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Home  >  China • Chinese Culture  >  A Peek into a Walmart in China
Posted inChina Chinese Culture

A Peek into a Walmart in China

Posted By Becky Ances Posted on September 24, 2014
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You might think that like McDonalds, Walmarts of the world are all the same. I’m here to tell you that nope, they definitely are not. And going to a Walmart in China is nothing like going to one in America. Sometimes it’s downright freaky.

Just for the record, I hate Walmart. I think they are an evil company and in America, I don’t go. But in China it is the only reliable source of butter, cheese and Twinings Tea. I have a fancy supermarket near me, that has pretty much everything I need….except butter, cheese and Twinings Tea. So off to Walmart I go.

Walmart caters their shops to a local taste. So it’s not like I can get the same stuff in China that you get in America. No trident gum, or mead notebooks. Instead the store is filled with Chinese brands. The clothes are Chinese style (in Chinese sizes) and the food is made with Chinese tastes in mind. There is a small shelf with “international goods” but in China that means more Korean and Japanese food than American. (Though it is where I get my Twinings tea.)

In China the food isn’t especially cheap. It’s also not crazy expensive, but it’s not known for being dirt cheap like America. Also, one time I saw a kid taking a dump in the aisles. (Ironically it was in the cleaning supplies aisle.)
Without further ado, a peek inside a Chinese Walmart (disclaimer: I tried to take all these pics ‘on the sly’ so sometimes they are a little blurry. Sorry.)

Clothes are just as cheap and ugly as in America!
A lot of squatting in Chinese Walmarts.
A lot of squatting in Chinese Walmarts.
Not all the food is just Chinese brands. There are plenty of international companies that operate here. Notice the different flavors of oreas here such as green tea ice cream and
There are 2 entire rows filled with instant noodles. More than just a cheap eat for broke students, instant noodles are a big deal here eaten by everyone. In fact, the president of China recently put out an appeal for Chinese people abroad to eat less of them.
Contrary to popular belief Chinese drink a lot of milk (and eat a lot of yogurt–it’s just the other dairy items, like cheese that isn’t popular here.) The weird thing is in China milk isn’t usually refrigerated and is just out on the shelf. I’ve drank plenty of it in my time and have never gotten sick, so I know it’s okay. But still a little weird.
The coveted cheese and butter aisle. yes, it might seem pitifully small to you, but to me it is heaven!
No chinese supermarket is complete without the vats of rice. I’ve seen too many people sneeze/touch/play with the rice to make me comfortable buying it. But I do want to run my fingers through it.
The meat aisle isn’t as scary as an open market, but it still is surprising what you’ll see there. Chicken feet next to chicken breasts, next to chicken hearts. All nicely laid out.
Intestines anyone?
Intestines anyone? At least in Walmart they are packaged nicely.
Even the frozen food section holds some surprises.
Even the frozen food section holds some surprises.
Unlike the lumpy, tasteless tofu in America, tofu in China comes in all different styles. *drool*
Unlike the lumpy, tasteless tofu in America, tofu in China comes in all different styles. *drool*
There are some weak attempts at “western style” food like this pizza. But as you can see, they miss the mark by a mile.
There are a lot more open bins in China, with everything from candy to beans to dried fruit. This is a bin of dried mushrooms you can pick at freely.
There are a lot more open bins in China, with everything from candy to beans to dried fruit. This is a bin of dried mushrooms you can pick at freely.
In America we are used to muffin tops, butt cracks and other terrible outfits. You don't see that much in China but you will see couples wearing matching outfits to show their love.
In America we are used to muffin tops, butt cracks and other terrible outfits in Walmart. You don’t see that much in China but you will see couples wearing matching outfits to show their love.
Tags: culture differences intestines shopping walmart
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4 Comments

  1. TJ
    September 24, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    The milk that’s found on the shelf in China is generally “long-life” milk (or UHT milk). It’s been treated at a high temperature and can sit in those boxes without refrigeration for months. But once it’s opened, you have to refrigerate it and drink it like fresh milk (ie within about a week). It’s made from fresh milk but has been treated to make it shelf-stable. Totally safe to drink!

    Reply
  2. E-Phoenix
    September 25, 2014 at 12:12 am

    You should shop at RT-Mart if you have one near you. It’s better than Walmart, and Carrefour as well for that matter.
    Btw, about the squatting… I’ve heard that the reason that Caucasians tend to kneel as opposed to squat as Asians do is because the proportionally longer legs that Caucasians have makes it uncomfortable for them to squat. Is that true?

    Reply
  3. becky
    September 26, 2014 at 5:53 am

    TJ- I know, and I know that in Europe they often sell it un-refrigerated as well. It’s just still freaky to me. I also don’t refrigerate eggs in china because there is no need (and it can actually be worse for unwashed eggs) but I still feel weird after a lifetime of washing.
    And e-phoenix. No way! haha. I say this as a master squatter myself. It’s just a culture thing. Kids in America naturally squat as it is a very natural comfortable position, but they aren’t encouraged to squat and so we lose the flexibility. A lot of my friends here can’t put both heels on the ground when they squat (they stand on their tippy toes, making going to the bathroom a slightly more nerve-wracking experience.) But while I can’t touch my toes due to tight muscles, I can squat no problem.

    Reply
  4. Ashley F
    November 10, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Ah, the memories! And that tofu picture made me drool!!

    Reply

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I’m an American who has been living in China for more than a decade! This is my blog where I muse about all things China. Please also check out my YouTube channel “Badminton Becky” and my other badminton blog at www.badmintonbecky.com

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