Fitting Process: Process Overview
The complete journey from walking into a glasses market to leaving with your new glasses: choosing a shop, free eye test, selecting frames and lenses, payment and bargaining, on-site processing and final pickup check. Plain-language guidance on what to do at each step and how long it takes.
1. Arrive and choose a shop
Hundreds of shops are concentrated inside the glasses city. Walk in and browse — no appointment needed. Prioritize larger stores with a dedicated exam area and clear pricing; don't follow touts at the entrance. Compare 2–3 shops before deciding.
2. Free eye test
Most shops offer free eye tests: intake, autorefractor, manual verification with phoropter, red-green balance, and pupillary distance — about 15–30 minutes total. Before leaving the exam area, be sure to take a written prescription with SPH / CYL / AXIS / PD.
3. Choose frames and lenses
Thousands of frames to choose from. Lenses come in four index grades: 1.56 / 1.60 / 1.67 / 1.74 — the higher your prescription, the higher index you should pick. Common frame materials include acetate, alloy, pure titanium, β-titanium, TR90, etc.
4. Payment and bargaining
Cash, WeChat Pay and Alipay are the norm; large chain stores may accept Visa / Mastercard (a 3% surcharge applies to foreign cards for single transactions over RMB 200 (USD 29.80)). Always ask for the "all-in price" first — paying cash or buying two pairs usually leaves room to negotiate.
5. On-site processing and pickup time
Standard single-vision lenses are processed on the spot — exam + frame selection + edging takes about 55–75 minutes total. Progressive, high-prescription or brand-customized lenses take 1–7 days. Schedule your fitting on the first day of your trip.
6. Final pickup check
Don't rush off with your new glasses: check distance and near vision, dizziness, PD alignment, lens parameters, appearance, warranty card and receipt — one by one before leaving. Once you leave China, free adjustments and returns become very difficult.