Shopping in Guilin

Shopping is an essential activity for locals and a highly desirable one for many visitors.

Food

You probably won't be shopping for food very often; you may if feeling unwell or to prepare for a picnic, or just for the experience. Chinese supermarkets carry a whole different range of products that can be fun to explore. Chinese street markets can be more shocking so just beware.

Clothes

All Chinese cities these days have lots of options for clothes shopping. Guilin is no exception and offers everything from cheap (a few yuan) day-to-day clothes for locals right the way through to boutiques. It is not yet on the list of the very top names but you will certainly be able to pick up some very fashionable items and accessories.

Books

Bookshops cater for the locals, usually with only a small section of English language books - and many of those aimed at students. That said, the lucrative trade in books for foreigners has not gone unnoticed and the selection of quality books in Guilin is well worth checking out.

Art

Artworks make fine gifts and truly memorable souvenirs. There are many galleries on or just off Binjiang Road and several on Zhengyang pedestrian street. Consider how you can get your purchase home before commencing the bargaining. You will need to take shipping and insurance costs into consideration when deciding what is reasonable.

Household

You may need household items to cover for things forgotten at home or to replace damaged items. You could also visit department stores and spcialist shops just out of interest. You will probably be amazed at prices though that does depend. Some things are priced at about the same as in the west.

Night Markets

Sections of both Zhongshan Road and Binjiang Road turn into night markets where you can find a mix of local products and souvenirs. Bargain hard. Asking prices are often way out of line. Aiming to pay two thirds of the asking price is no longer a good tactic. Sometimes you even need to aim for only ten percent of the first price.

One word of caution: the bustling crowds are an ideal place for pick-pockets to work in; as a foreigner you will stand out and make an obvious target. Keep all your valuables safe or, better still, leave them at your hotel.

Recommended Shops

Niko Niko Do

Guilin's premier department store, located at #37 Zhongshan Road.

This department store has just about everything including a food supermarket in the basement and a food hall on the top floor. The latter makes a great option for lunch.

Xinhua Bookshop

Located on Zhongshan Road (on the opposite side from Niko Niko Do, a bit to the south) is the standard bookshop. Guilin's Xinhua is extensive, covering several floors. Only the second (counting ground as the first floor) and third floors will be of interest to English readers.

The second floor has a useful travel section just to the left as you get off the escalator. There are many nice picture books here. Make sure you pick up a clean copy to buy.

The third floor has English language books on the wall behind you as you come up the escalators. Many are for students but you will also find a good selection of reading books. Check out the guides to specific aspects of Chinese culture that interest you. Many of these will not be available back home.

It is pleasant to wander other sections too. There are some very nice coffe table books if you have a particular interest such as architecture or art.