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SHOPPPING in KUNMING |
| Yunnan has one of the most complicated ethnic and religious situations in all of China's provinces. The interaction and collision of different cultures, religions and lifestyles gives visitors to this beautiful and colorful province lots to see, and to buy! Kunming, as the cultural and economic center of Yunnan, is an ideal place to dig up some great souvenirs of your trip to Yunnan! While jade and marble arts and crafts items are plentiful, there are plenty of items that are even more special and unique to Yunnan. Among the top choices of Kunming specialties to decorate your living room are bronzeware, Dai brocade and wax dyed cloth all of which epitomise Yunnan ethnic style. Yunnan is also famous for its tobacco.
The city boasts a lot of famous shops and markets, many of them are really worth visiting for being mirrors of the local life. The Flower and Bird Market, The Yunnan Antique City, the Nanyao Market, the Golden Horse and Phoenix Memorial Archway Jewelry Market and the Flower Street are all worth a look.
There are some good, big department stores here, since Kunming is the biggest city in the Province, these shops are an ideal place to stock up on supplies for your excursions throughout Yunnan. The biggest department stores in Kunming are the Southwestern Commercial Building,the Qiancun Department Store and the Kunming Department Store. |
| Yunnan Bronze Ware |
Yunnan Bronzeware (Wutong zouyin), is made with techniques unique to Yunnan Province. To complete a piece of bronzeware, the bronze roughcast is engraved with various patterns and designs and then molten silver or gold is slowly poured into the grooves. After the bronzeware cools, the darker bronze looks great with designs in gold or silver.
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| Dai Brocade |
Dai brocade (Daijin) is a kind of silk made by women of the Dai ethnic group. It features gorgeous colors and incricate patterns, which use rare animals, flowers and geometrical forms as design themes. Each of these patterns has its implications and hidden meaning. For instance, a peacock symbolizes good luck while an elephant symbolizes a good harvest. Brocade is commonly made into handbags, bedsheets, cushions, and window drapes.
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| Wax Dyed Cloth |
| Wax-dyed cloth is a folk handicraft of ethnic groups in Yunnan Province which is made by applying wax to white fabric in order keep sections undyed when the fabric is dipped in blue dye. This rather plain, yet charming handicraft shows off various local cultural symbols including animals, flowers and legendary personages. The cloth is made into garments, handbags, tapestries or simply sold as wall hangings |
| Yunnan Tobacco |
Yunnan is famous for its excellent tobacco. Thanks to the mild climate here in Yunnan Province, the tobacco leaves collected here are the best in China. So if you like to smoke, don't forget to take some home.
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