A Guide to Shopping in Guangzhou, China

As the third biggest metropolitan area in China, Guangzhou is a bustling place. It's also known by some as a "Shopping Paradise" because of the wealth of shopping venues big and small. Here's a guide to some of the best places to shop in Guangzhou.

Beijing Road: As one of Guangzhou's best places for fashion shopping, Beijing Road is open from morning till night. The 300-meter street is flocked on weekends by shoppers of all sorts. The stores span a wide spectrum, from high end stores selling foreign brands, to little hole in the wall places where you can get a real bargain. Fashionistas, eat your heart out.

Shangxiajiu Street: Affectionately nicknamed "up down nine street" by the foreign community, this pedestrian shopping street has all sorts of clothes and wares for reasonable prices. With a mixture of Chinese and Western architectural styles, this is a fun place to shop.

The Flea Market: Here's the place to find second-hand goods and great bargains in Guangzhou-although beware the knockoffs, which can look very much like the real thing. Located in Dashatou near the Haiyin Bridge, this is the place to go for bargain shopping.

Zhuangyuan-fang: This is a place for younger people to go. All the school kids gather here during lunch and it gets very packed. At one time, this lane was where special goods such as Cantonese Opera costumes were sold, but it is now the territory of the Guangzhou youth. Come here for cute and kitschy wares and baubles, although prices can be more expensive.

Haizhu Square Market: This is a big wholesale market, but you can also bargain and buy things individually. It's located to the west of the Haizhu Square. For cheap knick-knacks and inexpensive stylish clothes, this is the place to go. Things are less expensive here than at Zhuangyuan-fang.

Hinyin Book City: Any bookworm should definitely hit up this Guangzhou bookstore, which carries a wide variety of all sorts of books and printed things. Prices are reasonable, and you can often get discounts if you buy more.

Huangsha pen and stationary wholesale market: This place is worth a visit if you need office supplies, or just for some fun browsing. It is a wholesale market, but you can usually buy individual items. Pens, stationary, school bags, and all sorts of office supplies.

Antique Xiguan Street: A long, narrow lane in the old part of Guangzhou, this offers a very authentic old-Guangzhou shopping experience.