Almost a year ago I went to Hong Kong and had the chance to visit Sham Shui Po Fabric Market. I was thrilled to score some good quality fabrics and those rare ones that I couldn’t find it back in Malaysia. Do read about my experience here if you haven’t.
Ever since that trip,I’ve been waiting for the right time to rope in my crafter friends on a fabric shopping spree. Long story short, Maizura, Liza and I finally decided that we should go to Guangzhou China as we heard ‘this is the real deal’ ‘the mother of all fabric markets’. Upon approval from our husbands (yay!) we proceed to book our flight tickets and waited anxiously for the day to come.
We arrived Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou on 30th April 2014 in the morning.
The first fabric market we went was the HighSun String & Cloth Market (also known as HighSun Fabric Market). We took taxi to the market as it was more convenient that way. Tip #1 , for non mandarin speaking tourist like us , we came prepared printed the mandarin name and showed to the taxi driver. He understood right away and took us there, about couple minutes drive only from our hotel .
In front of the store. Yes all smiley and super excited 🙂
This Aunty shop carries variety of linen materials and she’s super nice too! We like her a lot that we came back again with more order.
Liza felt all giddy here hahaha …honestly, we are all spoilt with tons of fabric choices.
Haggling is a must here! That’s my “gimme good price aunty..i buy many many” pfft hahaha
Some that I bought on that day..
We stayed in Highsun until close to 6pm. Then we headed back to hotel as all of us suddenly felt our stomach growling- literally shop till we drop!
Day two – Welcome to Zhongda Fabric Market (中大瑞纺布匹市场 ). We arrived early morning around 9am and yerp! this time with our luggage bags. Pretty ambitious I’ll say. We took translator this time round as we’re not that confident when it comes to dealing with whole sellers.(or so we thought hmmm)
Inside Zhongda.
As expected there were swatches on each shops. Unfortunately due to Labor day many shops were closed ..even if there are shops that operates, they are unable to get fabrics as warehouses are closed as well. However they suggested we placed our orders and swing by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, as by then warehouses are open.To be honest we were rather skeptical about the arrangement , firstly our flights back is tomorrow night and secondly we rather not take the risk of losing our deposit money if we failed to picked up/they failed to deliver.
Anyhow we didn’t came back empty handed. Liza managed to grab few meters on the spot from a shop that happen to kept some fabric sample. As for the rest of us, we went for sewing accessories like rick racks, buttons, lace, knit elastic band which was pretty awesome too!
On Day three – Well, we went back to HighSun for the same reason – another round of fabric freezy..haha just an excuse to finish up our yuans, which I might add was a good choice we make , as we got familiar and know which shops has yummy fabrics selections. We scored relatively good % too if I may say ..so hurrah!
Ok here are some tips I gather :
1. Never ever ever Ever accept the first price offer.
2. Try to walk around first before you start buying .
2. Make sure what you bargain is what you really really want. It’s just not nice if you bargain and not interested to buy. So be nice to the seller too ya.
3. If the price offer is not right, tryyyy walking away from the seller (tactics hehe)..and chances are sometimes they will call you back and give you your last offer price. But sometimes, they might just ignored you as they find your offer price too low ..haha in that case, if you really2 like it just buy lah!
4.Chinese beliefs first customer in the morning should bring “ong” (luck) for their business. We happened to come early that day. So as a first buyer they gave quite a good price. I even managed to get few meters free as well from the ‘many-many’ meters I bought from this seller., I believe she kinda like me hahaha ..My friends can attest to that 🙂
5. Few basic English to communicate “how much”(show the calculator), “buy many-many?”, “ok not ok?”
To conclude I even made this table below as a comparison between HighSun vs Zhongda Fabric Markets.
FABRIC MARKETS | Highsun (Haiyin) Fabrics Market海印布匹市场 | Zhongda Fabric Market(中大瑞纺布匹市场 — Zhongda Rui Fang Bu Pi Shichang) |
Fabrics | almost any kinds of fabrics can be found here, for curtains, bedsheets, silk materials, chiffon and cotton. | you’ll be overwhelmed with the choices they have, you have to refer to their fabric swatches inside/outside their shops. |
The place | it is ideal for small quantity fabric purchases (between 2-10 meters) and for tailor making dresses. | it mostly targeted for whole sellers, selling wide varieties of fabrics and taking up order until 1000 meters! |
Opening Hours | 9.30am – 6pm | 8.30am – 6pm/7pm |
Minimun Purchase | you can buy small quantities about one meter of fabric | Depending on each shop, some prefer you to buy in bulk. However, you can inquire them if you can buy fabrics as sample abt 5-10 meters, sometimes they do take up. Try asking |
Do I have to wait for my fabric order? | Normally they have their stocks within reach, so you can get your fabrics order right on the spot. | Most of the time,Yes you do have to wait because their warehouse is elsewhere so they need to make contact for your order. some i read takes an hour or so, but for us they requested a day/ two days of delivery |
Location/Address | 沿江东路429 号海印大厦 海印布艺城1-4/F, Haiyin Building, 429 Yanjiang Dong Lu, GUANGZHOU Guangzhou | Zhongda Fabric Market 海珠区新港西路中大国际轻纺城 Xingang Xi LuChina Fabrics and Accessories Center (广州国际轻纺城 — Guangzhou guo ji qing fang cheng) |
How to get there? | We didn’t take the metro, we took taxi , it was about 15 minute drive there. | If by metro station > stop at Sun Yat Sen University, Exit D. Walk straight 200 meters after the exit and turn right on Ruikang Road. Then you will find fabric markets all over that street.By taxi from our Sino Trade Center hotel, took us about 20 minutes. The fare was about 20yuan. |
Other good write up I look up before the trip was from these readers:
Our translator name was Carrie, from ChinaFabrix . She came to our hotel and we all went together to Zhongda.
In case you’re wondering, we stayed at Sino Trade Centre Hotel which we highly recommended. Great location, easy public transport access, there’s 7-11 and Circle K , a bakery shop and if you’re a muslim there’s few blocks away a halal restaurant. In the morning there’s a flea market just behind the hotel and there’s a yummy yogurt seller nearby too.
All in all, based on our business needs & the time we have in Guangzhou we preferred HighSun Fabric Market. That being said given the chance we would definitely like to come again to Zhongda Fabric Market and maybe this time we might place our orders 😉
I personally hope this entry inspired you readers to hop on that plane and explore this city!
Other places we went during this trip was One Link Plaza (selling lotsa toys, gifts and household items), Beijing Lu (fashion street) and One Link Walk (just to checkout Zara Home !).
The End.
Hi Ira, another great write up! So so useful and informative. Would you mind sharing in terms of prices which one place was more value for money (considering the travel expenses, accommodation and fabric cost) Hong Kong or Guangzhou?
Thanks Sue
I would say Guangzhou 😉
I need china fabrics i m from india
+919727512467
Hi I’m Lin from Asian Global Guangzhou China. Do you still want fabrics ?
Hi lin give me your contact details
Awesomeeeee!
Hai!!!! May i know which one is value for money highsun or zhongda
high sun if you wanna buy small quantity
Hi Ira, may i know the price range per meter for chiffon fabric? and price range for the fabrics you buy per meter?
So informative and helpful- thanks for sharing! Selamat Hari Raya:)
most welcome!
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Lycra and stretch fabrics? Best place?
oh I’m sorry, not too sure where exactly…
Like all the comments. Can I get a link to someone in china. I’m in Ghana and I deal in all kinds of fabrics.
You can contact me if you need any information.
can i have ur contact details sir
Highsun (Haiyin) Fabrics Market海 is smaller than Zhongda Fabric Market and is more expensive. I live in guangzhou and have compared the two markets, so if you really want cheaper materials and good material you should go to zhongda fabric market. you can also get small quantity there. for more information you should send me a mail at Toplinkgobalservices@gmail.com
Email does not exist 😦
Do you have the Dakishi material, l am traveling to Guangzhou next week on thursday
Hello, i will be traveling to Guangzhou in a weeks time. May i know which of these 2 markets is it possible for me to find high quality silk fabrics? Preferably double satin faced organza?
Thanks!
i believe there is…there’s tons of fabric shops to look at..
hi ira
do you know which of the two markets is better for the haute couture fabrics?
hi alia..it depends how much you’re planning to buy. if alot, then definately i would recommend zhongda
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
Hi,
Do you know if Zhongda is open on weekends?
Hi Mim, most shops close on Sunday
Hi ira this article was very helpful. Did you carry the fabrics back with you or they couriered it ?
Hi Navna! manage to put all in my luggage 🙂
hi my whatsup no 00923332018092 i interested to bubuy fabric and garment accessories
Hello there,
Thank you for a very informative article!
I am in search of cotton velour. Is it difficult to explain what you need of a specific typr of fabric to the chinese? I prefer not to feel for fabrics to detemine whether it is velour or not and scour the whole market just to get this fabric. Or do i need a translator for this? Tia for your response!
Diyana
Hi Diyana, sorry for the late response.
To save time, yes its best for you to find a translator to help out – or if you can find a friend / someone to translate it and write in mandarin
hope this helps.
Hello Ira
How much will a translator cost per day.
Hello,
tq for the sharing information.Did the interpreter trustworthy and helpful in dealing with the supplier. Im planning to go there for canton fair and looking for interpreter if its worth to have. what would u say. thanks.
Hi there, yes the one we hired was reliable and can communicate well in English
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
Thank you so much. Great information!!
I’m actually planning a trip to Goungzhou to buy fabrics. This is very helpful
Hey there! I want to purchase traditional fabrics for Pakistani ladies. Right now I cant be there, so I want contact number of any wholesaler there. Hope you understood 🙂
Waiting for your early reply,
Ahmed
Hi ira, I will come to China at April last week ,so please u inform me where is value addition work on fabric like extra ordinary work on finish fabrics jast like ladies dupatta ,scarf & stolls . Thanks
Hi, great and informative write up! Do you have an email address where I can reach you? I do have a handful of questions from types of laces to the interpreter from Chinafabrix. Hoping to hear from you!
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
Hi Ira – thanks for your write ups, they’re a source of invaluable information for me.
Would you mind if I ask you for a piece of an advice? I’m starting a niché outdoor sports clothing line, and I’m searching for good quality polyester/nylon waterproof + breathable fabrics available in smaller volumes (>20 yards). I need a good selection of weights, weavings, textures etc to be able to make design decisions, and then order more (hundreds yards). The choice of such fabrics in European shops is VERY poor, and I’m considering a trip to Hong Kong or Guangzhou (or both?). Do you think it is a good idea? Or shall I save money and try something different?
The fabrics I’m looking for are normally quite expensive and rare, and I’m not sure that the markets such as the ones you’ve described carry them. Or do they?
Hi ira can you please give your contact details i want to know some information about fabric buying from china
Hi Ira
Where is Japan fabric market located?
nanda. I need to know do we get laces and borders in ZhongDa market or any other market could anyone knows pls reply ira stones work lace
honestly..agak2 bleh survive tak tanpa translater?
Hey Ira,
Thanks for sharing your information it was quite amazing. I will suggest you for the next time you can hire professional sourcing agents.
Hello Gabriel, can you forward contact of any reliable, english speaking sourcing agent for fabric in China. Thanks
My watsaap no.is.(+919727512467) i m frm india.
I need textiles use fabrics …used in sarees..
…garments…dresses….hhandicraft.. etc…diffrent and fancy fabrics…
ma name is fahad plz send me contect number my we chat number 03322058927 i neend textiles fabrics
hi i am pakistani plz contect me my wechat number 03322058927 i neend garment fabrics plzzzzzzzzzz contect me
wholeseale 100% cotton fabric poly cotton fabric for shirts ,uniforms ,workwear with best price and quality
Dear sir ,
Glad to find your contact on website .This is sunny from Textile Fabric Manufacturer of China .
The follow is our factory information :
1)Mainly production :100%Cotton,Polyester&Cotton,Polyester&Viscose fabrics
2)Quality standard :OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
3)Mainly yarns:45*45,30*30,21*21,20*20,20*16,16*12,16*16,14*12,32/S ,canvas
4)Ending use : shirts ,uniform ,workwear ,causual clothes and so on
5)Exported market :Europe (UK ,France,Italy),Australia ,USA ,Sorth America and Africa
If u have interest ,please feel free to contact with us ,reply in 24 hours !
Regards
Sunny
Dezhou Yimin Textile Co.,LTD .
Mobile:008615653400569
Whatsapp:+8615653400569
Skype:sunnylovelifeforever
wechat:15653400569
Website : http://www.dzymtex.com
Add:Room 588,No.1509 Youth Road,dezhou city,shandong,China
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Hi Ira,
where you get the translator when in guangzhou?
Thank you
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
Hello there
I am a New Zealander and I plan to travel to Guangzhou in a months time. I want to start a business digitally printing onto Flax Linen to make into soft furnishings. I want to go to the Zhongda Fabric Market to buy Linen and other fabrics. I need to find a reputable and high quality digital printing service that would be able to print on pure flax linen. Alibaba and the internet is overwhelming …
Do you have any tips for me in finding such a place?
Many thanks
Katie Theunissen
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
hi im from mauritius i need ladies printed fabrics so please if you can help me thanks
Hi there:
This is Celine from Guangzhou,I have been working as business interpreter and agent for 10 years, please allow me to introduce myself as follows(P.S:.I have my own car
10 years experiences in export business, Well know the local resources, professional in sourcing. Sociable, flexible, effective communicator, excellent in negotiation.Responsible in quality control & inspection.
Contact:
Celine
Cell: (0086)18144862848
Email: 183228575@qq.com
Add: 16th Huacheng Dadao,Zhujiang Newtown,Guangzhou,China
Hi I’m heading to china for fabric this summer I’m looking to buy by the roll 30-40meters ect can you please tell me where is the cheepest place to go and also how do you get it back to your home country ?
hi. plz give me guangzhou stock load market. address…..plz anybody help me…plz plz
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Hi ira can you please give your contact details i want to know some information about fabric buying from china
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