Taobao is the Amazon of China and accepts Visa/Mastercard through Alipay — bargain-basement prices if you can wait a week for shipping. In person, every mall has tax-refund counters for tourists spending over 500 RMB in a day.
Shopping in China splits into three worlds: fixed-price stores (malls, supermarkets, convenience stores), bargaining venues (markets and stalls), and apps. Know which world you're in, and everything else — paying, haggling, tax refunds — falls into place.
01 Cash vs. Mobile Pay
One line: mobile pay wins almost everywhere, but keep a few hundred RMB of cash as backup.
China is one of the most cashless societies on earth. In 2024, over 85% of retail transactions are mobile. Here's the honest picture:
- Mobile pay (Alipay/WeChat) works at 99% of places — from luxury malls to street vendors
- Cash (RMB) is still legally accepted everywhere — vendors cannot refuse it
- Some wet markets, very small stalls, and elderly vendors prefer cash
- ATMs are everywhere — UnionPay and Visa/Mastercard withdrawal works at most bank ATMs
- Credit cards (Visa/MC) are accepted at international hotels, malls, and department stores but often not at smaller shops
Carry ¥200–500 in Cash as Backup
Mobile pay covers most situations, but wet markets, remote areas, and very small stalls sometimes don't have QR codes. Keep a few hundred RMB in your wallet for these moments — and for tipping at some high-end hotels.
Scan-to-Pay walkthrough: unlock your phone and open Alipay. On the home screen you'll see a large 付款 (Pay) button. Tap it to show your payment QR code. Alternatively use WeChat, tap the menu, then 收付款 (Pay/Collect).
02 Malls vs Markets vs Apps
One line: malls for brands and comfort, markets for freshness and bargaining fun, apps for the lowest prices.
| Where | Examples | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 超市 (Supermarket) | Carrefour, Walmart, RT-Mart, Hema | Fixed prices, scan-to-pay everywhere | Large selection. Great for snacks, drinks, household items. |
| 便利店 (Convenience Store) | FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Lawson, CityShop | Fixed prices, mobile pay accepted | Open 24/7. Hot food (steamed buns, rice dishes), drinks, toiletries, phone charging cables. |
| 商场 (Shopping Mall) | SKP, IFC Mall, Joy City, Mixc | Fixed prices | International brands alongside Chinese brands. Air-conditioned. Great for clothes, electronics, food courts. |
| 菜市场 (Wet Market) | Any local neighborhood market | Bargaining OK. Cash or mobile pay | Fresh produce, meat, fish. Early morning is freshest. Amazing for photos too. |
| 小摊 (Street Stall / Market) | Night markets, fabric markets, electronics markets | Bargaining expected and fun. Start at 30–40% of asking price | Cash acceptable but mobile pay increasingly common. |
| 电子城 (Electronics Market) | Huaqiangbei (Shenzhen), Zhongguancun (Beijing) | Wholesale prices. Bargain hard | Cables, phones, components, gadgets. Inspect items before paying. |
| Apps (Taobao etc.) | Taobao, JD, Pinduoduo | Bargain-basement prices | Amazon of China; accepts Visa/Mastercard through Alipay, if you can wait a week for shipping. |
03 Reading Price Tags & Discount Signs
One line: 7折 means you pay 70% — the lower the number, the bigger the discount.
Chinese stores use a few common phrases for promotions. Here's your cheat sheet:
| Sign | Meaning | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 打折 | Discount | 7折 = 70% of price (30% off). Lower number = bigger discount. |
| 买一送一 | Buy One Get One | Exactly like it sounds. Very common at supermarkets. |
| 特价 | Special Price | Limited-time deal. Look for red price tags. |
| 限时优惠 | Limited Time Offer | Sale ends soon. Usually displayed with a countdown. |
| 全场X折 | Everything X% off | Storewide sale. 全场8折 = 20% off everything. |
| 清仓 | Clearance | End-of-season stock being cleared. Best deals here. |
Markets weigh produce in 斤 (500 g) and clothing uses Chinese sizes — convert both on the spot:
04 Bargaining: When to Haggle, When Not To
One line: haggle at markets and stalls; never at malls, supermarkets, or restaurants.
Bargaining is part of the culture in some settings but a social faux pas in others:
| Bargaining Expected | Don't Bargain Here |
|---|---|
| Night markets & tourist markets | Supermarkets & convenience stores |
| Wet markets (produce & meat) | Shopping malls & department stores |
| Electronics markets (Huaqiangbei) | Restaurants & cafes |
| Street vendors & small stalls | Taxi meters & Didi |
| Fabric & tailoring shops | Government-run shops |
Ask the price
Point at the item and ask 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián). Let the vendor name the first number.
Counter low
Offer 40% of the asking price. Stay friendly — bargaining is expected and fun at markets and stalls.
Meet in the middle
Work toward 60–70% of the original ask. Walking away slowly often earns a final better offer.
Pay
Cash is acceptable but mobile pay is increasingly common at stalls. Inspect items before paying, especially electronics.
Not sure what a fair price is? Run the numbers first:
05 VAT Refund & Convenience Store Hacks
One line: reclaim ~9% VAT on purchases of ¥500+, and treat convenience stores as your all-purpose toolkit.
FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson in China are far better stocked than their Western counterparts. Here's what to use them for:
- Hot food — steamed buns (包子), rice boxes (便当), hot dogs on a stick, tea eggs
- Phone charging cables — cheap but functional for emergencies
- ATMs — most have China UnionPay and sometimes Visa/MC ATMs inside
- Printing — some locations have self-service printing (useful for visa/hotel requirements)
- Toiletries — toothbrush, razor, shower gel, painkillers, basic medicine
- Seat heating — in winter, sit in a convenience store for 10 min to warm up
06 Shipping Purchases Home
One line: shipping from China is cheap — China Post for budget, SF Express for speed.
Bought too much to fit in your luggage? Shipping from China is very cheap:
- China Post (中国邮政) — cheapest option, takes 2–6 weeks to most countries
- SF Express (顺丰) — faster (5–10 days), slightly more expensive
- Most department stores can arrange shipping for large purchases
- Pack your receipts — customs in your home country may require them for declarations
You're Ready to Shop
With Alipay loaded, the phrase cards bookmarked, and your tax refund forms filled out, you'll navigate Chinese shopping better than most tourists who've been here for weeks. The scan-to-pay flow becomes second nature within a day.