STRETCHING YOUR SHOPPING MONEY IN SHENZHEN

A Pleasure to Shop in Shenzhen


I would never have written six editions of Shop in Shenzhen if I didn't personally enjoy shopping at such a great discount. There are so many valuable practical things to buy among its 1000 + shops - you can not only shop for the whole family but furnish your home as well. I don't travel there regularly but when I go, I make sure to bring along a list that I have been adding to in between trips.

Quick Shenzhen Journey

A few days ago, I made a quick trip. I gathered all my documents: passport, ID card, customs form to fill out, a copy of my guideand my list of things to do and buy. It's sort of my job to keep track of any new developments. My main purpose this time was to try out a few clothes at the tailor's and at the same time, to try out a new tailor. I had a few other errands to do, and went off in the late afternoon. It's the best time of day as by then, the touters are feeling weary and won't be as persistent as they usually are throughout the da

Tailor Wang Jing Wai

This tailor shop is always very busy and popular among westerners. Stall # 19 is located at the far left end of the fabric market as you walk in. When the staff see a westerner approaching, their English speaking assistant immediately comes forward to help you. The shop has lots of catalogues and fashion magazines to choose designs from and staff have a very good sense of western styling. This time, I had clothes made for a friend in Switzerland and had some made for myself. Most of the clothes were made just as I had requested. Out of 20 pieces, perhaps one, a skirt, was a total loss. I consider these odds pretty good considering the very reasonable price one pays for tailoring in Shenzhen. I would readily recommend this tailor. In fact, she's already listed in my 2010 shopping guide under 'My Recommended Tailors' section, thanks to the many people who sent in their recommendations.

As always happens when you return to the tailor's, they asked me to return in two hours time to allow them to make the alterations. Because I'm always on the lookout for great shops to add to my book, I can always use the time to look around. However, like everyone else in the middle of a shopping Mecca like LCC, I rarely escape without doing at least some damage to my own pocketbook.



Optical Shop

I'd been looking for a pair of prescription sunglasses for a long time. As always, it's the frame that I couldn't find. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted but just couldn't find it anywhere, until that day. I shopped around at the various optical shops and finally found what I was looking for. This optical shop occupies the corner of a stall in one of the jewellery bazaars. The shop is called Angie, shop 3368, stall A50. It's actually run by Angie and her husband. Both are professional and friendly. The husband is the optician so he does the eye test and selects the prescription. For a pair of progressive lenses, with sun protection, anti-scratch lenses, the cost was 1200 Reminbi - about one third of what I had paid in Hong Kong a few years before. So far, I'm thrilled with them.



Men's Tailor

While shopping around, I bumped into Tony, a tailor who had made a suit for a young gentleman who had visited us a few weeks back in Hong Kong. Tony is an excellent tailor. The young man brought along a copy of GQ Magazine which showed a photo of a smart business suit. Tony recommended a swatch of beautiful Italian wool for the suit and had it made up in record time. When we returned for the first fitting, it took a long time to figure out which alterations had to be done , But in the end, the suit fit perfectly. Our young friend was so pleased that he ordered a cashmere coat and had Tony sent it to him in New York. I was a bit worried about that one but he was thrilled with the coat when it arrived. Tony is at shop 5123.



Men's Designer Fashion Overruns

The quality of men's fashion at Lowu Commercial City really makes me jealous. You can tell the quality of the garment by the feel of the fabric. There are a number of excellent shops all around the mall. Some of these men's shops will even do alterations for you. Generally, men's fashion at this mall is of a higher quality than women's.

I strongly recommend that you order a copy of my book on my website, www.shopinshenzhen.com. There are so many valuable tips that will make your shopping journey super efficient.



Jewellery Bazaar

You can't visit Lowu Commercial City without dropping by the Jewellery Bazaar on the third floor. As you come out of the bubble lift, take a right and walk to the far end. It's truly a wonderful place to have jewellery made up. The big hall is lined with stalls in the centre and shops along the walls. While some shops sell only ready-made jewellery, others display strings and strings of semi-precious stones hung together from which you can create your own pieces. You can even bring your own pearls and have them re-strung. They don't charge for this but will do it for free if you're already buying something from them.



Eat Well at Lowu Commercial City

When you spend so many hours on your feet, it's good to know that you can sit down and have a great meal when you're ready to collapse. Laurel on the 5th floor is just what you need. It's the most popular Chinese restaurant in Lowu Commercial City and the best. Go early to make a booking before getting too caught up in your shopping.



Manicure and Pedicure

I stumbled into shop 3316 totally by accident. It's actually a beauty salon which also does manicure and pedicures. It looked and was clean and comfortable. They did a great job with my pedicure.

How About Shopping in Shenzhen?

Shopping in Shenzhen

If there ever was a time to shop in Shenzhen, it has to be now when the economy in the ‘real world’ is in such a dreadful state. Prices in Shenzhen are still well worth the journey. The tailors, the pearl shops, semi-precious jewellery makers, the designer fashion outlets, the curtain shops, the bedding shops ,etc offer great value. Not only that. Shopkeepers have had a hard time surviving the dramatic slowdown that happened during the Olympics as so many shoppers simply couldn’t get visas to travel to Shenzhen. Shopkeepers are now even more eager to do business and to negotiate.


A little bit about visas

Thankfully, the Olympics are over and the self-punishing China visa restrictions have been relaxed. It is once again possible to get a 5-day single entry visa to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone at the Shenzhen border. If you plan to go to Shenzhen only once or twice , this is the cheapest and easiest way to get your visa.

When you do apply for a visa at the border, you are expected to pay in RMBs so change your cash before you arrive in Shenzhen.

The cost of a Shenzhen border visa varies by passport holder. Passport holders from ‘reciprocal countries’ pay 160RMB. Those holding passports from ‘non-reciprocal’ countries pay more and the price varies by country. Reciprocal countries include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most European countries.

The UK and the US are ‘non-reciprocal’ countries. US passport holders cannot obtain a visa at the Shenzhen border. UK passport holders can. The cost is about 460RMB.

China Visas

If you would rather get a China visa, i.e. one that allows you to travel beyond Shenzhen, for example if you want to go to the Guhe Antique Market in Zhuhai, you need to get your visa at the Chinese Government Building in Wanchai North or at a China Travel Service Bureau (or any other visa granting agency). If you want to get an idea of prices at the government office, check out their website at www.fmcoprc.gov.hk


New Border Crossing

There are now two pedestrian border stations that can be reached by Hong Kong’s MTR urban transport. In fact, taking the MTR is the easiest and fastest way to go. The second and newest pedestrian border station is at Lok Ma Chau which takes passengers to the Futian part of Shenzhen. On the Shenzhen side, this station is called ‘Huanggang Station’. A lot of people use this border crossing if they’re going to a spa or if they’re going to play golf. However, the Lowu border crossing is still the best one to use if you’re going shopping. From here, you can go to Lowu Commercial City or to Dongmen, which is where all the locals love to shop. Going to the Dongmen area from here is a snap. The new ‘Metro’(Shenzhen’s name for their MTR) station is right at the border and the Dongmen is three stops away, at Lao Jie Station.

Shenzhen’s Glitzy Spas

Spas are the latest tourist attraction in Shenzhen and many Hong Kong residents come here to spend a large part of the day being pampered at prices they never thought they could afford. The spas in my book are elegant and comfortable. The prices are wonderful. Most spas do massages and facials and offer use of their ‘spa’ which is what they call their heated whirlpools, etc. One, the Queen’s Club also does more advanced skin rejuvenation treatments.

Tipping for Spa Services in Shenzhen

You are expected to tip those who provide the services at the spa. Here is a guideline on what to tip:

For a 20-30 minute service, the ‘suggested’ tips are Y10 (satisfactory), Y20 (very good) and Y30 (excellent). For 90 minute services, the ‘suggested’ tips are Y50, Y70 and Y100.

At the end of each treatment, you will be asked to fill in the amount of your tip on the bill.

Enjoy!