Bargain Shopping in Beijing, China
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Shopping in Beijing is an experience unlike any other.
As a self-proclaimed souvenir nut, I couldn’t wait to explore the markets in Beijing looking for kitschy trinkets and knockoff designer items. I loved shopping in New York’s Chinatown, so I couldn’t wait to experience shopping in actual China!
On my trip to Beijing, we visited Hongqiao Market, which is also known as the Pearl Market or Red Bridge Market. At Hongqiao Market, you can find almost anything: souvenir models of the Great Wall, knockoff designer handbags, electronics, and so much more. Make sure to check out the top floor for a huge selection of pearls, both real and fake!
Planning a trip to China? Read on for my best tips for bargain shopping in Beijing! If you’ll be visiting other parts of China, these tips will be helpful for you too.
PRO TIP: Before your trip, make sure to check out this list of the best apps for traveling in China.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Tip #1: Understand the exchange rate.
The renminbi is the official currency of China, and the yuan is the basic unit of currency. At the time of writing, 1 US Dollar is equal to 6.91 Chinese yuan. When shopping in China, it’s important to understand the relative exchange rate between the yuan and your home currency.
While shopping in Beijing’s Red Bridge Market, I overheard an elderly American woman agree to pay 200 yuan for a cheap, faux jade trinket. That’s nearly $29 in US Dollars! Had the woman understood the exchange rate and saw that she was getting a horrible deal, I doubt she would’ve agreed to this price, especially since the trinket was probably worth no more than a couple of bucks.
Understanding the exchange rate is the easiest way to keep yourself from getting ripped off while bargain shopping in Beijing, or elsewhere in China. To check the exchange rate from your currency to Chinese yuan (or any other currency), check out XE.com.
Tip #2: Know where you can (and can’t) haggle.
Even though bargaining is a staple in China, it doesn’t mean that you can go into any store and begin to haggle. (Wouldn’t that be awesome though, going into a luxury department store and haggling down the prices?!)
A good rule to follow is that if you see a physical price tag on the item, you probably can’t haggle. Markets, souvenir shops, and vendors outside of attractions like the Great Wall of China? Haggle away! Shopping malls are (unfortunately) a no-go.
Tip #3: Never pay the seller’s original asking price.
Sellers, especially in the markets, will always start by giving you an outrageous price. This is done with the hope that you won’t realize you’re getting ripped off (like the elderly lady who overpaid for a cheap trinket) and the expectation that you’ll bargain.
Generally, a third of the asking price is a fair price to pay. I recommend starting a little bit lower than this with your offer. For example, if you’re trying to buy something that has an initial asking price at 60 yuan, about 20-30 yuan should be a fair price for you to pay. Start your offer at 10 yuan and work your way up from there.
Tip #4: Remember that the “designer” bags are fakes.
If you’re shopping at a market or a souvenir shop and you see a designer handbag or accessory, remember that it’s a fake. It doesn’t matter how good they are at convincing you that it’s real: it’s still fake!
Does this mean you shouldn’t buy one? From an ethical perspective, maybe. But if you really really want that bag, go for it! But when negotiating the price, it’s still a fake made from low-quality materials. Don’t be the guy that paid $250 for a fake Louis Vuitton duffle bag (yes, that happened on my trip.). Even though it looks just like the real one, it’s still fake and isn’t worth that much money.
Tip #5: Walk away.
This tactic was the most successful one I used while bargain shopping in Beijing. If it seemed that the seller wouldn’t go any lower, and I wasn’t happy with their price, I would just walk away.
More times than not, the seller would chase me saying “wait, wait!” and either go down to my price or near it. If the seller doesn’t chase you, you’re probably not going to get a price any lower than what they were offering. You can use that to decide if you want to go back and pay their price or look elsewhere.
Want some more assistance with bargain shopping in Beijing? Consider a private shopping tour!
Have you been to Beijing or elsewhere in China? What are your best tips for bargain shopping?
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