THE ASIAN TRAVELER: Guangzhou Shopping

Showing posts with label Guangzhou Shopping. Show all posts

Friday, May 16, 2008

HOROLOGICAL MARKET

Then off we went to the Wangjiao Horological Market to the west of Guangzhou Railway Station. There, we came across a building with a large trading on the ground floor that houses numerous showcases featuring all types and styles of watches. There's a wide array of formal, casual, sporty and trendy watches and it is possible to get all your favorite brands at low prices. But please keep in mind these are designer replicas. It was, however, sold like hot cakes in the market. (sorry no pics)

On the other side of the street is well worth a wander for shopping with all sorts of packing boxes and packing bags from watch box, gift box to jewelry box. With so many assortments of shapes, sizes and designs available right under my nose, I can't help but get euphoric! I was planning to buy the 24-watch holder but it was too big and heavy. So, we ended up buying two sets of 12-watch holder case. We also purchased quite a lot of single holder watch boxes.

12-watch holder case made of wood

Within a few blocks you will find also a mix of retail outlets and stores selling sunglasses, casual clothing, outdoor apparel and gear, footwear, bags, home furnishings and a lot more.

This place will surely give enough excitement to keep shopaholics and casual shoppers occupied for at least several hours.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

LEATHER MARKET

On our last day in Guangzhou, China we perused a number of large wholesale stores in BaiYun district Ziyuangang area, which is famous for large-scale Leather distribution centers. We roamed around and scouted the shops. It was like a never-ending shopping retreat crammed with rows and rows of stores. The entire area has over 10 wholesale buildings and thousands of street shops selling exclusively of handbags, shoulder bags, briefcases, luggage, wallets and leather belts of every possible description.

Along this area, we happened to see Guangzhou Baiyun World Leather Trading Centre, which is one of the biggest wholesale with some high quality leather products and another store named Gui Hua Lou Leather Mall.

Guangzhou Baiyun Wold Leather Trading Centre

Gui Hua Lou Leather Mall

The are many varieties of leather ware available here. It is the optimal area for your free options. But most wholesalers do require a considerable wholesale orders. The Leather markets are just huge, so you need to wear comfortable shoes as there's plenty of shops to meander.

But sadly, due to enormity of the place and lack of time, we decided to eschew most of the shops. :(

Friday, May 09, 2008

CARREFOUR GUANGZHOU

We paid a visit to our favorite French International hypermarket chain, Carrefour. I've started to love this hypermarket during my first visit in Shanghai. Most of us know that this is a giant outlet that offers everything under one roof.

Carrefour in Guangzhou is conveniently located in the city center and easily accessible by car. It has a contemporary set-up mix with majority of local Chinese brand and tastes. The standard grocery assortment is quite small compared to other Carrefour in Asia that we visited. But one good thing about this store, it has relatively large walkways that are wide enough for shoppers. Prices and quality is generally good.

One noteworthy here is the "Baggage Deposit". You basically fill it with your personal belongings except cash and other valuable items. How to use? You have to refer to the "operation guide" before using this machine.

Please take note that you have to lock the door first if it is unlock before pressing the "store" key. When you're done don't forget to get the bar-code sheet. It's for getting back your parcel and it can only be used only once.

Related Links:
About Guangzhou, China
Dong Fang Hotel, Guangzhou (Accommodation)
Bejing Lu (Shopping)
Shangxiajiu (Shopping)
The First Tunnel of Guangzhou (Shopping)
Marriot Hotel, Guangzhou (Accommodation)
Yide Lu (Shopping)
Onelink International Plaza (Shopping)

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

ONELINK INTERNATIONAL PLAZA

Easily accessible from Haizhunguangchang subway station and a short walk along Yide Lu brings you to One Link International Plaza. A wholesale air-conditioned market especializing in soft toys, gifts, garment, household appliances, bags, horologe, suspending ornaments, festival article, ceramics, stationery, packing ribbon and a lot more.

Actually I enjoyed my shopping experience here. This is where I mostly bought my gifts and presents. The place has an array of curio shops, but not all items on display are good. You have to take a little effort to find the nicer ones. Fortunately, we came across a gift shop and I then perused on my own and found a bunch of fun and cute items like the car decors, tiny lamps and rotating elephant and pig musical tabletop pieces. Prices were very reasonable.

Right opposite appears like a Victorian style shop selling personal and home accessories. And I saw similar bedroom slippers that I bought from Yide Lu.

The next store we visited looks like a traditional antique shop. But what was more fascinating, they specialize exclusively in making wood wristwatches. Since hubby and I are wristwatch enthusiasts, we were immediately hooked and bought quite a few really nice pieces such as the Pilot style (an all wood case hand-made wooden strap with stainless steel buckle and Citizen quartz 3 hands movement), the Telephone style (the concept of this watch came from the inspiration of the olden day telephone, made of all wood case, soft leather strap with stainless steel buckle). We also had the oversize "Save The Earth" watch and my favorite of all, a lady bracelet watch that has a distinctive crystal rhinestone pattern. This is a very unique and eye catching model that I won't probably see any one else wearing.

the Telephone wristwatch

What's unique about the whole watch, it is cut from wood except the inner core. It is lighter and more durable than alloy, combined succesfully with various fashion elements. The design is audicious in idea, but distinguished, decent, and fashionable in style.

We also visited several stores selling bags. We also happened to pass by a shop focusing solely on army specialty apparel and accessories where hubby bought a helmet for his collection.

inside the plaza

And if you're hungry, there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet located on the ground floor while the basement level has a food court.

Close by is Guangzhou Metropolis Shoes City, a store specializing in all kinds of of shoes. Unfortunately, we weren't able to visit the place because I was already tired as hell after our long day of walking. Shopping in Guangzhou can be a pretty exchausting experience simply because of its vastness.

Monday, May 05, 2008

YIDE LU

Later in the afternoon we headed down to these behemoth of wholesale markets in Yide Lu. A bustling commercial blocks and energetic maze of alleys crammed with stalls and shops selling everything from children's toys, personal and home accessories, dried foods, local produce and homemade goods and so much more! This large selection and variety of products is for shoppers of all ages and budgets.

some of the many wholesale items that we bought

This is a wholesale shopping market so most vendors do not entertain retail buyers. I strongly suggest that you do half a dozen or more wholesale deals with them. You'll get a very good price and save some bucks if you'll apply your bargaining technique.

We had a little shopping adventure here before going to Onelink International Plaza.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

THE FIRST TUNNEL OF GUANGZHOU

On the third day, we visited The First Tunnel Of Guangzhou (The Top Clothes Underground Wholesale Centre of Asia). It is located at Yuexiu district station road, a 15 to 20-minute walk away from Dong Fang Hotel. I'm proud to say my hubby discovered this place just by exploring around the vicinity. (Sometimes it really does pay off being a roamer hahaha...)

The Underground Tunnel Entrance

Service Center

Oh my God, honestly this is the best place I've visited for "Clothes" shopping so far in Asia. These are not the internationally well-known designer labels but these are quite fashionable, chic and on-trend apparels. Prices on some labels can soar, but most are reasonable.

The Fashion Woman Street

When you're here, it's like an unending maze of connecting boutique shops on its side. It's a magnanimous clothing center around 60,000 square meters. I was so flabbergasted that it really made my jaw drop. This airconditioned underground tunnel is a 7 major business blocks integrated, composed of The Fashion Woman Street, The Korean Clothing Street, The Business & Recreational Men's Wear Street, The Handsome Boy Recreational Street, The Children's Clothing Street and the Underwear & Socks Street.

The Handsome Boy Recreational Street

The Children's Clothing Street

Suffice it to say, Shopaholics will absolutely drool of the selections of the style and theme that commonly covers from casual, feminine to cool and mature styles. During our visit most of the clothing merchandise at that time was especially designed for winter such as coats, jackets, hats, knitted garments, shawls, carves, vests and gloves. But there were also some handbags, jeans, t-shirts, polo & casual shirts, coat & tie, dressing gowns, nighties, lingeries, accessories, baby suits, kids stuff and a lot more.

Our shopping experience here was absolutely drool-licious!

Related Links:
About Guangzhou, China
Dong Fang Hotel, Guangzhou (Accommodation)
Bejing Lu (Shopping)
Shangxiajiu (Shopping)
Marriott Hotel, Guangzhou (Accommodation)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

SHANGXIAJIU ROAD

From Beijing Lu we made our way to Shangxiajiu, which is also one of the busiest streets and cherished by both locals and visitors. It stretches from Shangxiajiu Road in the east to west Dishifu Road in the west, and traverses Baohua Road and Wenchang Road, about 1200 meters in total length.

Among the interesting sites in this pedestrianized street are the unique traditional Cantonese architecture and several life-size sculptures postioned along the sidewalk depicting the life of the olden times. While meandering down the street we chanced upon Holiday Inn Hotel located right in the heart of Shangxiajiu Road.

life-size sculptures

Holiday Inn Hotel is on the right side

The place is peppered with shops, traditional commodities of various kinds, teahouses and open-air food stalls. Products sold here range from clothes, shoes, bags, books, jades, jewelries and a lot more.

There were also a few quite alleys that we found interesting. We accidentally found these fluffy bedroom slippers there.

I've gone gaga over these big, comfy and very light slippers. I thought this would be a good present so I bought different designs. Plus it was sold unbelievably cheap!

Monday, April 28, 2008

BEIJING LU

The next day, our first stop was Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street, the main shopping thoroughfare with a wide range of shopping preferences from fashionable to traditional such as clothes, home interiors, shoes, cosmetics, souvenirs and food.

Beijing Lu Road has huge department stores, small local set-ups, designer boutiques, restaurants and local food kiosks.Most stores here are open from 9am to 10pm.

Since this is a popular shopping area for locals and tourists, this pedestrianized road is usually packed with shoppers especially on the weekends.

Along the middle of the road is the excavated site of the historical layers of streets from different periods dating back to the Tang Dynasty (this was recently discovered in 2002). I was so amazed to see it up close. Absolutely remarkable experience! The site is now developed as one of the tourist attractions in Beijing Lu.

the excavated site roofed in clear glass

After a couple of hours wandering around, we decided to have some drinks at Happy Lemon. They have series of lemon, fresh tea, mousse spin, milk tea, classic teapresso and cocoa & espresso.