What is Taobao?
Taobao, launched by Alibaba Group in 2003, is one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms, hosting millions of sellers ranging from major brand flagship stores to small independent retailers. It offers an exceptionally wide variety of products—from clothing, electronics, and beauty products to furniture, pets, and even real estate—catering to every budget with prices spanning from under ¥1 to tens of millions of yuan.
Key Features of Taobao:
- Seller Diversity: Includes both official brand stores and small/individual sellers
- Product Range: Covers almost every category imaginable
- Price Spectrum: Caters to all budgets, from ultra-low to luxury
- Accessibility: User-friendly platform with extensive search and filtering options
When Will there be Discounts on Taobao?
When it comes to online shopping on Taobao, its shopping festivals are undoubtedly a highlight. From time to time, the Taobao platform hosts large-scale promotional events such as the Lunar New Year Sale, the Mid-Year 618 Shopping Festival, and the Double 11 Global Shopping Festival.
Taobao shopping festivals typically last from several days to a few weeks. Below is a roundup of Taobao’s must-not-miss shopping festivals in 2025:
- January: Spring Festival Sale
- March: 38 Queen’s Day (focusing on products for women)
- May: Labor Day Promotion
- June: 618 Mid-Year Sale — many merchants clear mid-year inventory and launch new products
- September: 99 Bargain Festival — promotions often target daily necessities and seasonal goods, and coincide with Teachers' Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival with special gifts and packaging
- November: Double 11 (Singles' Day)
- December: Double 12 — an extension of Double 11 with more participation from small and medium-sized sellers
Taobao Shopping Guide: How Can Foreigners Shop on Taobao?
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Wondering if you can shop on Taobao while living abroad? Actually, Taobao’s global services are well-developed, and as long as you master the steps of registration, payment, and logistics, shopping from overseas is easy.
- Registering for Taobao: First, download the Taobao app and register using your local phone number. If that doesn’t work, try using a phone number from Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan (your own or a relative’s).
- Payment Methods: Taobao primarily uses Alipay as its payment tool. You can link an overseas credit card or e-wallet to Alipay to make payments. Alternatively, you can pay directly with international credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, or JCB, though additional service fees usually apply.
- International Logistics
There are two main shipping methods: consolidated shipping and direct shipping.
- Direct shipping: The seller ships the item directly overseas. Delivery is faster, but each package requires separate shipping fees.
- Consolidated shipping: The seller first sends the items to a domestic warehouse. Once all items arrive, they are combined into one package and shipped overseas.
Currently, Taobao’s official logistics services support Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Australia, and New Zealand. If you live in a region not covered by Taobao’s official logistics, you can consider using a third-party consolidated shipping service.
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Taobao vs. Other Shopping Platforms
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For Australian consumers, the choice of shopping platform depends heavily on what they are looking for. Taobao occupies a unique niche, while other platforms cater to different needs. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences.
Feature | Taobao | eBay Australia | Amazon Australia |
Primary Origin | China | Mixed (AU & Int'l) | Mixed (AU & Int'l) |
Product Type | Everything (unbranded, custom, niche) | Mixed (new/used, generic/branded) | Branded, Commodities |
Language | Mandarin Chinese/English | English | English |
Price (Base) | Lowest | Medium (marked up) | Competitive |
Shipping Time | Slow (2-6 weeks) | Fast (if local seller) | Very Fast (1-2 days) |
Payment | Alipay + Fees | PayPal/Cards | Int'l Cards |
Taobao vs. Other Chinese E-Commerce Platforms
Source from Unsplash
Feature | Taobao | JD.com | Pinduoduo | Xiaohongshu |
Primary Focus | Everything. Largest marketplace with immense variety. | Electronics, appliances, & fast logistics | Ultra-low prices, group buying, bargains | Lifestyle inspiration, reviews, and shopping |
Pricing | Lowest possible, highly competitive (both new & used). | Competitive, often focused on value over lowest price | The absolute lowest, often for bulk/group orders | Varies; premium for curated/trendy items |
Key Strength | Unbeatable variety, custom-made goods, deep cultural trends. | Unbeatable variety, custom-made goods, deep cultural trends. | Rock-bottom pricing and social viral deals | Discovery and trust via user-generated reviews and content |
Main Weakness | Can be overwhelming. Risk of counterfeits. Requires due diligence. | Less variety for niche, unbranded, or custom products vs. Taobao | Quality can be inconsistent. Perception of lower-tier goods | Not a full marketplace; smaller product range focused on lifestyle |
How to use Taobao?
Source from TechCrunsh
There is no English interface for Taobao website, but you can access Taobao app English version. For website users, I recommend you use google translate of Chrome.
For beginners, the first step in learning how to use Taobao is registration. New users might find certain aspects unfamiliar. From registration to placing an order, each step has its own tips and tricks. Today, let me walk you through a beginner’s guide to Taobao!
How to Register and Complete Real-Name Verification on Taobao?
- Visit Taobao’s Official Website
Open your browser and enter Taobao’s official URL. - Click "Register"
On the top-right corner of the homepage, you’ll find the "Register" button. Click it. - Fill in Your Details
Follow the instructions to enter your mobile number, set a password, and provide other required information. - Complete Real-Name Verification
To ensure secure shopping, Taobao requires real-name verification. Simply follow the instructions and upload photos of the necessary documents.
Setting Up Shipping Address and Payment Method
- Access Your Personal Center
After registration, click on the profile icon in the top-right corner to enter your personal center. - Add a Shipping Address
Under "My Address Book," click "Add New Address" and fill in your detailed shipping information. - Choose a Payment Method
Taobao supports various payment methods, such as Alipay and credit cards. Select your preferred option and complete the setup as guided.
Then you can browse the products you need and Enjoy your Taobao online shopping!
Recommendations for other China Apps
Source from ABC News
App Name | Category | Primary Use | Key Features |
WeChat | Super App | Messaging, Payments, Social Media | All-in-one app: messaging, social feed (Moments), mobile payments (WeChat Pay), official accounts, mini-programs. |
Alipay | Payments & Finance | Mobile Payments, Financial Services | Primary payment app. Can link international credit cards for use in China. Manages bills, investments, and more. |
DiDi | Transportation | Ride-Hailing (China's Uber) | Hails taxis, private cars, and bikes. Offers English interface and supports international credit cards. |
Amap | Navigation | Maps & Directions | Superior to Google Maps in China. Offers real-time traffic, detailed directions, and public transport routes. |
Trip.com | Travel | Booking Flights, Trains, Hotels | The leading app for booking domestic travel. Reliable for high-speed rail tickets and English support. |
Meituan | Food & Services | Food Delivery, Hotel Booking, Tickets | A "everything app" for services: food delivery (like DoorDash), hotel bookings, movie tickets, and more. |
JD.com | Shopping | E-Commerce (Electronics, Authentic Goods) | Known for reliable, fast delivery of authentic electronics and higher-end goods. |
VPN App | Tools | Internet Access | Provides access to Google, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other restricted services. |
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FAQs about Taobao China
Is Taobao available in English?
Yes, Taobao now offers an official English-language interface in select regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, by changing the app's region settings to English. For other users, you can use a web browser like Google Chrome to translate the website into English by right-clicking on the page or using the translate icon in the address bar.What is Taobao in China?
Taobao is China's largest consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online marketplace, owned by Alibaba Group and often compared to eBay or Amazon. Founded in 2003, it allows individuals and small businesses to sell a wide variety of goods—from cosmetics and electronics to unique local products and daily necessities—directly to consumers at competitive prices. The platform integrates with the Alipay payment system and is used by millions of Chinese consumers.Is Taobao cheaper than other sites?
Some Reddit users agree that Taobao is cheaper and offers wider product categories, while AliExpress is easier to use due to its English-interface and straightforward international shipping. International shipping for Taobao can be confusing because the cost might vary – you might have to pay more than you expect.