Where to buy in China?

Friendship Stores
In China, friendship stores were originally set up by the government to provide services to foreign visitors. Now, most are like any modern department store with a variety of goods including silk; jewelry made from gold, silver, pearl and jade; embroidered tablecloths and blouses; paintings, porcelain, pottery and handicrafts. Prices are clearly marked on the merchandise. Prices may be slightly higher than at other Chinese stores but the goods are of higher quality and some items are unavailable elsewhere. Government stores have a reputation for honesty. Bargaining is acceptable.
Department Stores
Most department stores are run by the state with some being run by individual or joint venture. The merchandise available in Chinese department stores is similar what you would expect to find in department stores anywhere in the world. Bargaining is seldom acceptable. Look for sales.
Factories
Every arts and crafts factory has a showroom where visitors can buy what is made there. Marked prices may be more expensive than similar items elsewhere but deep discounts of 40 to 50% are common.
Markets
Markets are an ideal place to search for inexpensive items. Markets with many similar shops or stalls have the cheapest prices and it is possible to sometimes find merchandise of good to very good quality. You will need to be extremely careful but those name brand items just might be genuine. They could be seconds or factory overruns. Check everything carefully. The prices are flexible and you should practise your bargaining skill there.
Hotel stores
Most luxury hotels have their own shopping mall where various souvenirs and daily articles offered. Stores in these hotels are not cheap but you can find some very fine quality clothing, fabrics, and antiques there.
Antiques
Antique stores run by the government are the most reliable but you can forget bargains for genuine antiques. The Chinese are very knowledgeable about their cultural heritage and it's value.
Do not buy any antiques that date before 1795 as they cannot be legally exported.
Make sure that the antiques you bought carry a red wax seal indicating that it is authentic and is able to be exported from China.
Keep all purchase receipts, especially that of Chinese medicine herbs, antiques, gold and silver articles, jade ware and etc. You may be asked to produce these by customs when leaving China.
Do not buy those articles made form rare wild animals. All the contraband articles will be confiscate without compensation.
Note: In China, shops are open every day of the week:
8.30 am- 8 pm. (summer)
9 am - 7 pm (winter)