Shopping in China is great fun, interesting and challenging. Here
is some advice for smart shoppers:
- Shops
in China usually are open from 9:00am to 7:00pm, although others
until 9:00pm. 'Night Market' may remain open until midnight
or even all night during weekdays. However, times vary by season:
hours are longer in summer and shorter in winter.
- Credit Cards including Master Card, Visa, American Express,
JCB, Diners Club, Million, Federal, all are acceptable in most
large Chinese department stores. However, cash is more prevalent
in China. Be sure to carry sufficient small notes to facilitate
buying from street vendors so they won't be required to make
change for large notes.
- Bargaining is the norm, especially in the market or small
shops. Try to bargain whenever you shop. Be sure to bring a
calculator to help you with conversion rates. If you make a
counter offer, you should be prepared to buy the item if your
offer is accepted.
- Carefully
check the quality of your purchases to ensure there are no flaws
and to distinguish genuine from fake.
- Always ask for receipt. It is a valid voucher if you need
to return purchases. Furthermore, China customs sometimes will
require receipts to be shown when you leave China.
- Special local products are available, especially antiques,
jade, pearls, paintings and calligraphy among others. You should
be careful as to their authenticity. High value items should
be bought in regular legal shops.
- Guard against theft. Never show your wallet or big bills in
the public. Keep some change available in your pocket to take
out.
- Be aware that some goods are not allowed to be exported from
China, including jade carvings, cultural relics, etc. Before
your purchase, you must confirm whether it can be allowed to
pass the Chinese customs.
- Be cautious of forged notes when you are given change, expecially
where people are bustling about.
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