Shopping in China

The choice of souvenirs is huge, but many of them low quality. Chopsticks, beautiful porcelain, cups, for rolls it is possible to buy varnish caskets, the press and cases continually. Hangchow and Suzhou are famous for excellent tea and silk. The present antiques are on sale, as a rule, only in the state shops and cost much. At its purchase it is necessary to receive the permission to export at the seller.

In large state shops and food benches of the price fixed. In the markets it is necessary to bargain skilfully. Even if on the goods there is a price list is no more than the "reference point" specifying 10 times to cost of purchase. Sellers often straight off offer interested goods more cheaply and happen are rather importunate.

The state shops work without days off from 9:30 till, private — from 9:00 till, and quite often and even longer. The markets open usually at 7:00 (some — even at 4:00) and work to 10:00-12:00.

The overwhelming majority of "antiquities" in the markets — fakes, but will notice it only the knowing person: many things are made rather skilfully and look very gracefully.
At purchase of tea and loose products it is necessary to mean, that a weight in China — «цзинь», equal about a half a kilogramme, and the specified price corresponds to this weight.
In the big department stores goods acquisition is often accompanied by registration of a considerable quantity of papers and checks, therefore it is necessary to familiarise with rules of purchases in advance.
In Hong Kong of audio - video-and phototechnics is more favourable for buying in large shopping centres, leather bags and suitcases — in small specialised little shops, and clothes — on constant sales in shops Bossini, Baleno, Gordano or Crocodile.