

On the map of the city you can see that the "White Horse" is located very close to the "Ball". You can go by metro to Guangzhou railway station, there is also a railway station, so there is always a huge crowd at the station. In order not to get lost, keep heading for exit G.

Beneficial shopping in Guangzhou - markets or factories?

Many people who are just planning to go shopping in Guangzhou have a stereotype that the factories are still cheaper than in the market. On the one hand, this is so, and for wholesale buyers, special trips are organized directly to production. However, there is no show room here, and the maximum that will help make a choice is the catalog of goods.

But the current electronic catalogs are offered only by sellers with "Taobao", as well as a few factories supplying the goods only in bulk. This, as a rule, is not less than 200 pieces of one position. In addition, although the production of replicas and exists everywhere in China, formally it is illegal, therefore 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 by finding a seller with an interesting product for you, you can easily take a catalog from him and go straight to the factory where his goods are produced. Often the seller and the production are ready to sell only what is available. Chinese trade is somewhat chaotic: today they are sewing one thing, tomorrow is different, and buying only has what is available right now. Therefore, if you buy goods in retail or in small batches, it is better to go straight to the market.

Shopping centers

Large and very large shopping centers in Guangzhou are huge. They sell clothes, shoes, wedding dresses, coats and other outerwear, children's products of famous brands as well as Chinese factories. It is worth noting 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 are sewn mainly for the domestic market. And this is different from the European type of figure (women are mostly of low stature, with narrow shoulders and broad waist), and a peculiar design. Nevertheless, especially large shopping centers are always interesting to visit.

Shopping center Tianhe Teemall - not just a store, it's a kind of attraction, which is visited by up to 300 thousand tourists every day! Located in the heart of the city, Tianhe Teemall can be reached by metro to Tiyu Xilu or Tianhe Sports Center South. Each floor of the center has its own orientation, so, the 7th - outlet, where Western brands are presented with discounts, 6th floor - food court, 1-st grocery supermarket, there is also a floor of sporting goods. There is also a large electronics market in Guangzhou. There are many Western and Asian brands, not only Chinese, but also Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese.

If the previous store is designed more for customers with money, then in the Grandview Mall are those who want to save money. There are more local budget brands, and a selection of products for the whole family is presented.

One of the most popular - China Plaza, a 9-story shopping center, which features Chinese and international brands. On the top floor there is a food court. If shopping is delayed, it will help out very much.

Guangzhou Nangfang has been open for a long time and for many years remains one of the most popular in the city. The center is located on an area of 120 thousand m ² , you can buy everything from clothes and shoes to jewelry and antiques.

Shopping streets

Such streets are generally common not only in Asia, but also in Europe. And Guangzhou, as the shopping capital of China, did not do without whole shopping areas. This is usually a long straight pedestrian street, free from traffic and built up exclusively by shopping centers, large and small shops with a variety of assortments. One of the largest - Beijing Road. This street is in the old part of the city and is very popular with tourists. That is why prices are higher here than in other places. But a stroll along Beijing Road is still worth to see the color of the big shopping Asian 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 the Shangxiajiu street. This is also a pedestrian street where you can spend your 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 the national Cantonese cuisine. Nearby there are many tourist markets, also very interesting, especially if you are not only aimed at wholesale purchase of Chinese goods.

Tourist markets

In Guangzhou, a lot of tourists, and many are interested not only in buying new clothes, furniture or electronics, but also with antiques and various interesting local specialties. If you are one of them, go to the largest antiques market in Guangzhou, Xisheng Antique & Artware Market. There are many antique pieces of furniture and decor, ceramics, sets for calligraphy, books. Here you can and should bargain.

Hualin Jade Street is the place of sale of jade in Guangzhou. Markets and shops sell stones and products from them. Will be nearby - visit and market of farm products Qingping Farm Products Market, and also the market with medicinal herbs Herbal Medicine Market and the tea market.

Practice of shopping in the markets

To make purchases in Guangzhou, especially if you are looking for something specific and at good prices, is not easy. A huge, simply amazing imagination choice, hundreds of markets and shopping centers, thousands of sellers will make even experienced shop assistants lose their heads. Add here the local flavor and traditions of Chinese trade with their noisy cries and customer calls - 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:

• Do not expect to find a market or a shopping center, where the entire collection of a brand will be presented to one seller. As a rule, they are all scattered in several places, and they will have to run around to find everything they need.
• Do not look at the labels to find out the makeup or brand, the labels are sewn up completely any. Look only at the thing itself.
• You can not take photographs. Even if you want to make a photo for yourself, so as not to forget the model.
• There is a concept of factory directories, but they are really difficult to use - they sell what is 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 skimp on hiring an assistant or an interpreter - he will bargain and tell you the best places for shopping.
• Do not look at the appearance of the store itself. Sometimes the best sell and in plain-looking cellars. For Chinese, the entourage of the pavilion in the market does not matter at all, only the goods are important.