Shopping in Tianjin

Located so close to each other, Tianjin keeps a totally different profile from Beijing. Beijing should be a must for travelers in China as well as an ideal city for young people seeking for good jobs. To be opposite, Tianjin is a much comfortable and leisurely city for living in. It always has some specialities attracting me, the beautiful buildings, the tasted food and friendly people.

It is easily to purchase some exotic goods in Tianjin at very reasonable price. Some goods may be sold at these luxurious department stores but with an incredible price. For a traveler's shopping, Nanshi Food Street will never be missed, just like going to Beijing's Wangfujing. Goubuli Baozi seems to be the most time-honored food along this street. But, to be a local, it is not wise to taste this bun here since the price is much higher than its other branches distributed in Tianjin. Besides of it, almost every famous snack of Tianjin could be found in this street, such as Erduoyan Fried Rice Cake, Shibajie Mahua (18th Street Fried Dough Twists), Daligao (a local sweet), Bengdou Zhang (Zhang's nuts and dried food). It took about 20 minutes to walk from the north gate to the south end of the food street. Then, I turned to the Binjiang Dao for exploring more local streets and shops.

As a prosperous port, Tianjin does connect to international city already. Along its commercial street, there are many nice department stores and trendy boutique. Would like to experience a local market? My destination is the large Shuguang Market (曙光市场) at Heiniu Cheng Dao. So many cheap commodities are sold here, such as kitchenware, shoes, clothes, bags, toys and cosmetics. You should take a large baggage:) No need to bargain seriously since most of the price is reasonable. I spent only 400yuan for tow dust coat, a jean and a pair of sheepskin shoes.
Tips: good places to purchase china kitchenware: Shuguang Market, Renrenle Taobao Street (仁人乐淘宝街) and a foreign trade china shop at Changdedao (常德道).