Markets at a glance

The fastest-moving women's fashion source in China: one tower, thousands of booths, new styles every morning. Floors 1–3 are cheap volume basics, floors 4–6 are original Korean-style design, floors 7 and up are showrooms and plus size.

The cheapest market in Guangzhou and the hardest to shop: stalls open before dawn and the best lots are gone by 9am. Best for T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, kidswear and socks bought by the pack or by weight.

The oldest and most established brand market in Guangzhou, right opposite the railway station. Clean halls, better English, stable quality and real brand showrooms — prices are two to four times Shahe, but so is the finishing.

Nine floors of Korean and European-style fashion, long known as the Korean hub of the railway-station district. Strong on trendy women's wear, designer pieces and accessories; from floor 5 up you also find men's wear.

The friendliest market for small buyers: many booths sell from one piece, English is more common and the halls are modern and air-conditioned. Strong on Korean-style women's wear and commuting styles; floors 3 to 5 are men's wear.

Two Korean-run style malls beside the railway station: neat showroom booths, brands linked to Seoul's Dongdaemun and Chinese original designers. Retail-friendly, excellent for reading trends and copying full styling looks.

The men's wear, denim and knitwear quarter next to the railway station, also home to export surplus halls. Less polished than Baima, but the best place in Guangzhou for jeans, jackets, hoodies, underwear and mixed export lots.

Come here if you want to make your own styles: thousands of shops for fabric, lining, lace, zips, buttons and labels, plus pattern makers and small-batch sewing workshops in the streets around.

South China's biggest centre for branded stock and export surplus: cancelled orders, closed stores and last-season goods from Chinese high-street brands at 10–30% of retail. Ideal for discount shops, market traders and live sellers.