How to Use Taobao in China: An Ultimate Guide

If you’ve spent any time in China, you’ve probably heard of Taobao—Alibaba’s e-commerce giant that’s more than just a shopping app. With over 800 million active users and 1 billion+ product listings (from cheap gadgets to luxury goods, local snacks to traditional crafts), Taobao is a one-stop shop for almost anything you need in China. But for foreigners, navigating its Chinese-dominant interface and payment systems can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to use Taobao like a local: from setting up an account and switching to English, to searching for products, paying securely, and tracking deliveries. We’ll also share pro tips to avoid common pitfalls, optimized for SEO with keywords like “Taobao for foreigners China,” “how to use Taobao in English,” “Taobao payment foreign card,” and “Taobao shopping guide.”

1. First Step: Download Taobao & Switch to English

Where to Download the App

International App Stores: Taobao’s global version (called “Taobao Global”) is available on the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Search for “Taobao Global” – look for the orange icon with a white shopping bag.
In Mainland China: If you can’t access Google Play, ask your hotel staff or local friend to download the domestic Taobao app via Huawei AppGallery or Xiaomi GetApps. The domestic version also supports English (see below).

How to Enable English (No Chinese Skills Needed!)

Both the global and domestic versions let you switch to English in 3 simple steps:

Open Taobao and tap the “Me” tab (profile icon in the bottom right corner).
Tap the gear icon ⚙️ (Settings) in the top right.
Select “Language” and choose English. The entire interface—menus, product descriptions, and checkout pages—will update instantly.

Pro Tip: If you accidentally switch back to Chinese, look for “设置” (Settings) and “语言” (Language) to revert.

2. Sign Up for Taobao: No Chinese Phone Number Required

You don’t need a Chinese phone number or bank account to create a Taobao account—great news for tourists! Here are the two easiest ways:

Option 1: Sign Up with a Foreign Phone Number (Best for Tourists)

On the login screen, tap “Sign Up” and select your country/region (e.g., “United States,” “United Kingdom”).
Enter your foreign phone number (include the country code, like +1 for the US or +44 for the UK).
Tap “Get Verification Code” – you’ll receive a 6-digit code via SMS (wait 1–2 minutes; check your spam folder if it’s missing).
Enter the code, set a password (8–20 characters, mix of letters and numbers), and tap “Complete Sign Up.”

Option 2: Sign Up with Alipay (Faster for Existing Alipay Users)

If you already use Alipay (China’s top payment app), you can log in to Taobao directly with your Alipay account:

On Taobao’s login screen, tap “Log in with Alipay.”
Enter your Alipay email/phone number and password, or scan the QR code with your Alipay app.
Confirm the login – your Taobao account will be linked to Alipay automatically, making payments seamless.

3. How to Search for Products & Find What You Want

Taobao’s search function is powerful, but using the right keywords (in English or Chinese) is key to finding exactly what you need.

Search in English (For Beginners)

Taobao’s English search works well for common items. Just type what you’re looking for in English, like:

“Silk scarf” (traditional Chinese silk scarves from Suzhou)
“Chinese green tea” (longjing or tieguanyin tea)
“Portable charger” (affordable tech gadgets)
“Children’s Chinese clothes” (traditional hanfu for kids)

After searching, use the filters (top of the results page) to narrow down options:

“Price” (set a range to avoid overspending, e.g., ¥50–¥200)
“Seller Rating” (choose 4.5+ stars for reliable sellers)
“Shipping Time” (filter for “Ships in 24h” if you need items fast)

Search in Chinese (For Hard-to-Find Items)

For niche products (e.g., local snacks, traditional crafts), use simple Chinese keywords (you can copy-paste from Google Translate!):

“北京烤鸭真空装” (vacuum-packed Peking duck, perfect for souvenirs)
“景德镇陶瓷杯” (Jingdezhen ceramic cups, famous Chinese pottery)
“四川火锅底料” (Sichuan hot pot base, to cook at your hotel)

Pro Tip: Look for products labeled “官方旗舰店” (Official Flagship Store) – these sell authentic brand-name items (e.g., Nike, Huawei) or genuine local products.

4. How to Pay for Taobao Orders (Foreign Cards Welcome!)

The biggest hurdle for foreigners is payment, but Taobao supports multiple international options:

Option 1: Pay with Alipay (Most Convenient)

If you linked Alipay to your Taobao account (see Step 2), paying takes 2 clicks:

After adding items to your cart, tap “Check Out.”
Select “Alipay” as the payment method.
Confirm the amount – Alipay will deduct funds from your linked foreign credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) or Alipay balance.

Option 2: Pay Directly with a Foreign Credit/Debit Card

You can also pay without Alipay:

At checkout, select “Credit/Debit Card” instead of Alipay.
Enter your card details (number, expiry date, CVV) and billing address.
Verify via SMS/email from your bank (some banks block overseas transactions by default – call your bank first to enable “China-based payments”).

Option 3: Pay with Taobao Gift Cards (For Cash Users)

If you prefer to use cash, buy a Taobao Gift Card at major convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Family Mart in China. Scratch the card to get a code, then enter it at checkout to pay.

5. Delivery: How to Get Your Taobao Orders

Taobao delivers to almost every address in China – hotels, apartments, offices, even hostels. Here’s how to set your delivery address and track packages:

Set Your Delivery Address (English-Friendly)

Go to “Me” > “My Addresses” > “Add New Address.”
Fill in your address in English (e.g., “Room 1203, Building 5, Wanda Plaza, Nanjing Road, Shanghai”).
Add your phone number (foreign or Chinese) – delivery drivers may call to confirm your location.

Important: If you’re staying at a hotel, include the hotel name and your room number (e.g., “Hilton Shanghai, Room 802”) – most hotels have a front desk that accepts packages for guests.

Track Your Order

After paying, you can track your package in real time:

Go to “Me” > “My Orders.”
Tap the order you want to track – you’ll see updates like “Shipped,” “In Transit,” or “Out for Delivery.”
For detailed tracking, tap “Track Package” – Taobao will show the courier’s name and a map of the package’s location.

Pro Tip: Most orders arrive in 2–5 days (faster in big cities like Beijing/Shanghai; 5–7 days in smaller towns). If you’re leaving China soon, choose “Express Shipping” (adds ¥10–¥20) for 1–2 day delivery.

6. Returns & Refunds: What to Do If You’re Unhappy

Taobao has a straightforward return policy, even for foreigners:

Most products offer free returns within 7 days of delivery (look for “7 天无理由退货” on the product page).
To start a return: Go to “My Orders” > Select the order > Tap “Return/Refund” > Explain why you want to return (e.g., “Wrong size,” “Damaged item”).
The seller will approve your request and send a return address. Ship the item back via the same courier (Taobao often covers return shipping costs for faulty items).
Once the seller receives the item, your refund will be credited to your original payment method (takes 3–7 business days).

7. Pro Tips to Avoid Taobao Scams & Mistakes

Check Seller Ratings: Avoid sellers with less than 4 stars or more than 10% negative reviews. Read comments from other buyers (look for English reviews too!).
Beware of Fake Luxury Goods: If a “Louis Vuitton bag” is selling for ¥500 (around $70), it’s fake. Stick to “Official Flagship Stores” for luxury items.
Confirm Sizes Before Buying: Chinese clothing sizes run smaller than Western sizes. Check the “Size Chart” (usually has cm/inch measurements) or message the seller: “Is this size M suitable for someone 175cm tall?”
Don’t Pay Outside Taobao: Scammers may ask you to pay via WeChat or bank transfer instead of Taobao. Always pay through Taobao’s official checkout – this protects your money if the seller doesn’t ship.

8. Conclusion: Taobao Is Your Friend in China

Taobao isn’t just for shopping – it’s a way to experience China’s culture: buy traditional crafts, sample local snacks, or pick up affordable essentials for your trip. By following this guide, you’ll skip the confusion and shop with confidence.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute hot pot base in Chengdu, a silk scarf in Hangzhou, or a portable charger in Beijing, Taobao has you covered.

Ready to start shopping? Download Taobao now, and check out our Top 10 Taobao Finds for Foreign Tourists to get inspired!

Data Sources:

Taobao Global User Guide 2025
Alibaba Group E-Commerce Report
Personal testing in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu

Image Suggestions: Taobao’s English interface, adding a foreign card at checkout, tracking a package, and examples of popular Taobao products (silk scarves, hot pot base).