Xian Shopping

Xi'an is a great place to do some fantastic Chinese souvenir shopping, especially for cultural items and antiques, which are generally cheaper and more varied than any other cities.

Xian Folk Paintings and Huxian Peasant Paintings
One fantastic and very special type of souvenir from Xi'an is a local folk painting. The local folk painters have borrowed the line drawing techniques of traditional Chinese brush painting and drawn inspiration from cultural and historical figures, animals, flowers and birds. Many of the paintings come from Huxian County (20 kilometers from Xi'an) where farmers have made a career of producing them.

Reproduction of Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
The museum of Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses has produced imitations since 1982. It is not difficult to take the terra-cotta warriors and horses back home. Many different types of replicas are available as souvenirs, from a few inches tall to life-size. Prices range from one US dollar to several thousand dollars for the largest statues.

Xian Lacquer ware
Lacquer is a natural substance obtained from the sap of the lacquer tree, a tree indigenous to China. Up to a few hundred layers of lacquer are applied to an object's surface in order to attain the final thickness of between five and eighteen mm. After the lacquer has dried, the object is decorated by carving various designs into the surface. While traditional imperial lacquer ware came in the form of chairs, screens, tables and vases, today one can find objects ranging from trays, cups and vases to small decorative boxes, which are produced in Xi'an's lacquer-ware workshops today.

Xian Jade carving
Chinese have been carving Jade in Xi'an for five thousand years. Large quantities of jade ornaments have been discovered during archaeological excavations. Exquisitely carved jade articles, such as bowls, bracelets, pendants, etc., are being produced in the Xi'an Jade Carving Factory.

Xian Tri-color glazed pottery
Tri-color glazed pottery was produced in the Tang Dynasty with yellow, grass green and blue ceramic glazes. As the capital in the Tang dynasty, there have been a large number of tri-colored ceramic articles unearthed in Xi'an. Skillful imitations of Tang Tri-Color ceramic articles are hot collectors items for tourists from home and abroad.

Recommended shopping places

Silk Embroidery Factory
Add: Dongxing St. Xi'an
Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm
Description: This is a factory with more than thirty years history. It features silk rugs and embroider items.

Rongsheng Zhai
Add: Shili Pu, Xi'an
Description: It's a government-run workshop making imitation terra-cotta warriors.
Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Xi'an Jade-making Center
Add: Dong'er Huan Rd. Xi'an
Description: This is Xi'an largest jade making workshop. A rich variety of jade and jadeite are available.
Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

The Gift Shop of Shaanxi History Museum
Add: inside the Shaanxi History Museum
Description: This is the largest professional shop selling antiques in Xi'an. All the antiques sold here have been evaluated by authoritative experts. Elaborate imitations of antiques are also available.
Hours: 8:30am-5: 30pm

The Gift Shop of South Gate of City Wall
Add: South Gate of City Wall, Xi'an
Description: This is a gift shop featuring curios and seal engraving.
Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Farmer's Paintings
Add: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Youyi W. Rd. Xi'an
Description: There is a good selection in the shop just behind the small wild goose pagoda
Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Foreign Language Bookstore
Add: #347 Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: 87212197
Hours: 8:30am-8: 30pm

Xinhua Book Store
Add: Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: 87216194
Description: It's the largest bookstore in Xi'an.
Hours: 8:30am-8: 30pm

Shaanxi Art Museum
Add: Chang'an Rd., Xi'an
Hours: 9:00am-5: 30pm

Tang Dynasty Art Museum
Add: Yangta Rd., Xi'an
Hours: 9:00am-6pm

Kangfu Lu Market
Hours: 8:00am-7:00pm
Description: It mainly sells clothes and shoes retail and wholesale. It's always very crowded.

Wenyi Lu Flower & Bird Market
Description: A rich collection of flowers, plants, fish and other pets.
Hours: 8:00am-7:00pm

Kaiyuan Shopping Mall
Add: Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: 87235382
Description: one of the largest shopping centers in Xi'an,
Hours: 9:00am-8: 30pm

Mingsheng Department Store
Add: Jiefang Rd. Xi'an
Tel: 87481746
Description: It's the oldest department store in Xi'an. However it's been renovated in recent years and has a new look.
Hours: 9:00am-8: 30pm

Xi'an Ginwa Shopping Center
Add: the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square, Xi'an
Hours: 9:00am-8: 30pm
Description: It's the city's the largest and most expensive shopping center. A lot of world famous brands are available.

Xi'an Vanguard Shopping Plaza
Add: Taoyuan Rd. Xi'an
Tel: 84289944
Description: It's the biggest supermarket in the city with a great variety of local and overseas products, including fresh and frozen food, fruits, vegetables, wines, household goods.