The best shopping districts to visit
Shopping is always fun in another country. The possibilities of tax free shopping, to quirky and unique products only found in the host country further sweetens the deal. So, with that being said, when you next visit China and are within stones throwaway, you may want to check out some of what’s on offer at the shopping districts described below.
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
If you want your money to really go the distance, then you have come to the wrong place. Otherwise, behold Causeway Bay the pinnacle shopping experience in all of Asia. Whatever you want you can be sure you will find, just be prepared to part with substantial sums of money.
Once you have finished shopping, you can tour the local food stalls, or treat yourself to some Michelin starred food.
Wanfujing Street, Beijing
A distinction between wanfujing street and many of the other shopping districts/streets is that it is home to dozens of Chinese painting stores. So if you aren’t interested in buying much merchandise, you could browse the collection of paintings on offer and maybe bring back a piece. You never know, the artist may become the next banksy. Or you could just browse the many stores on offer and tour the evening food market to get your fill from a long day of shopping.
Chunxi Road, Chengdu
Chunxi road is a bustling district filled with people shopping for the latest fashion trends and buying the latest brands. As such, there are many stores, boutiques, supermarkets, malls to try to part you with your presumed hard earnt money. If you have any money left, you could peruse the many cafés and restaurants that are on offer, or simply wander the streets and try some of the local dishes on offer.
Barkhor Street, Lhasa
Barkhour street was once a holy road used as a circuit by the Tibetans. However, things have changed drastically, and now the area has become a shopping district with a very Tibetan feel. Even though it isn’t used in a religious way, its still a great place to explore the mysterious of this street and pick up a few Tibetan souvenirs along the way.
Ximending, Taipei
Ximending, is a great weekend getaway and a great place to get your Taiwanese and Japanese subculture fix. It is great place to browse Taiwanese fashion brands, and once you are done with shopping you can head out to a theatre or tea house to unwind.
At night you can have some fun and go to the many clubs or pubs around the district, or explore the local cuisine and see what tantalises your tastebuds.
Jiefangbei, Chongqing
Both a commercial and historic district. Jiefangbei boasts the largest commercial shopping centres, housing over 3,000 stores and shops selling all sorts of goods, two dozen malls and a dozen hotels along this district. That’s whole lot of shopping, and I would be surprised if you didn’t find what you were looking for here.
Regardless of all the shopping present, there is stele, a wooden slab named the ‘Soul Castle’, that resides at the centre of the square. It was built to commemorate Dr Sun Yat Sen, who was one of the founders of modern China. It would be nice break from all that shopping to visit the stele and learn a little about the making of modern China.
Jianghan Street, Wuhan
Coined as Little Hong Kong in a previous life, Jianghan street is an immaculate street surrounded by beautiful European architecture, and lively performances. Many customers frequent this street, which houses more than 400 stores. Once done you can indulge yourself in some of delicious foods on offer, or you could forgo both shopping and eating and just tour the area and admiring it as a 20th century museum.
Beijing Road, Guangzhou
Beijing Road is probably the oldest shopping district in world, with a history over 2,000 years long. The district is packed full of shops selling all kind of wares which range from: jewellery, toys, shoes, drinks etc. however, the key selling point is the international food exhibition centre. Here you can sample food from all over the world. A welcome treat after all of that walking and bartering which would have surely built up an appetite.
Central Avenue, Harbin
Central Avenue in Harbin is the longest pedestrian street in Asia, which was built, surprisingly, by the Russians. Russian influence is still present along these streets, with many Russian products being sold here and buildings and malls still having Russian influence.
A great shopping street to walk down, do some shopping and explore the unique history this street/town has to offer.
