Get glasses in Shanghai, China for just 45 USD!
Everything you need to know about buying glasses as a tourist in China.
Real, trustworthy prices, verified stores, scam alerts, and step-by-step guides.
15 cities, 40 markets, 12 languages — we take zero commission.
Which describes you?
Three common traveler types. Pick yours to get a tailored guide with recommended cities, timing, and budget tips.
City tourist
Already touring Shanghai, Beijing, or another big city? Want to fit glasses shopping into your existing itinerary without a special trip.
Wholesale sourcing trip
Interested in wholesale eyewear? Head to Zhenjiang-Danyang (the world's eyewear capital) to maximize savings, with 1,600+ vendors to choose from.
Buy online
Prefer shopping on Taobao or JD.com from your hotel? Ship to your hotel address and ask the front desk to help with returns if needed. Best for non-prescription sunglasses.
6 common steps to get glasses in China
From walking into a store to walking out with your new glasses. Most travelers finish the whole process in under 2 hours.
Browse the market
Pick a store you like at the eyewear market. Walk right in, try on frames — no appointment needed.
Free eye exam
Most stores offer a free eye test (look for shops with a licensed optometrist).
Choose frames & lenses
Thousands of frames to choose from; confirm the index, coating, and prescription.
Pay & confirm
Cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay (some larger stores accept Visa). For your own protection, ask for a written receipt.
On-site lens crafting
Watch your lenses get cut, polished, and fitted into your frames right on the spot.
Try on & pick up
Verify the prescription with a lensmeter, adjust the frames — done!
China's 15 hottest eyewear cities · 40 eyewear markets
Every eyewear market listing includes address, transport, price range, and opening hours. Click to see each city guide.
Shanghai
#01Beijing
#02Danyang
#03Shenzhen
#04Chengdu
#05Independent · Verified · Impartial
We don't sell glasses. We take no commission. We don't accept paid reviews. Every major eyewear market has been verified on the ground, so you can trust the information.
On-the-ground visits
We verify prices through field visits and user feedback, record real prices, and check lens authenticity.
Zero commission
We earn zero affiliate fees. Stores can't pay to be listed or ranked higher. Editorial decisions are not influenced by commerce.
Scam blacklist
We maintain a public blacklist exposing counterfeits, rip-offs, and consumer rights violations.
Recent warnings and alerts
Stay informed about the latest quality inspections and consumer warnings. Check before you buy.
| Date | Location | Issue | Severity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-18 | Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian | Xiamen Siming District Market Supervision Bureau: Laifu Glasses was found to sell counterfeit and rebranded myopia-control lenses for children; the situation is basically confirmed and a case has been opened. Source: CCTV.com · CCTV “News 30 Minutes” | High | Case opened |
| 2026-10-18 | Danyang, Jiangsu | Danyang Market Supervision Bureau (Jiangsu): four companies — Yaocheng Optical, Boda Optical, Duoaimei Glasses and Jicai Lenses — were found to have irregular lens labeling and to publish false advertising; cases have been opened. Source: China Economic Net · Sina (via CCTV.com) | Medium | Case opened |
| 2026-09 | Shenzhen Henggang Glasses City | A reporter visited 8 optical shops as a consumer; 5 of them proactively offered counterfeit frames of CHANEL, PRADA, GUCCI and other luxury brands, kept in closed cabinets, and some refused to be photographed. Vendors claimed they were "original factory stock," identical to boutique items. | High | Shenzhen Market Supervision Administration Longgang Bureau lawfully seized the goods suspected of trademark infringement and opened a case for investigation; Henggang Sub-district Office held an on-site meeting with the property management and eliminated safety hazards. |
| 2026-08 | Glasses market near Beijing Panjiayuan | CCTV investigation: Vendors marketed "UV-1," a grade from an obsolete standard, as equivalent to "UV400," the highest protection level; multiple shops sold "three-no" sunglasses with no implementation standard, no manufacturer and no certificate of conformity. The reporter sent 10 pairs for testing, only 1 passed. The reporter spent RMB 410 (USD 61.09) on 4 pairs; the frames and packaging had no implementation standard, manufacturer, certificate or product label. Of the 10 pairs tested, 6 had no label, 2 had unclear markings, 1 was marked Category 3 but actually measured 76.6% transmittance (actually Category 1); factory personnel said "UV400? That's all fake" and "certificates can be pasted on — products without national standards can also have them." | High | Chaoyang District Market Supervision Bureau launched a special inspection campaign, lawfully impounding suspected non-compliant and "three-no" products; the case is under further investigation. |
| 2026-06 | Shenzhen, Guangdong | 2025 product-quality supervision random inspection of eyewear: 260 batches of custom-fitted glasses, lenses and frames, 2 batches failed; failed items were "unilateral deviation between horizontal optical center and pupil" and "luminous transmittance performance." | Medium | The notice required sellers to immediately stop selling non-compliant products, to accept returns requested by consumers, and to deal with producers and sellers according to law. |