If you happen to be visiting China, you should definitely do some shopping there. China offers a wide assortment of local and international merchandise that can be purchased at roadside stalls, stores, boutiques, emporiums, shopping malls, supermarkets, and department stores. Many Chinese cities have specific market streets with each street featuring a particular type of goods. For example, one street may be lined with jewelry shops while another may have fashion boutiques and another electronics stores.
Learning Chinese can be of immense help in making a purchase and bargaining to get a good deal. But, whether you happen to be visiting China or not, the Chinese Mandarin language will come in handy. China is fast becoming an economically powerful nation, and proficiency in Chinese Mandarin may very well prove to be a career booster for you in the near future.
Here are some popular things that people visiting China like to buy:
- Tea
- Silk carpets
- Silk purses
- Silk coats
- Scroll paintings
- Thangka paintings
- Pearls
- Jade figurines
A couple of things about shopping in China:
- Chinese currency is called Ren Min Bi (RNB). The monetary unit is Yuan (also called kuai), and the fractional units are Jiao (also called Mao) and Fen.
- If you buy a Chinese antique, it must have an official certification to show that it can be legally taken out of the country. It will help to keep all purchase receipts and details to show if necessary.
- You must be aware of the import rules and regulations of your country, otherwise you may not be allowed to take home what you have bought.
