Destination guide · China
China: 6 Viral Brands Cheaper Than The US
From DJI drones to “quiet luxury” bags, bypass the western markup.
I recently got back from a trip to China, and to be honest, I went a little crazy with the shopping. But can you blame me? Chinese brands are dominating global trends right now, from high-tech camera gear to “quiet luxury” bags and viral makeup, and seeing the price tags in person compared to the US markups was a total shock. Visiting China wasn't just a trip, it became a massive haul. Here are 6 viral brands that are significantly cheaper (and cooler to buy) domestically.
🎥 The creator toolkit
- 01
DJI (大疆)
The king of drones & stabilisation
The undisputed king of drones and stabilisation. If you see a crisp, cinematic “day in the life” vlog, it was probably shot on a DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Buying DJI in China isn't just about saving money, it's almost a rite of passage for serious vloggers.
- 🇺🇸 US price
- ~$670+ USD (bundle)
- 🇨🇳 China price
- ~¥3,500–¥4,000 RMB ($480–$550 USD)
- Savings
- A solid $150–$200 for your travel fund.
- 02
Insta360
Impossible shots made easy
Yes, Insta360 is 100% Chinese. They're the masters of creative, impossible-looking shots, from the invisible selfie stick to tiny GO cameras that attach anywhere. If you want those unique travel angles that stop the scroll, you need one.
- The math
- Base camera prices are better, but the real steal is on bundles and accessories, often a full kit on JD.com or in offline electronics hubs for about 20–25% less than western retail.
💄 The “it girl” aesthetic
- 01
Songmont (山下有松)
Accessible quiet luxury
Their versatile leather bags, especially the Luna “dumpling” bag, are staples for the minimalist, classy aesthetic. They feel incredibly expensive but don't flash giant logos. Visiting a Songmont flagship in Shanghai or Beijing is an experience in itself: very zen, very aesthetic.
- 🇺🇸 US price
- ~$350–$450 USD
- 🇨🇳 China price
- ~¥1,600–¥2,200 RMB ($220–$300 USD)
- Savings
- Essentially enough to buy a second bag.
- 02
Judydoll (橘朵)
The queen of C-beauty
If you love the glittery, soft, glass-skin Douyin makeup look, Judydoll is the holy grail, famous for innovative metal-rod mascaras and iced tea lip glosses. Pulling out a metal mascara shows you're deep in the beauty trenches.
- 🇺🇸 Import price
- ~$18–$20 USD
- 🇨🇳 China price
- ~¥35 RMB ($5 USD)
- Savings
- You can buy your entire face beat for the price of one high-end lipstick back home.
🧸 The lifestyle flex
- 01
Pop Mart (泡泡玛特)
Designer art toys
Right now, having a Labubu charm dangling from your luxury bag is the ultimate high-low fashion statement (thanks, Lisa from Blackpink). The Pop Mart stores in China are massive, futuristic playgrounds.
- 🇺🇸 US price
- ~$16–$20 USD per box
- 🇨🇳 China price
- ~¥59–¥69 RMB ($8–$9 USD)
- Bonus
- Access to China-exclusive series you can't get elsewhere.
- 02
Tan Mujiang (谭木匠)
Classy heritage wellness
Gorgeous, hand-carved wooden combs often inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Using a high-end wooden comb for scalp health is very “that girl” wellness, and it taps into the guochao trend, reclaiming traditional Chinese craftsmanship as modern luxury.
- 🇺🇸 Import price
- ~$50–$100+ USD
- 🇨🇳 China price
- ~¥120–¥250 RMB ($16–$35 USD)
💸 A critical money-saving tip
⚠️ The 3% surcharge trap
You've probably heard Alipay and WeChat Pay are mandatory in China. True for street food and taxis, but be careful with big purchases. If you link a foreign credit card to these apps, they usually charge a 3% transaction fee on any purchase over 200 RMB.
The strategy: brands like Songmont, DJI and Pop Mart are major retailers, so their flagships almost always have physical POS terminals. Explicitly ask to pay with your physical credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Amex): you bypass the 3% surcharge and rack up travel points.
A guide by @eileen.ines