Taobao – China’s Largest Online Shopping Marketplace

Explore millions of products, trusted Chinese sellers, and the best deals on China’s most popular shopping platform.

What Is Taobao?

Taobao is China’s largest online shopping platform, founded by Alibaba Group. It’s a C2C marketplace where millions of sellers offer products in every category imaginable, from fashion and electronics to home goods and more. With millions of active users, Taobao is a hub for bargain hunting, product variety, and competitive pricing.

Key Features

Massive Product Variety

Taobao offers a wide range of categories and an extensive selection from countless sellers.

Low Prices & Huge Deals

Enjoy highly competitive pricing, exclusive discounts and frequent seasonal promotions.

Global Shipping Options

Access reliable international delivery through Taobao Global or trusted forwarding partners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Lowest prices in China
Millions of product options
Buyer protection via AliPay
Strong seller ratings system

Cons

Language barrier for non-Chinese speakers
Some sellers don’t ship internationally
Shipping times may vary
Product quality varies by seller

Taobao vs. Tmall vs. 1688

Platform	Taobao	Tmall	1688
Type	C2C	B2C	B2B
Best For	Bargains	Official Stores	Bulk Purchases
Price	Cheapest	Mid-Range	Wholesale Deals
Product Variety	Huge	Limited to Official Stores	Bulk & Wholesale Products

Taobao, Tmall, and 1688 are all key platforms under Alibaba Group but serve different audiences and offer distinct shopping experiences.

Taobao is perfect for bargain hunters and offers millions of products from individual sellers.
Tmall focuses on official brand stores, offering higher quality but with slightly higher prices.
1688 is Alibaba’s B2B platform, mainly focused on wholesale purchasing. It’s ideal for bulk buying but requires a third-party agent for international buyers.

Shopping Tips

1 Check Seller Ratings

Prefer Diamond/Crown sellers with many completed orders and photo reviews. Avoid shops with little activity or poor feedback.

2 Use Image Search

Use Taobao’s image search to find the same item from different sellers, compare prices and identify possible factory sources.

3 Read Buyer Photos

Photo reviews reveal real color, material, fit and packaging quality better than text alone, especially for fashion and home items.

4 Compare Shipping Options

Consolidated shipping is often cheaper for multiple items, while direct shipping may be faster but more.
expensive. Check any restrictions for liquids, batteries or cosmetics.

5 Use Measurements in cm

Chinese sizes differ from EU/US sizes. Focus on centimeter measurements and compare with buyer height/weight for clothes and shoes.

6 Use Tmall/JD for High-Value Items

For expensive branded products, consider Tmall or JD.com for better authenticity assurance and after-sales service.

International Shipping

Taobao supports direct or consolidated shipping to selected countries/regions such as:

Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan
Singapore, Malaysia
Japan, South Korea
Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines
United States, Canada
Australia, New Zealand

Availability depends on:

Seller shipping options
Product type
Logistics partner
Destination restrictions

If your country is not supported:
You can use a Taobao agent / freight forwarder to purchase and ship items internationally.

FAQs

1. Can I use Taobao if I don’t speak Chinese?: Yes. Use browser translation or a Taobao agent if needed.
2. Does Taobao ship to my country?: Some countries are supported directly; others require agents/forwarders.
3. Is Taobao safe for overseas buyers?: Generally yes—if you choose reputable sellers and rely on Alipay escrow.
4. Taobao vs Tmall vs 1688: which should I choose?