Best 27 China Online Shopping Sites to Buy That You Must Know!

According to the International Trade Administration, China is the world’s largest e-commerce market, accounting for nearly 50% of the global transaction volume. It is estimated that by 2024, China’s online digital transactions will reach $35.6 trillion. This is a market with tremendous profit potential, providing significant opportunities for businesses looking to expand their influence and increase revenue.

The Chinese e-commerce platform market is continuously evolving, with innovative platforms emerging and mature platforms evolving to adapt to the rapidly changing e-commerce trends.

By understanding these platforms, brands can adjust their marketing strategies and products to reach different specific users on each platform. Brands can also optimize their product listings, pricing strategies, and promotional plans to enhance market competitiveness.

Overall, for brands looking to seize opportunities and succeed in the Chinese market, a thorough understanding of China’s leading e-commerce platforms is essential.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the top 15 e-commerce platforms in China, referencing data from reputable sources such as SimilarWeb and Statista, as well as official reports from the platforms themselves.

While there may be slight variations in the data, the compiled information accurately represents the scale, popularity, estimated web traffic (including data from mobile apps and mini-programs), unique features, and demographics of each platform. By leveraging this data, readers will gain valuable insights into the unique strengths and commercial potential of each platform.

1. China Online Shopping Sites:Taobao

Website: http://www.taobao.com

• Monthly Visits: 324.9 million
• Device Distribution: 49.26% Desktop, 50.74% Mobile
• Number of Users: 876 million (as of 2022)

Taobao is China’s largest C2C and B2C e-commerce marketplace. Launched by the Alibaba Group in 2003, Taobao provides a platform for individuals and small businesses to create online stores and sell products. Taobao primarily serves individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises, while Tmall (including Tmall Global) caters to larger enterprises.

Special Features of Taobao

Taobao stands out as an online shopping website due to its wide range of products, catering to almost every type of consumer need, with a fairly balanced gender ratio among users. It also provides a platform for young entrepreneurs and small businesses to connect with consumers in the Greater China region.

Since each product has multiple sellers, buyers can easily compare prices of similar or identical items and make informed decisions using seller information, reviews, ratings, and scores.

Taobao’s impact on the Chinese e-commerce market has been further strengthened with the introduction of Alipay, one of China’s two major payment systems.

Taobao and Tmall pioneered the transformation of “Double Eleven” into a nationwide shopping festival in 2009, conducting various discount activities, leading to shopping frenzies.

2. China Online Shopping Sites:Pinduoduo

• Website: http://www.pinduoduo.com
• Monthly Visits: 261.1 million
• Device Distribution: 2.79% Desktop, 97.21% Mobile
• Number of Users: 869 million (as of 2022)

Pinduoduo is a Chinese e-commerce giant founded by Huang Zheng in 2015. The company initially operated as an online retailer specializing in agricultural products before evolving into a third-party platform. Pinduoduo is now an all-in-one shop, connecting merchants and customers across different product categories. The company’s innovative business model and unique e-commerce approach help differentiate it from other players in the market.

Special Features of Pinduoduo

Pinduoduo is renowned for its highly attractive prices, with discounts of up to 90%. What sets Pinduoduo apart from other e-commerce platforms is its unique “group buying” model. Instead of traditional methods of searching for specific products, Pinduoduo groups discounted products by category and presents them to users in a virtual marketplace-like format, with each page being highly dynamic and personalized.

Users can scroll through and explore different products, with the core of this model being an engaging group-buying experience. Pinduoduo’s viral popularity can be attributed to its social sharing feature, allowing users to share product information on social networking platforms such as WeChat and QQ. Users can enjoy group-buying discounts and lower prices by forming group-buying teams and inviting their contacts to join.

3. JD.com

• Website: http://www.jd.com
• Monthly Visits: 144.1 million
• Device Distribution: 50.48% Desktop, 49.52% Mobile
• App Users: 580.5 million (data sourced from JD.com)

JD.com is one of China’s largest e-commerce companies. Founded by Liu Qiangdong in 1998, it initially started as an online magneto-optical store. Since then, JD.com has expanded its repertoire to become a comprehensive online shopping mall, offering a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, food, and cosmetics. The company has its own warehouse network, ensuring fast and reliable logistics services nationwide.

Special Features of JD.com

JD.com is committed to creating an efficient and reliable logistics system. JD.com has achieved significant milestones, such as creating the world’s first fully automated warehousing service center and developing automated delivery vehicles.

JD.com has invested heavily in research and development, particularly in areas such as smart logistics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. JD.com aims to provide a trusted retail platform for global customers, build comprehensive distribution channels, and establish an international cross-border trade platform.

Intellectual property is also a valuable asset for JD.com, and the company takes the protection of its innovation and intellectual property very seriously.

4. Douyin

• Website: http://www.douyin.com
• Monthly Visits: 134.8 million
• Device Distribution: 62.27% Desktop, 37.73% Mobile
• Number of Users: 730 million

Douyin is a social media app developed by ByteDance in 2016, allowing users to create and share short videos with various filters and effects. However, by 2018, Douyin gradually transformed into an e-commerce platform, allowing creators to add third-party products and store links through a shopping cart icon, directly redirecting users to these stores.

In the same year, Douyin launched its native e-commerce system, Douyin Shop, enabling direct product sales within Douyin. Douyin continues to enhance its e-commerce platform, increasing third-party platform sales commissions in 2020 and restricting the link between live commerce flows and third-party platforms. Since 2020, the total value of goods in the Douyin Market has tripled, securing a place in the Chinese e-commerce market.

Special Features of Douyin E-commerce

Douyin’s e-commerce platform seamlessly integrates social media with shopping experiences, setting it apart. With its strong user base and advanced algorithm system, Douyin’s “interest-based e-commerce” service utilizes data analysis technology to recommend products that match users’ interests and needs. Douyin has created a unique native shopping experience, allowing users to watch videos, share products, and place orders for a complete and smooth shopping process within the app.

5. Tmall

• Website: http://www.tmall.com
• Monthly Visits: 82 million
• Device Distribution: 80.45% Desktop, 19.55% Mobile
• Number of Users: 124 million

Tmall was first launched by the Alibaba Group in 2008 as a derivative product of Taobao. In 2011, Tmall became an independent platform with its own domain name. Tmall aims to sell branded products to consumers in mainland China. Tmall has become one of China’s largest and most trusted B2C e-commerce platforms.

Special Features of Tmall

Tmall’s unique selling point is its focus on brand authenticity and quality. Tmall only allows official brand stores to operate on its platform, ensuring that customers can trust the authenticity of the products they purchase. Tmall also provides various tools and services to help brands increase their influence on the platform, including advertising, personalized customization, interactive dynamic cards, and data analysis services.

Like Taobao, Tmall offers a wide range of product categories but focuses on high-end and luxury goods, making it the preferred platform for consumers seeking high-quality products.

6. Xiaohongshu (RED)

• Website: http://www.xiaohongshu.com
• Monthly Visits: 134.9 million
• Device Distribution: 22.03% Desktop, 77.97% Mobile
• Number of Users: 163 million, with rapid growth momentum

Xiaohongshu, founded in 2013, is a social e-commerce platform similar to Instagram. Initially a platform for sharing travel and lifestyle tips, Xiaohongshu quickly evolved into an e-commerce platform for domestic and international brands. Xiaohongshu is particularly popular among millennials and Generation Z, with over two-thirds of its users being female.

Special Features of Xiaohongshu

Xiaohongshu’s e-commerce service is content-driven, with users creating and sharing content about products, brands, and lifestyles on the platform. Xiaohongshu emphasizes user-led content, with many product reviews and recommendations coming from its active user community. This creates a strong sense of trust and credibility for consumers.

Users can share their shopping experiences and product reviews with friends, follow influencers and celebrities, and directly purchase products within Xiaohongshu. With a large user base, Xiaohongshu attracts young, affluent Chinese consumers interested in high-quality products and international brands.

7. Dangdang

• Website: https://www.dangdang.com/
• Monthly Visits: 2.219 million
• Device Distribution: 79.37% Desktop, 20.63% Mobile

Dangdang was founded in July 2008 by Yu Yu and her husband, Li Guoqing. Initially, Dangdang was an online bookstore and gradually expanded to sell various products, including electronics, household appliances, and clothing.

Dangdang is known for its wide product selection, competitive prices, and excellent customer service. The company frequently offers various discounts and promotions, striving to provide the best market prices. It has a good reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, garnering loyal followers in China.

8. Kaola

• Website: http://www.kaola.com
• Monthly Visits: 264.518 million
• Device Distribution: 50.76% Desktop, 49.24% Mobile
• Number of Users: 5.1 million

Kaola is a Chinese cross-border e-commerce platform founded by NetEase in 2015 and acquired by Alibaba in 2019. It is one of China’s largest cross-border e-commerce platforms, enabling Chinese consumers to purchase international branded products. Kaola’s primary users are young, affluent consumers looking for high-quality imported products.

Kaola has been very successful since its inception, and its sales are expected to continue growing in the coming years as more Chinese consumers show interest in buying imported products. Kaola offers a variety of international brand products for users to choose from and places great emphasis on quality control. Kaola also provides various exclusive discounts and promotions for customers.

9. Vipshop

• Website: http://www.vip.com
• Monthly Visits: 4.626 million
• Device Distribution: 52.87% Desktop, 47.13% Mobile

Vipshop was founded in 2008 as an online discount retailer, selling various products, including fashion, home goods, and electronics.

Vipshop’s business model is based on flash sales, meaning products are sold at discounted prices for a limited time. Vipshop partners with over 20,000 brands to offer such flash sales services.

Vipshop has a successful track record in China and is now expanding its business footprint to Southeast Asia.

In 2022, Vipshop was listed in Singapore and launched its app in several other countries in the region. Vipshop aims to replicate its success in China in Southeast Asia.

10. Yhd.com

Website: http://www.yhd.com

Monthly Visits: 96.19 million

Device Distribution: 35.80% Desktop, 64.20% Mobile

Yhd.com is a Chinese e-commerce company founded by Yu Gang, a former executive at Walmart, in July 2008.

Initially, Yhd.com was an online grocery store and gradually expanded into other product categories. In 2015, Yhd.com was acquired by Walmart. Subsequently, in 2018, Walmart sold 80% of its stake in the company to Chinese retail giant JD.com, and Yhd.com now operates as a subsidiary of JD.com.

The platform is known for emphasizing product quality and authenticity and uses advanced technology and logistics to provide fast and reliable delivery for customers. The company has a strong brand reputation and a loyal customer base. Yhd.com has the capability to continue growing in the Chinese e-commerce market.

11. Smzdm.com

• Website: http://www.smzdm.com
• Monthly Visits: 37.34 million
• Device Distribution: 82.10% Desktop, 17.90% Mobile

Smzdm.com was founded by Sui Guodong in 2011, inspired by the success of other market marketing websites in the United States.

The website quickly gained popularity among Chinese consumers seeking economical and money-saving online shopping options. Smzdm.com combines the e-commerce space with a comprehensive “buyer’s guide”; users can share product reviews, coupons, and other shopping information on the website.

Smzdm.com does not directly sell products. Instead, when users click on links to purchase products, the website earns commissions from retailers. This allows Smzdm.com to offer users a wider range of products and services than other e-commerce platforms.

Smzdm.com‘s primary users are young, urban shoppers who are savvy about shopping online. They are committed to seeking the most cost-effective shopping deals online. Meanwhile, Smzdm.com is also popular among students and those who hope to effectively save money in their daily lives.

12. Suning

• Website: http://www.suning.com
• Monthly Visits: 5.9 million
• Device Distribution: 35.88% Desktop, 64.19% Mobile

Suning is a Chinese e-commerce platform founded in 1990 as a small air conditioning sales company in Nanjing. Over the years, Suning has expanded its business scope to become a large-scale retail enterprise selling electronics, appliances, daily necessities, and other consumer goods.

What sets Suning apart from other popular e-commerce platforms in China is its omni-channel retail strategy and state-of-the-art logistics services. The company has established an extensive network of physical stores nationwide, allowing customers to pick up their online orders from Suning’s brick-and-mortar stores, providing greater convenience and flexibility. Additionally, Suning has been actively expanding its business by collaborating with companies in various industries such as real estate and financial services to create an integrated lifestyle platform.

Suning has invested heavily in customer service training and technology, such as AI-driven chatbots and voice assistants, to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience. Suning also offers a “worry-free return policy,” allowing customers to easily and quickly return items. Suning has become one of China’s most outstanding e-commerce companies, with a strong focus on customer experience, omni-channel retail, and strategic partnerships.

13. Meituan

• Website: meituan.com
• Estimated Monthly Traffic: 9.5M
• Rank: #5.1K Global, #131 in China

Meituan, founded in 2010, originally emerged as a group buying website. Over time, it strategically consolidated with various other services, gradually transforming into China’s premier deal-of-the-day group buying platform, capturing an impressive 60% share of the market. The platform’s offerings have diversified significantly, encompassing a broad spectrum of services ranging from hotel reservations and ticket bookings to bicycle rentals. Notably, Meituan prioritizes customer satisfaction and convenience, evident through its robust customer service framework and user-friendly refund policies. In a significant move, Meituan merged with Dianping in September 2020, further solidifying its dominance in the market. This strategic integration led to the rebranding of the combined entity as Meituan-Dianping.

14. Dianping

• Website: dianping.com
• Estimated Monthly Traffic: 7.8M
• Rank: #8.2K Global, #199 in China

While not categorized as an eCommerce marketplace, Dianping holds substantial influence within the Chinese digital ecosystem as the largest review platform. Users extensively utilize Dianping to provide feedback on a diverse array of services, spanning from restaurants and spas to pet stores and wedding services. The platform’s versatility is evident, with food-related establishments being the most frequently reviewed. Dianping’s comprehensive database of user-generated reviews serves as a valuable resource for consumers seeking insights and recommendations.

15. Amazon China

• Website: amazon.cn
• Estimated Monthly Traffic: 3.4M
• Rank: #12.3K Global, #328 in China

Amazon’s journey in the Chinese market traces back to 2004 when it established its Chinese branch. Despite concerted efforts spanning over a decade, the international retail giant announced its withdrawal from the Chinese domestic market after encountering formidable challenges. However, Amazon maintains a strategic presence in China, particularly in cross-border trade, electronic book sales, logistics, and cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS).

16. VMall

• Website: vmall.com
• Estimated Monthly Traffic: 3.5M
• Rank: #16K Global, #397 in China

VMall exemplifies an eCommerce platform operated exclusively by Huawei, a leading technology company. While primarily serving as a distribution channel for Huawei’s extensive range of products, including smartphones and laptops, VMall also collaborates with smaller brands that complement Huawei’s offerings. This strategic partnership approach enables VMall to enrich its product portfolio and cater to a broader range of consumer preferences.

17. Xiaomi

Xiaomi, a trailblazer in the realm of technology, has revolutionized the consumer electronics landscape since its inception. Established with a vision to provide cutting-edge technology at affordable prices, Xiaomi has rapidly grown into a global powerhouse renowned for its innovative products.

From smartphones and laptops to smart home devices and wearables, Xiaomi’s product lineup embodies a perfect blend of innovation, quality, and affordability. With a commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo, Xiaomi continues to spearhead technological advancements that enrich the lives of millions worldwide.

Embracing a customer-centric approach, Xiaomi prioritizes user feedback and market trends to develop products that resonate with modern lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking state-of-the-art smartphones or exploring the possibilities of smart home automation, Xiaomi remains at the forefront, delivering unparalleled value and innovation to its ever-expanding customer base.

The Best 10 Chinese Shopping Sites That Ship to the US

While AliExpress stands as a household name in online shopping, a myriad of other Chinese platforms extends their reach to the US market. Beyond luxury labels, these platforms offer a treasure trove of affordable electronics, essential apparel, and household essentials. Here’s a curated selection of the finest Chinese shopping destinations catering to American customers.

18.  Alibaba

Alibaba, spearheaded by the visionary Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma, stands tall as China’s premier online commerce platform. With a global footprint spanning over 200 nations, Alibaba commands the title of the world’s largest e-commerce hub by several measures. Boasting millions of online users and a plethora of businesses, Alibaba has skyrocketed to a valuation exceeding $500 billion.

Within its expansive marketplace, suppliers showcase the finest offerings, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction experience. Alibaba prioritizes seller integrity by implementing robust item security measures, fostering trust among buyers. With user-friendly navigation and secure payment options, Alibaba emerges as a cornerstone of modern commerce. Leveraging Alibaba’s platform, importers can effortlessly source bulk goods from China, tapping into its vast array of products.

One notable highlight of Alibaba is its stringent verification process for suppliers, effectively shielding buyers from counterfeit products. This emphasis on authenticity enhances the platform’s credibility, offering peace of mind to users navigating its vast marketplace.

19. AliExpress

AliExpress stands as a beacon in the realm of Chinese online shopping, renowned for its widespread recognition and staggering revenue surpassing $55 billion. As the largest platform of its kind, AliExpress eclipses even industry giants like eBay, underscoring its dominance in the digital marketplace.

Distinguished by its unique business model, AliExpress distinguishes itself from traditional retailers like Amazon by serving as an intermediary between buyers and third-party sellers. While its seller base predominantly hails from China, AliExpress also hosts vendors from various Southeast Asian nations, enriching its product diversity.

A hallmark of AliExpress is its shipping versatility, offering a spectrum of delivery options to cater to diverse needs. While many vendors extend the perk of free shipping, customers must anticipate longer delivery times. Alternatively, expedited shipping services via DHL, UPS, FedEx, and other reputable couriers provide swifter delivery for a nominal fee.

Before embarking on a purchasing journey, prudent shoppers are encouraged to peruse AliExpress’s comprehensive guide to safeguard against potential scams. Despite any apprehensions, rest assured that AliExpress maintains its integrity as a trustworthy Chinese online shopping destination, a fact underscored by its widespread acclaim and positive user experiences.

20. Banggood

Venture into the expansive world of Banggood, a prominent player in the realm of Chinese online shopping. While renowned for its focus on affordable electronics, Banggood also offers an extensive array of products spanning sports equipment, fashion accessories, jewelry, and health items.

Established in 2004, Banggood boasts a rich history, earning its status as one of the pioneering Chinese websites facilitating shipments to the United States. Beyond its American presence, Banggood operates as a global entity, serving customers worldwide with few exceptions.

While some fortunate orders qualify for complimentary shipping, shoppers should temper their expectations as free deliveries often entail extended transit times, measured in months rather than weeks. Nonetheless, Banggood strives to accommodate diverse payment preferences, accepting major credit cards, wire transfers, and PayPal, alongside an assortment of third-party options such as iDEAL and Dotpay.

21. GearBest

Delve into the realm of GearBest, a relatively new player in the Chinese online shopping landscape compared to its predecessors. Established in 2014, GearBest has swiftly risen to prominence.

This platform boasts strong affiliations with prominent Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, offering unbeatable deals on their products that often surpass those found in domestic stores. Beyond smartphones, GearBest caters to a diverse range of needs, including categories such as Baby and Kids, Home and Garden, Appliances, Electrical and Tools, and Fashion, among others.

GearBest’s appeal extends beyond US borders, making it an attractive option for international shoppers. With the exception of Palestine and South Sudan, GearBest ships to almost every corner of the globe.

Customers have the flexibility to choose from four distinct shipping methods: Unregistered, Registered, Priority Line, and Expedited Shipping. American residents can take advantage of all four options, with Unregistered shipping offering a cost-effective solution with a delivery window of up to 45 days, while Expedited Shipping provides a swift delivery timeframe of three to seven days, albeit at a higher cost.

Furthermore, GearBest operates US-based warehouses, enhancing the efficiency and security of deliveries, particularly for non-registered shipping orders.

22. DHgate

Enter the world of DHgate, headquartered in Beijing, renowned primarily as a fashion hub. Despite its fashion-centric focus, DHgate offers a vast array of products spanning multiple categories, including electronics, home items, and more.

Whether you’re in search of budget-friendly shoes, elegant wedding attire, stylish watches, grooming essentials, or chic bags, DHgate stands ready to cater to your needs.

With a global shipping network, DHgate serves customers worldwide. For those residing in the United States, shipping options include DHL or one of DHgate’s numerous local couriers. Additionally, DHgate operates a local warehouse, ensuring expedited delivery within three days or more, sans the hassle of direct customs duty.

Opting for DHL guarantees prompt delivery within a week, whereas other carriers like China Post Air and Singapore Post may entail longer wait times, stretching beyond a month. Nevertheless, DHgate remains among the premier destinations for international shipping, offering select services free of charge.

23. YesStyle

Embark on a fashion journey with YesStyle, where style knows no bounds. Specializing in menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and lifestyle products, YesStyle caters to every fashion need imaginable, from maternity essentials to cosplay ensembles.

Distinguishing itself from other platforms, YesStyle showcases mainstream brands, with a predominant focus on Japanese and Korean labels. While these brands may not be instantly recognizable to Western audiences, fashion aficionados with a penchant for Japanese and Korean trends will find YesStyle to be a treasure trove. The site features dedicated sections highlighting the latest fashion trends from each country.

YesStyle offers complimentary shipping on select orders, with delivery times typically ranging from three to five days for Express shipping and 10-14 days for Standard shipping.

24. LightInTheBox

Embark on a global shopping adventure with LightInTheBox, your ultimate destination for a diverse range of products. With shipping services extending to over 200 countries worldwide, LightInTheBox caters to shoppers seeking clothing, small gadgets, and home and garden essentials.

Established in 2007, LightInTheBox has rapidly grown in popularity and stature. Its success was further underscored by its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2013, cementing its position as a leading player in the e-commerce industry.

Choose from a variety of shipping options tailored to suit your needs, all priced according to weight. While free shipping may not be available, LightInTheBox provides convenient courier services through trusted partners such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT. Experience swift delivery times, with estimated arrival within four to seven days, ensuring your shopping experience is both seamless and efficient.

25. Shein

Enter the world of Shein, a premier Chinese online shopping destination renowned for its vast selection of women’s fashion, alongside offerings for men and children. Renowned for its affordability, Shein stands out as one of the top Chinese clothing websites, attracting fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

When it comes to shipping to the United States, Shein provides two options: standard shipping and express shipping. Standard shipping comes at a nominal cost of $3.99 per order. However, for orders surpassing $29, shipping is offered free of charge. For those seeking expedited delivery, express shipping is available at a cost of $12.90, but it becomes complimentary for orders exceeding $129. It’s worth noting that P.O. Boxes and APO/FPO addresses are ineligible for the express shipping option.

26. GeekBuying

Embark on an electrifying journey with GeekBuying, your go-to destination for all things electronic. From 3D printers to streaming boxes, wearables to smart security systems, and tablets to much more, GeekBuying offers an extensive array of cutting-edge gadgets and gizmos.

Similar to GearBest, GeekBuying presents exclusive deals on Xiaomi smartphones, catering to tech enthusiasts with a penchant for quality at competitive prices. Moreover, the site boasts a selection of “fun” electronics, such as remote control cars and electric scooters, adding an element of excitement to your shopping experience.

While GeekBuying’s inventory is vast, it’s essential to note that not all electronic devices are available for purchase. Certain items, including smartphones like iPhones and top-tier Android phones, as well as high-ticket computer parts like graphics cards, may not be found on the platform.

In terms of shipping, GeekBuying offers free standard delivery, with a delivery window ranging from 15 to 45 days. For those seeking expedited shipping, faster methods are available, with delivery times spanning two to seven days, albeit at an additional cost.

27. RCMoment

Dive into the world of remote-controlled devices with RCMoment, your ultimate destination for thrilling gadgets like drones, cars, boats, planes, and robots.

At RCMoment, certain products qualify for complimentary shipping, enhancing your shopping experience. For those seeking expedited delivery, explore the US Warehouse section to discover items already housed on American soil. With shipping options including Air Mail, EMS, DHL, and UPS, orders from RCMoment typically arrive within three to ten working days, depending on your chosen shipping method.

The websites mentioned above are all B2C or C2C. If you’re interested in B2B, you can refer to this:29 B2B China Websites You Should Know