Bars & Clubs
There are a host of different kinds of places to enjoy a drink, from outdoor stalls to trendy bars, Western-style pubs and not so Western-style clubs. For a slice of Chinese life along with your beverage you can't beat a beer at one of the ubiquitous outdoor eateries in the thick of busy streetlife; owners generally don't mind if you don't eat, but a bit of nourishment can help to temper the alcohol. And while karaoke (KTV) bars may be a long way from your notion of a quiet place for a drink, their popularity speaks volumes about the Chinese concept of having a good time and can make for a very different and fun evening out. More upscale places have private rooms where you can scream your lungs out from the comfort of a couch, but be aware that some of these places are merely fronts for brothels. There are even KTV booths on the street where the spectacle of a foreigner singing is certain to cause a stir, but, no matter how bad you are, you'll always get some applause!
In the cities there are neon-lit bars serving a range of imported beers and spirits, often found clustered together in bar districts such as San Litun Lu in Beijing. University areas also tend to attract bars and coffee shops, often with cheaper prices than their city center counterparts. Discos and nightclubs are generally found in the same locations, although the experience can be very different from the Western model! These places often have a cover charge (sometimes waived for foreigners) for which you may get a "free” drink. Once inside, you might find scantily clad women dancing on podiums to cheesy tunes and witness all manner of shows or party games! For those more serious about their music in the big cities there are also underground venues with the latest in dance music from around the globe and live music bars where you can see emerging bands (see Protest Music). Although there are recommended bars, pubs and clubs within this book, it's a fast-moving scene, which makes it worth checking out local web magazines such as www.thatsmags.com for the latest.
Cinema
Although China has plenty of movie theaters to while away rainy afternoons, outside of Hong Kong, most films are in Chinese, so, unless you're into martial arts and want to catch a kung fu flick, your options can be limited. Beijing and Shanghai do have a few theaters that show movies in English and they are also popping up in other cities such as Hangzhou. Tickets cost around $50.
Shopping
Shopping in China has come a long way from the shortages of yesteryear and is one of the chief hobbies (and status symbols) of the Middle Kingdom's newly moneyed population. This is reflected in the country's legion of shiny new shopping malls and bustling markets, and makes China a great shopping destination. Shopping is fun in China – from nightmarkets to exclusive boutiques, there's always something to catch your eye and it's a great way to come into contact with the locals. Just remember that whatever you buy has to find its way home somehow, so it's worth concentrating your shopping at the tail end of your trip, by which time you may also have a clearer idea of what you like and how much you should pay for it. If you're buying items over 100 years old, you'll need to get an export certificate, which can be arranged at Friendship Stores and note that it's illegal to take home anything that predates the death of Emperor Qianlong in 1795. Of course, you'll also have to take into account customs on return to your home country – see Customs & Immigration for more information. If you plan to buy items that require shipping home, check all of the costs incurred, as cheap prices are sometimes offset by unexpected payments to have the goods delivered to your door.
What's Offered
As the biggest manufacturer on the planet, China clearly has a lot to sell and you'll find everything from tacky Mao souvenirs, cheap electronics and the latest fashions to quality traditional items such as jade, paintings, pottery, silk and tea. Antique items can be found everywhere from streetmarkets to department stores, but forgery is also rife; if something is more than 100 years old, it should have an official red wax seal, so if you're paying a substantial amount and authenticity is important to you, make sure you get one of these. Something else to note is the widespread availability of imitation products – from designer label clothing to pirate CDs and DVDs. Although they're very cheap and the audiovisual copies are usually good quality, they are, of course, all illegal and may be seized at customs on your return. Finally, there are also a few shopping scams that can snare the unwary – see Warning – Scams for more.
Where to Shop
China has all kinds of retail outlets, from rickety one-man stalls to exclusive boutiques and emporiums and they're all worth visiting to get a flavor for the dichotomy that is modern China. See individual chapters for prime shopping spots.
Note that returning goods is not as simple as at home. Although department stores or chains might have some kind of policy, this is usually only valid at that particular store, for a limited period (usually a week). Even with an unopened (or damaged) item and a receipt, exchange is the best you can expect to get – refunds are almost unheard of.
Market stall
Markets
China abounds in markets and they make a great place to buy everything from vegetables to traditional art. In the cities you'll find markets for everyday goods and food, as well as those selling antiques, clothes and handicrafts. Nightmarkets are also popular and usually offer a range of stalls, along with places to eat. In the country, markets are often a social focal point, worth visiting for their snapshot of rural life, regardless of shopping. Here you'll probably see antique coin salesmen, fortune tellers, hairdressers and medical practitioners, as well as all manner of fruits, vegetables and livestock. Markets are always fair game for bargaining, particularly those at tourist sights.
Emporiums
If you've come on a tour you're almost certain to see at least one of these places. Emporiums are usually government-approved and tend to offer a variety of crafts, usually reflecting the specialty of the region. They are also often attached to "factories” where you can see the items in question being produced, although this is generally for show – the second a group leaves, the employees stop work! Groups are usually taken by a guide, who will receive a commission (as will the travel company) on anything you buy. But, if you walk into an emporium unaccompanied, you're unlikely to pay less. The advantages emporiums offer are the ease of a fixed price (though you can haggle a little) and the guarantee of quality. If you do plan to spend a significant amount, it's worth making sure the item is genuine – unless you're an expert this can be difficult, so it's easiest to buy from an approved store.