Hangzhou is yet another Chinese "shopping paradise". The city offers a superb collection of local crafts, rare arts and other souvenirs.
Some typical Hangzhou specialties and souvenirs: Hangzhou Silk, Hangzhou Embroidery, West Lake Silk Umbrellas, Tianzhu Bamboo Chopsticks, as well as White Chrysanthemum Tea and world-famous Longjing Tea.
One great place to souvenir shop in Hangzhou is the market that opens every evening on Wushan Road. Here you can avoid the high prices at Hangzhou's many tourist shops. Bargaining is not only recommended, it is required! Bargain hard and you will go home with some great deals.
Also, Hangzhou has a great outdoor silk market called the China Silk City (Zhongguo Sichou Cheng) on Fengqi Lu that runs for two blocks. This market street is long! Most of the silk is artificial (real is too expensive for most people), but most of the stalls will have some real silk.
If you are looking for something indoors and without the stress of bargaining, explore stores like the Hangzhou Friendship Store or the shops along Jiefang Road or Yan'an Road.
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Hangzhou Silk |
| Along with Suzhou, Hangzhou silk is the best in the world and has been since the Tang and Song Dynasties, a period of over 1,000 years. Between Hangzhou and Suzhou, Suzhou's embroidery is the best in China, and Hangzhou is known for producing excellent silks and satins. In Hangzhou, the variety of silks available seems endless. Hangzhou satin is famous and one of the area's most successful export products. The layered weaving process is very labor intensive and produces fabulously luxurious fabric that feels great next on the skin.
Try the Hangzhou Friendship Store,the Hangzhou Meilun Textiles Store, or the Hangzhou Silk Store for silk and satin items.
There is also a silk market between Fengqi Lu and Tianmushan Lu. Most of the silk is artificial (real silk is very expensive!), but most stalls will have some real silk. Don't forget to haggle! You can get some really great prices.
Tailors are also available throughout Hangzhou to make dresses, shirts, and other clothing from silk and satin in a matter of days.
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| Hangzhou Embroidery |
| Hangzhou embroidery, while not as famous as Suzhou embroidery, it is a combination of the four great styles of Chinese silk embroidery (Suzhou embroidery, Hunan embroidery, Sichuan embroidery and Guangzhou embroidery) forming its own unique and flexible style.
Hangzhou embroidery is divided into two main styles: "Court" and "Folk". The court style originates from the clothing and items used by the noble families of China. Dragons and phoenixes dance on the coats and tapestries, brought to life by gold and silver thread. Folk style embroidery abounds with more common materials and folk symbols like bats (for good fortune), deer or cranes (for longevity), or children at play(for childbirth and families).
For shopping options, explore the Hangzhou Friendship Store, the Hangzhou Meilun Textiles Store, or the Hangzhou Silk Store for embroidery items.
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| Hangzhou Silk Umbrella |
| Nothing says romance like a stroll along the West Lake, protected from the noon sun by an elegant and beautiful Hangzhou silk umbrella. Since the 1930s, Hangzhou has been famous throughout China for making silk umbrellas from Hangzhou silk and Zhejiang bamboo.
As red as the dawn, green as spring water, or blue as the clear sky, these silk umbrellas can be made in a rainbow of colors and designs. Some umbrellas are hand painted with landscapes or other beautiful, fanciful designs and can be very valuable.
Large attractions like Lingyin Temple or Tiger Running Spring both have merchants selling umbrellas. Also, Hangzhou Friendship Store is a good place to look
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| Bamboo Chopsticks |
| While bamboo chopsticks may not sound very impressive, Hangzhou's bamboo chopsticks are nice as souvenirs and are attractive craft items. They are made of bamboo from the Tianzhushan area of Hangzhou. As early as the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, peasants in the Tianzhushan area began making chopsticks. In modern times, production techniques have become highly advanced and refined. Painted designs and calligraphy can be added and the chopsticks can be inlaid with silver, ivory, bone or pearl at their ends. Expect to pay a little more for these miniature works of art, but don't forget to haggle |
Hangzhou Chrysanthemum
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| According to Chinese medicine, drinking Chrysanthemum Tea (Baijuhua Cha) cools and detoxifies the body. Along with varieties from Anhui and Henan provinces, Hangzhou's White Chrysanthemum enjoys a excellent reputation as THE best variety of this herb.
Chrysanthemum flowers are usually about half an inch in diameter and white or slightly yellow in color and are sold dried in plastic packaging. Soak some dried White Chrysanthemum flowers in hot boiled water for a few minutes and you will have a cup of light, fragrant and slightly sweet Chrysanthemum Tea. Another way to drink the tea is to add a little bit of sugar for extra sweetness.
Chrysanthemum Tea can be purchased throughout Hangzhou. Try your hotel's convenience store (if it has one) or a local grocery store.
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| Longjing Tea |
Longjing Tea is one of China's best teas and is one reason for Hangzhou's international fame. The tea is grown in the Longjing mountain area of Hangzhou, southwest of the West Lake. The flat and smooth tea leaves (resembling pine needles with a yellow to dark green color) brew a tea with light to dark green color, a fragrant scent, and a refreshing taste.
Longjing Tea can be bought throughout Hangzhou, but the best place to buy Longjing Tea is the Longjing ("Dragon Well") area of Hangzhou. The tea there is said to be the best Longjing available. Alternatively, the tea can be purchased around other Hangzhou attractions, but the quality of the tea might not be as good.
The Hangzhou Longjing Tea Store is another good place to purchase Longjing Tea, but watch out for slightly high prices. On the other hand, quality should be better than buying from hawkers on the street.
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