Shop Till You Drop: Guangzhou’s Stores, Malls and MarketsYou’d expect a major global city like Guangzhou to have world-class shopping malls and stores, and you will not be disappointed. So whether you’re a Carrie Bradshaw hunting for the latest new shoes’ style, or looking for local souvenirs for family, let us take you on a tour of some of the city’s finest shopping destinations. Beijing Road Perhaps the most famous is Beijing Road（北京路）. In the heart of Guangzhou in the Yuexiu district, this thoroughfare is lined with stores, malls and restaurants. It's always packed with shoppers and tourists, but is pedestrianized to make your visit more comfortable. You'll find all the big-name international brands there, though as with any central shopping district, you may not find many bargains.
Photo: Sohu Shangxiajiu
For lower prices, and more chance to haggle, head west to Shangxiajiu（上下九）This is another pedestrianized street, but here the emphasis is on local brands. It’s busy,noisy, and stays open late under bright lights. It’s popular with locals rather than tourists, and with plenty of street food to fuel your shop, you might feel it’s a more authentic Cantonese experience than the gloss of Beijing Road. Photo: Sohu Nanfang Mansion If you’re looking for cheap electronics, or if you’re more interested in architectural history than shopping, then it’s worth visiting the Nanfang Mansion （南方大厦）on the waterfront in Liwan district. When it opened in 1918 it was the first reinforced concrete high rise building in Guangzhou, and housed not only a department store, but a hotel, restaurant and amusement arcade. Nowadays it’s a market crammed with tech stalls, but the building is a remarkable survival from the pre-war period.
Photo: gzass Guangzhou Friendship Store History fans might also want to take a trip to the Guangzhou Friendship Store （广州友谊商店） on Huanshi East Road. In the early days of the Republic it was the city’s sole department store selling imported goods. Friendship Stores were run by the state, and only officials, diplomats and foreignerswere allowed to shop there. Today it’s a thriving state-owned business with three other branches in Guangzhou.
Photo: Sohu Other Shopping Malls The vast Teemall（天河城）, on Tianhe Road, demonstrates how far China has come from those days. Sprawling across 160,000 square meters over seven floors,it’s a favorite hangout for young people, and nearby Guangzhou’s biggest bookstore. Rivalling it for sheer size is China Plaza（中华广场） on Zhongshansan Road,which boasts nine floors. However, if you want to go more upmarket, Taikoo Hui (太古汇） is the very place, with its swirling space age architecture and luxury brands.It can be found in Tianhe, not far from Teemall, but it’s as heavy on the pocket as it is easy on the eye. Photo: ifeng, Sohu Wholesale Markets For clothing bargains, you need to go where the locals go, to the wholesale markets around Guangzhou Railway Station （站西服装批发）. The more you buy, the lower the price, so be prepared to stock up. You can also find cheap cosmetics at the wonderfully named Beauty Exchange Center（美博城） on Guangyuan west Road.It’s not all about brands and bulk though. Nothing makes a better souvenir than an object of beauty made by local craftspeople using traditional materials and techniques. At the Hualin Jade Market （华林玉器市场） you can pick up handmade jewelry, though be prepared to haggle hard for the best price. Wende Road （文德路）is where to go for calligraphy supplies, paintings and wall hangings, and the Fangcun Tea Market （芳村茶叶市场） is as the name suggests, a place to find rare and exotic teas, as well as elegant pots and cups in which to serve it. Photo: 163, Baidu
Once you’re done shopping, you can take the weight off your feet and enjoy a drink and a snack at one of the countless cafes, restaurants and bars in Guangzhou. All good shopping trips should end with relaxing, reveling in your purchases and watching the world go by！ END |
