Mulberry silk fabric by the meter (19-momme charmeuse)

Buying silk where it's reeled means export-brand quality at a fifth of Western fabric-store prices — and you see the cocoons unwound first.

Price: 128 CNY (Per meter, 19-momme pure mulberry charmeuse at Suzhou factory outlets and Shanghai fabric market; heavier 22-momme and brocades ¥160-260/m)

Where to buy: Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory (watch the reeling demo, then buy at outlet), Suzhou silk markets, or Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market

Price checked 2026-07-03

• Burn test or ask for one: real silk smells like burnt hair and ashes to powder; polyester 'silk' melts into a bead — plenty of satin is sold as silk to tourists
• Factory-attached stores issue proper fapiao and are in the tax refund scheme; market stalls are cheaper but no refund and more poly risk
• Momme (姆米) is the weight grade — 16-19 for scarves/linings, 22+ for garments