The coolest places to shop in Guangzhou

Famous for its culinary heritage, Guangzhou is also a magnet for fashion enthusiasts, design lovers and treasure hunters. What’s more, the city’s retail scene is evolving in exciting ways. Well-established shopping districts like Tianhe, a vibrant maze of malls and plazas, are joined by emerging lifestyle hotspots like Dongshankou, a historic, tree-lined neighbourhood once inhabited by Guangzhou’s elite - now home to trendy boutiques, galleries and bars. Less than 30 minutes apart, it’s easy to hop between the two districts and maximise your shopping power.

To kick off your spree, here are six standout shopping destinations in Guangzhou that showcase its unique style. 

The Hills

A must-visit spot in the heart of Dongshankou is The Hills , a retail space both hard to define and with a lot to discover. Since opening in 2017, it has lovingly sourced vintage treasures and artist-made works – think soulful furniture, evocative paintings and tactile objects that invite calm. Rooted in sustainability and community, The Hills feels like stepping into a dream home.  

Browse bookshelves, explore tastefully selected clothing or linger in a cosy living room display. Doubling as a creative hub, the space also houses a rotating gallery and hosts artist residencies, pop-up events and workshops. Keep in mind, however, that reservations are recommended at least a day in advance. 

No. 3 Xinhepu Third Cross Road, Dongshan Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Kar Room

Founded by Steven Yeung, home aesthetics brand Kar emerged from a quiet resolve to reshape how we relate to furniture and space. Its first showroom, Kar Room , opened in Guangzhou as a contemplative refuge, influenced by Chinese philosophical traditions. Yeung’s designs carry a subtle sensuality – his pieces don’t shout, but resonate. 

The space evolves frequently, with refreshed layouts and decor that invite new ways of seeing. Today, Kar has expanded beyond interiors, with a line of clothing that embodies the same minimalist elegance and philosophical roots. New stores have opened in Shanghai and Aranya, each one a quiet sanctuary that continues to bridge heritage with the present.

No. 6 Shamian South Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou 

DinShare 

Tucked away in a quieter corner of Guangzhou’s bustling Tianhe district, DinShare is easy to miss but hard to forget. Just steps from the glimmering malls of TaiKoo Hui and the city’s sleekest office towers, the brand’s flagship sits inside an unassuming residential compound on Tiyu East Road. 

DinShare is a scent label born in Guangzhou, co-founded in 2019 by accomplished perfumer Siya, media veteran Baggio, and brand strategist Samuel. With a sharp eye on Gen Z’s desire for emotionally driven, aesthetic living, DinShare offers evocative fragrances wrapped in minimalist design – always with a cultural twist.

No. 6, Nanya Yuan Community, Tiyu East Road, Guangzhou 

Zhi Fou

One of the underrated joys of shopping in Guangzhou lies in wandering into residential buildings and discovering delightful surprises. Move beyond the flash of Tianhe’s commercial core or the vintage charm of Dongshankou and head south to Zhi Fou – hidden in Jiangnanxi Qingfeng Community.  

This soulful shop, filled with handcrafted objects sourced globally by its founders, celebrates the wonder of manual craftsmanship. From ceramics to textiles, each piece invites reflection. Zhi Fou isn’t just a store – it’s a reminder that beauty thrives in unexpected places.

 Shop 102, No. 8, Lane 1, Suihua New Village, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 

Side

Side’s new three-story home at Dongshankou’s entrance is a colourful addition to the neighbourhood. Founded in 2023, the brand – which stands for Sense, Image, and Details – moved from the artistic Miaoqian West Street to this central spot. 

Each floor has a different vibe; the first floor is all about what’s trending – playful cuts, bold colours and statement silhouettes that speak to the fashion-forward. Up on the second floor, the mood softens into a genderless edit – pieces that blur boundaries and invite self-expression without labels. The third floor is a quiet celebration of independent design: minimalist garments, lesser-known names and thoughtful details that reveal themselves slowly.

No. 8, Miaoqian West Street, Dongshankou, Guangzhou 

Oasis Object

The brainchild of local high-end design firm Epic Design, Oasis Object is a haven for slow living with two Guangzhou locations. The Beidao store, in Haizhu’s creative park, is a sunlit retreat with rattan, teak and marble pieces that echo natural beauty. The Kuiyuan Park store, in a century-old villa near Dongshankou, weaves history with contemporary elegance. Curating organic, tactile designs from around the world, Oasis Object transforms shopping into a meditative dialogue between form and feeling.

Various locations including: A301, Beidao Creative Park, Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (Beidao Store)