Environmental issues, especially water and air pollution, are harmful results from an overconsumption of fossil fuels as well as various industrial sewage water discharge. Nowadays, environment friendly purchasing behaviour of consumers has been regarded as an effective method for alleviating environmental problems. Due to concerns about the natural environment, consumers show favourable attitude towards environment friendly products, and as a result, are more likely to purchase green products. However, consumers’ green purchasing behaviour varies across nations and cultures. This study aims to reveal how the endorsement of cultural values influences the green purchasing behaviour of Chinese consumers. As consumers’ lifestyle is deeply rooted in culture values, this study examines the mediating effects of four different dimensions of lifestyle. Meanwhile, environmental knowledge is considered as a moderating variable in order to investigate the relationship between cultural values and green purchasing intention. Data is collected from Chinese consumers. Empirical results reveal that the Chinese cultural values (specifically, the Doctrine of the Mean) is positively associated with green purchasing intention, while leadership and development consciousness play mediating roles. The moderating effects of environmental knowledge are found in the influence of leadership as well as development consciousness on green purchasing intention. The findings of this study have academic contributions and practical implications. Manufacturers and retailers can effectively adapt marketing strategies to cultural peculiarities to increase profitability and competitiveness.