🛍️ What to Buy in Guangzhou: The Ultimate Shopping & Foodie Guide
Guangzhou, the lively capital of Guangdong, is famous not only for Cantonese dim sum but also for shopping, coffee culture, and bubble tea. Whether you’re strolling down pedestrian streets or exploring mega-malls, there’s plenty to bring home — from local snacks and cosmetics to trendy drinks and souvenirs. Here’s your complete guide on what to buy and where to shop in Guangzhou.
1. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路步行街)
📍 Address: Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
🕒 Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
This is the most popular shopping street in Guangzhou, perfect for both sightseeing and retail therapy.
- Snacks to buy: Preserved fruits, almond biscuits, and Cantonese herbal tea candies.
- Cosmetics: Watsons, Sephora, and Perfect Diary branches line the street.
- Coffee & Bubble Tea nearby:
- Heytea (喜茶) – 218 Beijing Road, Yuexiu | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 当地推荐：荔枝玫瑰茶、茉莉绿妍，清爽解腻
- Naixue’s Tea (奈雪的茶) – 210 Beijing Road, Yuexiu | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡) – 222 Beijing Road, Yuexiu | ⏰ 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- 炭火烧烤
- 点都德 | Dim Sum
- 文昌鸡 | 白切鸡、油饭、鸡汤。
2. Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街)
📍 Address: Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
🕒 Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Known for its Lingnan-style buildings, Shangxiajiu is your go-to spot for local Cantonese goods and snacks.
- Snacks to buy: Sesame candy, roasted chestnuts, and double-skin milk pudding.
- Local items: Embroidered shoes, silk nightwear, and Canton porcelain.
- Restaurants to try:
- Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居) – 20 Dishifu Road, Liwan | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Dim Sum
- 南信牛奶甜品专家 47 No.10 Fu Rd, 上下九地区 Liwan Distric | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- 文记壹心鸡 | Michelin | Chicken 白切鸡、油饭、鸡汤
- 宝华面店 117 Baohua Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, 510140 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Wantan noodle, beef noodle
Nearby coffee & bubble tea:
- Manner Coffee (曼咖啡) – 268 Shangxiajiu Road, Liwan | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
3. Grandview Mall (正佳广场)
📍 Address: 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
🕒 Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
A mega mall in Tianhe, Grandview Mall offers international and Chinese brands, along with fun snack shops.
- Snacks to buy: Holiland bakery (好利来) for cakes and pastries.
- Cosmetics: Sephora and Perfect Diary flagship stores.
- Coffee & Bubble Tea inside:
- Seesaw Coffee (Seesaw咖啡) – trendy specialty coffee brand.
- Heytea (喜茶) – for fruit teas and cheese foams.
4. Wanjia Department Store (万家百货, near Shangxiajiu)
📍 Address: 257 Changshou Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
🕒 Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
A favorite among locals for souvenir snack shopping.
- Must-buy snacks: Phoenix rolls, walnut cookies, herbal candy, and Cantonese sausages.
- Perfect for last-minute hauls before flying home.
5. Coffee & Bubble Tea Hotspots in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a paradise for café hopping. Beyond Heytea and Naixue’s Tea, here are some chains and indie coffee brands you’ll spot near shopping streets:
- Manner Coffee (曼咖啡)
📍 Branch: 268 Shangxiajiu Road, Liwan District
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
👉 Specialty flat whites and seasonal lattes. - Seesaw Coffee
📍 Branch: Grandview Mall, 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District
⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
👉 Famous for fruity, single-origin beans. - Cha Yan Yue Se (茶颜悦色)
📍 Branch: 210 Beijing Road, Yuexiu District
⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
👉 Hunan’s cult-favorite tea chain now in Guangzhou, famous for milk tea with floral notes.
✨ Final Tips for Shopping in Guangzhou
- Timing matters – go early to avoid weekend crowds.
- Bring an extra tote – snacks and cosmetics pile up fast!
- Cashless convenience – Alipay and WeChat Pay rule here, but carry a Visa/Mastercard for malls.
- Stay nearby – pick hotels in Yuexiu (Beijing Road) or Liwan (Shangxiajiu) for maximum shopping access.
