1688 vs Taobao: What is the difference between Taobao and 1688?

China’s vast e-commerce landscape is indeed confusing, especially if you are an expat living there, without language proficiency. Before anything else, deciding which platform to shop from is already a challenge in itself. This one article will guide you through two specific platforms, Taobao and 1688, and then you can make a decision on your own on which site is better suited for you.

In general, these two platforms are both from the big giant Alibaba, but are Taobao and 1688 the same thing? Let’s together explore everything about Taobao and 1688 – their differences, the payment systems, language, and logistics.

1688 vs Taobao: Understanding the Core Differences

1688 and Taobao are both e-commerce platforms from Alibaba¹, so you might also find many similarities between them. But they are actually two different entities, targeting entirely different customers and operating separately.

The biggest difference is who each of them serve: While Taobao is a famous C2C platform, 1688 is created to mainly cater to B2B. This means that Taobao will have mostly the retail price, and 1688 will offer you wholesale prices – which might be significantly cheaper.

Let’s first explore what they are:

1688.com: Your Wholesale Sourcing Powerhouse

1688.com is Alibaba's dedicated B2B marketplace for domestic Chinese wholesale. So if you are running a business in China, you can use 1688.com to source your products. You can directly talk to manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.

While both Taobao and 1688 products have been quite affordable already, you will see 1688 give you a much better pricing! This is because 1688 gives you with the wholesales prices which are significantly lower than retail unit prices. You should note that you will need to meet the minimum order quantity (MOQ) each time you buy in order to access these competitive prices – or even to place an order at all with 1688.

So 1688.com is an excellent choice if you are looking to source goods or materials for resale, mass production, or large-scale business procurement. It is also a good dropshipping option if you run a business in another country.

Taobao.com: The Retail Shopping Destination

And what about the famous Taobao? Taobao was launched way back in 2003 and currently is one the largest e-commerce platforms in China. Unlike 1688.com, Taobao is a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platform. While you might find some small businesses also sell their products directly to customers, Taobao is mostly known as the retail shopping destination for individual shoppers. The word “Taobao” literally translates to "search for treasures"– and true to its name, this platform is a real online treasure trove if you are looking for unique items for your personal use.

Taobao’s price might be higher than 1688, but you will not need to meet any minimum order quantity requirements.

Quick Comparison: 1688 vs Taobao at a Glance

Let’s explore major differences between 1688 vs Taobao:

The Foreigner's Challenge: Payments, Language, and Logistics in China

1688 and Taobao are both excellent shopping havens for many local residents and businesses. But of course, they aren’t perfect! Since these platforms were originally created to serve the local market, they aren’t the most expat-friendly websites – because their entire interface is in Chinese.

Let’s explore some common hurdles from 1688 vs. Taobao, and how you can tackle them – as an expat living in China!

Navigating Payments in China: The RMB Hurdle

With many local Chinese, digital wallets such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are such an indispensable part of their everyday life; they technically are able to pay for everything with these two wallets, including for goods on 1688 or Taobao.

For expats, digital wallets are honestly another challenge when trying to access these services. Just like Taobao and 1688, Alipay's default interface is also in Chinese. Of course, there is a way to switch the language of Alipay to English! While WeChat Pay does have an English interface, it only works for Taobao – it cannot be used for 1688.

You can also pay for products with the foreign bank accounts or international credit cards. However, always be aware about the foreign transaction fees and exchange rates of your home bank. In many cases when placing large wholesale orders in 1688, these fees can be significantly high, potentially eating up your profit.

There is a way to link your international cards into Alipay, but you cannot top up your Alipay account with your international cards, making it extremely difficult to pay sellers directly in RMB.

Overcoming the Language Barrier on 1688 and Taobao

The language barrier might just be the most annoying challenge for both platforms.

Taobao does give you an option to switch the site to English on top of the website like the screenshot below.

However, the built-in translation is far from perfect because it literally translates word-by-word from Chinese – sometimes it won’t make any sense.

You can still search for goods in English, but the results will be more limited compared to using the original Chinese keywords. On top of that, you might find it is extremely difficult to talk to customer service or sellers because many of them mainly speak Chinese.

It will be even more challenging in 1688.com because it doesn’t have a built-in English translation at all. And usually, you will want to negotiate with sellers to get a better price for your business. Here are some tips for you to overcome the language barriers in Taobao and 1688:

• Use Google Translate: This is the most generic one – you will roughly overcome the language barriers. But it will take longer because you need to switch between screens. You can also use Google Translate built-in translation tools or the live camera as well, but they are not responsive enough when you are searching around the platforms.
• Use Image Search: This cool feature easily eliminates all the language barriers. Just tap the camera icon on the search bar and use a photo instead.
• Talk to sourcing agents: This is the best option if you continuously source your products from 1688 or Taobao. The agents will take care of complex communication or negotiation for you. However, this option will cost money.

Understanding Logistics: Domestic & International Shipping from China

Both sites have easy-to-understand domestic shipping within China. Domestic shipping is known for being quick and hassle-free. Orders from Taobao can arrive to you as early as one hour² depending on the seller and location . And for 1688, you will need to meet minimum order quantity requirements. Pretty straightforward!

However, international shipment is another story, especially shipping from 1688 can be highly complicated. Both platforms do not support international shipping, and you will mostly go through some international forwarding services. So, always be mindful of the shipping cost – which can be quite significant – plus all the paperworks related to customs clearance and import duties.

Making the Right Choice: When to Use 1688 vs Taobao

Depending on who you are and what your needs are, you can choose either 1688 or Taobao. To make the most out of these platforms, you should…

Choose 1688 If You Are…

• A business, entrepreneur, or reseller who want to buy at absolute lowest possible unit price
• Wanting to buy products in bulk and able to meet minimum order quantities.
• Comfortable arranging complex logistics (or working with a sourcing agent).

Choose Taobao If You Are...

• A personal buyer buying a small number of items
• Buying just for personal use.
• Prioritizing easy domestic delivery for retail items.
• Seeking everyday consumer goods, fashion, electronics, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about 1688 and Taobao

Is Taobao part of Alibaba, and what about 1688?

Yes, Taobao and 1688 are both from the giant Alibaba.

Tmall is another one from Alibaba, but Tmall is more like a B2C platform, where you can find more established brands than Taobao.

Can foreigners easily buy from 1688 or Taobao?

Yes, as a foreigner, you can buy from both 1688 or Taobao. However, the language barrier will make your shopping experience more challenging. There are tools and help you can use to avoid the language barrier challenge.

Do I need a Chinese bank account to use 1688 or Taobao?

You typically need a local Chinese payment method (like Alipay or WeChat Pay) linked to a local bank account for direct payments.

Another way is using Wise to fund these wallets or pay directly to Chinese recipients without needing a personal Chinese bank account.

What is the main difference between Taobao and 1688 for sourcing products?

While the business models are fundamentally different, you can source from both sites. In general, 1688 might be a better option if you run a business that is buying products in bulk, and you want to purchase them at wholesale prices. You will also have to meet the minimum quantity requirements with 1688. Taobao’s buyers often do not have to follow the required quantity, but the prices might be higher.

If you are running a business, you know how important it is to have a good sourcing platform like 1688. Or simply you just need something very quick for your personal use, Taobao is your haven. Navigating these websites can be challenging, but as long as you understand their differences, your shopping experience will be more enjoyable!

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Sources last checked on 31-Aug-2025