8 Best Things to Buy in China That Are Cheaper Than Abroad (2026 Guide)
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
Updated: May 7
Things to Buy in China: From Everyday Value Finds to Meaningful Local Gifts
If you’re visiting China, you’ll quickly notice the great deals on everyday products. From useful travel items to meaningful gifts, there are many things to buy in China that are affordable and fun to explore.
Want more unique gift ideas? Check out our Beijing Souvenir Guide (2026) or our Things to Do in Beijing (2026 Guide) for more experiences beyond shopping.
📱 Tech Products
Electronics are some of the best things to buy in China, especially for travelers. Brands like DJI, Xiaomi, and Huawei often sell their products at lower prices than abroad.
For instance, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 costs about ¥2,799 in China but around $499 in the U.S. This big difference makes tech gear a smart buy for visitors.
⚠️ Travel note: Recreational drone use is restricted in Beijing.
Not worth buying in China:
Apple products — similar prices, limited warranty abroad
Laptops — different keyboard layouts and warranty issues
Game consoles — potential region restrictions
🔌 Affordable Phone Accessories Everywhere
Small electronics and phone accessories are easy and cheap to buy in China. Online stores and local shops offer many styles at much lower prices than in other countries.
Common traveler purchases include:
Phone cases
Screen protectors
Charging cables
Power banks and fast chargers
Most online orders can be delivered to your hotel in 2–3 days, making last-minute buys simple during your trip.
👓 Glasses and Contact Lenses in Beijing
Eyewear is another surprisingly practical thing to buy in China, particularly in major cities like Beijing where prices are competitive and production is fast.
Many travelers choose to make a backup pair of glasses during their trip because the process is quick, affordable, and widely available.
Eyeglasses, Sunglasses
Where to Buy Glasses in Beijing: Panjiayuan Glasses Market 潘家园眼镜城
If you're in Beijing, Panjiayuan Glasses Market is a great spot for prescription glasses and sunglasses. It has many shops with options ranging from budget to premium styles. Many shops can make glasses quickly, which is helpful for travelers.
*Bargaining Tips: Bargaining is normal at Panjiayuan. Prices are often high at first, so negotiate down to about 50% of the asking price. Compare shops and don’t hesitate to walk away for a better deal.
Contact Lenses & Colored Contacts
For contact lenses, especially colored ones, Chinese brands offer good quality at low prices. Availability varies, so it’s best to order online in advance for delivery during your stay.
Recommended Chinese brands:
Recommended online platforms:
Most items can be delivered directly to your hotel, usually within 2–3 days.
Songmont 山下有松
Songmont medium Yore Hobo Bag Domestic Price: 2,555 RMB Overseas Price: $480
Songmont (山下有松) embodies the “new Chinese aesthetic.” Founded in 2013, it draws inspiration from nature—mountains, pine trees, and a slower lifestyle.
Their Medium Yore Hobo Bag costs around $480 abroad, but only RMB 2,555 (about $350) in China. This price difference makes buying local brands a smart choice. You get a high-quality, well-designed piece at a great value.
THE BEAST is a luxury lifestyle brand from Shanghai, founded in 2011. It began as a flower shop on Weibo, known for unique bouquets inspired by customers' love stories.
2012: Launched its website.
2013: Opened its first store in Shanghai.
Now: Offers floral arrangements, home decor, fragrance, bedding, loungewear, and gifts, with no overseas stores yet.
Style & Aesthetic
Romantic, poetic, and artistic.
Luxurious materials: silky fabrics, fine candles, delicate porcelain.
Elegant designs with soft palettes and strong storytelling.
Strongly recommednd the Panda collection!
Brand Overview: To Summer focuses on “Oriental botanical scents.” Founded in 2018, it aims to revive cultural heritage through fragrance.
Brand Mission: To Summer seeks to connect people with Eastern culture using scents tied to traditional imagery, like Kunlun Snow and Summer Palace Osmanthus.
Branch information:
1, Guozijian Flagship Store
Address: No. 23 Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 北京市东城区国子监街23号
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
2, Taikoo Li Store
Address: Chaoyang District, Sanlitun Road No. 19 Courtyard, Sanlitun Taikoo Li South, Level 1, S5-14. 朝阳区三里屯路19号院三里屯太古里南区L1层S5-14
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
3, Wangfujin Store
Address: B1 Floor, East Tower, WF Central, No. 269 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.. 东城区王府井大街269号王府中环东座B1层
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🍵 Chinese Tea
Chinese tea is one of the most authentic things to buy in China, especially for those interested in culture or wellness.
China has many century-old tea brands that locals trust, focusing on quality and tradition.
Recommended Chinese brands:
张一元 (Zhang Yiyuan) – Famous for jasmine tea, especially in Beijing
吴裕泰 (Wu Yutai) – Over 190 years old, strong reputation for green and jasmine tea
天福茗茶 (Tianfu Tea) – Widely available, good quality control
These brands usually have clear labeling, sealed packaging, and fixed pricing, which makes shopping much easier for visitors.
Why Chinese tea is worth buying:
Better value than overseas Chinese tea shops
Reliable quality from long-established brands
Lightweight, easy to carry, and great as gifts
If you’re not sure what to choose, jasmine tea, green tea, or oolong tea from these brands are safe and popular options.
When buying Chinese tea, you can feel comfortable purchasing from official tea brand stores, even those located in tourist areas. Prices are fixed and standardized across locations, so you won’t be overcharged, and quality is consistent.
For a taste of modern daily life, try Oriental Leaf (东方树叶). It’s the ultimate 'convenient' bottled tea—unsweetened, refreshing, and the perfect introduction to the authentic tea flavors locals grab every day
👕 Affordable Everyday Clothing
Basic clothing items are also convenient to buy in China. From malls to small shops, travelers can find inexpensive essentials, like socks, T-shirts, and underwear.
This allows visitors to pack lighter and easily replace forgotten items—one of the practical benefits of traveling in China.
Experience Chinese Culture Beyond Shopping
But for most travelers, what you bring back is only a small part of the experience - what you actually do in China matters much more.
Instead of only buying cultural items, many travelers now prefer creating their own handmade souvenirs in Beijing - from calligraphy and fan painting to traditional seal carving and Tai Chi in historic parks.