12 Best Shopping in Beijing to Shanghai, China

On the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, brocades are lavishly embroidered textiles unique to Nanjing and once used to make robes worn by emperors. The Brocade Research Institute is part-retail-outlet-part-workshop, where traditional brocades are still being made using huge, old-fashioned looms operated by two people at a time. The gift shop sells beautiful examples of the fabric. A fantastic museum has fashion shows and high-tech exhibits, including holographic displays and 360-degree film screenings.

In the courtyard of the Confucian Temple, the Chaotian Gong Antique Market has an array of curios, from genuine antiques to fakes of varying quality. A vendor's opening price can border on the ludicrous, especially with foreign customers, but some good-natured bargaining can yield success. The market is liveliest on weekend mornings.

Northwest of the Drum Tower, the Fabric Market sells silks, linens, and traditional cottons. Bargaining is necessary, but the prices are reasonable. Expect to pay Y50 to Y60 per meter of silk. Many vendors can also arrange tailoring.

This subterranean retail center contains literally hundreds of tiny shops all lit with colorful neon and hawking everything from bargain women's clothing and accessories to gems, jewelry, and beauty treatments like manicures and massages. A unique shopping experience (for the girls), it's great people-watching, too. Accessible directly from Xinjiekou subway station.

This traditional family-run drug store has been operating here for more than 70 years. Inside, arcane displays and cabinets are stocked with thousands of herbs and other, more exotic items like antler and dried seahorses—all used to concoct Chinese medicines. Look for the English-speaking counter for foreign customers. This northern stretch of Zhongshan Lu is good for antiques, jade-carving, and other traditional businesses.

The city's largest antiques shop is the Qingdao Arts and Crafts Store, with four floors of porcelain, scroll paintings, silk, gold, jade, and other stones.

When shopping along Lao Jie, the best offerings are traditional calligraphy ink and paper. The best ink stones are sold at Sanbai Yanzhai.

This cluster of small antiques shops is huddled around an attractive courtyard. Jade, jewelry, and regional antiques are beautifully displayed; expect to bargain for prices.

Pick up fine examples of hand-embroidered silk as well as Suzhou double-sided embroidery at this showroom and workshop. Custom pieces can be ordered and shipped internationally.

Since 1956, the Suzhou Cultural Relics Store has been selling antiques, calligraphy, jades, and other items. Prepare to bargain on price.

Near the North Pagoda, the well-stocked Suzhou Silk Museum Shop is the main reason folks come to the Silk Musuem.

A lively mix of clothing, footwear, household goods, and souvenir tea sets can be found at this bustling street market walking distance from the Tsingtao Beer Museum.