Xi'an Shopping
Xi'an is an excellent place to pick up souvenirs and antiques,
which are generally cheaper and more varied than in Beijing,
though prices have to be bartered down and the standard of goods,
especially from tourist shops, is sometimes of poor quality.
Also note that many of the antiques sold are fake. Shopping
is also an enjoyable evening activity, since the markets and
department stores are open until 10PM. There are many big shopping
centers, department stores and supermarkets in and around the
city, centered mainly along Dong Dajie, Nan Dajie and Jiefang
Lu.
| Interesting Souvenir Items |
Calligraphy Rubbings
Xi'an is a store house of ancient Chinese culture and calligraphy.
There are more than 300 steles dating from the Han, Wei, Tang,
Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties collected in the Forest of
Steles in Xi'an. Books of the rubbings from some of the most
famous Chinese calligraphers can be purchased there. If you are
interested in Chinese history, language, or calligraphy, then
this is an excellent opportunity to enrich your collection of
calligraphic rubbings.
 Folk 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.
These eye-catching and colorful paintings overflow with the
atmosphere of Chinese country life and are widely enjoyed by
travelers to Xi'an. Great folk paintings can be purchased at
most tourist attractions from street vendors and in small shops
nearby.
 Green Porcelain
Green Porcelain (Qing Ciqi) is method of making porcelain which
originated in the Song Dynasty. Lifelike animals and flowers
are the major decorative themes and the most common colors of
this porcelain are blue and green.
Useful and durable, yet also elegant and pretty, this porcelain
has many uses and forms. Green Porcelain is especially favored
as a material for making tea pots. A good place to buy Green Porcelain
is in the gift shop at the Forest of Steles.
 Paper
Cutting
Paper cutting is an extremely popular folk art in the Shaanxi
Province villages. On days of celebration such as holidays and
weddings, villagers like to decorate the doors and windows of
their homes with colorful paper cuttings.
The designs of the paper cuttings are rich and varied, but they
always feature symbols of good luck and happiness as the main
theme. Other secondary themes include landscape scenes, legends
and myths, and folk stories. These folk paper cuttings are usually
inexpensive, but you should still bargain.
Tang Pottery Replicas
 Xi'an's proud tradition as the capital of the Tang Dynasty is
kept alive today by modern day replicas of Tang Dynasty pottery.
Tang Dynasty pottery, with its distinctive blue, green, and yellow
color glazes is still hand-made as it was during the Tang. Common
themes include figurines and ceramic camels and horses.
Because of this revival in the art of Tang style pottery, buyers
should be wary of any shop owners or hawkers that claim their
pottery to be "old". Just a reminder! The Tang Dynasty
was from about 600 to 900 AD. That would make any genuine Tang
Dynasty pieces out of the reach of any ordinary modern day shop.
Terracotta Warriors
There are many different types of replicas of Terracotta Warriors
and they are available as souvenirs, from a few inches tall to
life-size. But buyers beware; the life-sized statues cost a fraction
of the price to make, so be careful about what you are willing
to pay. And remember, you can probably bargain on the prices
of these items.
Rongsheng Zhai
It is a government operated workshop making the imitation of terra-cotta warriors.
Address: Shili Pu, Xi'an
Opening hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Gift Shop of South Gate of
City Wall
This is designated tourist gift shop featuring curios and seal
engraving.
Address: South Gate of City Wall, Xi'an
Opening hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Shu Yuan Men (The Arts Street )
Under the ancient city wall behind the Forest of Steles in Xi'an,
there is a well-known street in the style of ancient towns -
Shu Yuan Men. Beiyuanmen and Huajue Xi'ang (the alley that runs
off to the Great Mosque), are the places to go for small souvenirs
like engraved chopsticks, teapots, and chiming balls.
Another grouping of tourist spots are scattered along Shuyuanmen,
a cobbled street just east of the south gate. Both sides of the
slab stone road are lined with buildings in the Ming and Qing
styles. Various arts and crafts are sold on this crowded street,
as well as historical relics, calligraphy, paintings, antiques,
jewels, and folk art. Reproduction of Terra-cotta warriors and
horses are also available, from a few inches tall to life-size.
Prices range greatly as well, from 1 US dollar to several thousand
dollars for the largest statues.
Xi'an Antique Market
Xi'an Antique Market is located at the intersection of Zhuque
Lu and Nan Erhuan Lu (Southern 2nd Ring Road) near the Small
Wild Goose Pagoda. From large furniture to small coins, the market
contains every possible antique to collectors, but be aware of
all the replicas.
Wenbaozhai Tour Shopping
Center
Wenbaozhai Tour Shopping Center of Xi'an is one of the earliest
fixed tour shops for foreign travelers of the northwest region.
Dealers sell silk rugs, woolen blankets, silk clothing, jewels,
jade articles, calligraphy, paintings, historical relics, antiques,
model clay figures of warriors and horses, and bronze cars and
horses. This place is located at No. 5 Yanta Lu Zhongduan, Xi'an.
| Department Stores in Xi'an |
Kaiyuan Shopping Mall
As one of the largest shopping centers in Xi'an, the nice shopping surroundings
and reasonable prices make for a pleasant shopping experience.
Address: Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8723-5382
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8: 30 pm
Mingsheng Department Store
It's the oldest department store in Xi'an. However it's been renovated in recent
years and has taken a new look.
Address: Jiefang Road, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8748-1746
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8: 30 pm
Xi'an Ginwa Shopping
Center
It boasts the largest and most expensive shopping center. A lot
of world famous brands available.
Address: The Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square, Xi'an
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8: 30 pm
Parkson Shopping Center
Xi'an Luck Parkson: No. 119 Dong Dajie (Opposite the Hyatt Regency
Hotel), Xi'an
Xi'an Shidai Parkson: Shidai Shengdian Plaza, Xi Dajie, Xi'an
Xi'an Chang'an Parkson: No. 38 Chang'an Zhong Lu, Xi'an
Xi'an Home Club Shopping Plaza
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 and household goods.
Address: Taoyuan Road, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8428-9944
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8: 30 pm
Yi Chu Lian Hua ( Lotus Supercenter )
TangYan Store
Address: No. 3 Tangyan Lu (Southwest Suburb), Xian
Opening hours: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm
Jia Shi Jie
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 9:00
- South Gate Branch (Downtown) is situated in Fen Xi'ang, Nan
Dajie
- Chang'an Lu Branch (South Suburb) is located at the northeast
corner of the crossing of Shida Lu and Chang'an Lu
- Jin Hua Lu Branch (East Suburb) is situated near the crossing
of Changle Lu and Jinhua Lu
- Lian Hu Branch (West Suburb) is located at the southwest
of the crossing of Daqing Lu and Taoyuan Lu
- North Suburb Branch is located along the Bei Erhuan Lu (Northern
2nd Ring Road)
- Nan Erhuan Branch is situated along the Nan Erhuan Lu (Southern
2nd Ring Road)
| Art and Jewelry Stores in Xi'an |
Xi'an has a strong artistic pedigree, and the paintings and
jewelry available here are much more varied in style than those
you see elsewhere. As well as the line and wash paintings of
legendary figures, flowers and animals that you see everywhere,
look for bright, simple folk paintings, usually of country scenes.
A traditional Shaanxi art form, appealing for their decorative,
flat design and lush colors, these images were popular in the
1970s in China for their idealistic, upbeat portrayal of peasant
life.
Farmer's Paintings
There is a good selection in the shop just behind the small wild
goose pagoda
Address: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Youyi West Road, Xi'an
Opening Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Shaanxi Art Museum
Address: Chang'an Road, Xi'an
Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tang Dynasty Art Museum
Address: Yangta Rd., Xi'an
Opening Hours: 9:00 am ¨C 6:00 pm
Xi'an Jade-Making Center
This is Xi'an largest jade making workshop. A rich variety of
jade and jadeite are available.
Address: Dong'er Huan Road, Xi'an
Opening Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Silk Embroidery Factory
This is a factory with more than thirty years history.
It features silk rugs and embroidered items.
Address: Dongxing Street, Xi'an
Opening Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Foreign Language Bookstore
Address: No. 347 Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8721-2197
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 8: 30 pm
Xinhua Book Store
This is the largest bookstore in Xi'an.
Address: Dongda Jie, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8721-6194
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 8: 30 pm
Xi'an Old Book Store
A large selection of old books both in Chinese and English are
available.
Address: Nanyuan Gate, Xi'an
Tel: (8629) 8721-1095
Opening Hours: 8:30 am ¨C 10 pm
NOTE: Although
this information is correct at the time of our web publication,
it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm
the address before going to the venue because some venues may
have changed their telephone numbers or address locations.
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