Hangzhou Silk City

Hangzhou Silk City, on Xinhua Road in Xiacheng District, is a multi-story wholesale and retail complex housing more than 600 vendors and is often cited as China's largest dedicated silk market, reflecting Hangzhou's centuries-long role as one of the country's principal silk-producing centers. Goods range from raw mulberry silk sold by the meter to finished garments, scarves, ties, cheongsam dresses, and silk-filled duvets, giving shoppers far more depth and variety than a general clothing market. Quality varies by floor and vendor: stalls run by established silk mills tend to sell genuine mulberry silk with visible sheen and a distinctive slightly rough texture, while some ground-floor stalls mix in cheaper polyester blends marketed as silk, so buyers should ask vendors directly whether a piece is 100% mulberry silk and check for a burn-test or fabric-tag guarantee. Bargaining is standard practice on nearly every floor, particularly for bulk fabric purchases, though some fixed-price boutique counters selling branded silk goods do not negotiate. Vendors overwhelmingly accept WeChat Pay and Alipay, with cash also welcome; foreign cards are rarely usable at individual stalls. Tax refunds are not typically available at this market since it is not a designated tax-free retailer. The market is calmer on weekday mornings and becomes crowded with tour groups in early afternoon. Simple food stalls and tea counters are scattered near the entrances, though the complex is primarily retail rather than dining-focused. The upper floors, where finished garments and made-to-order tailoring counters cluster, are considered the must-visit corners for genuine silk clothing.