Lanzhou Shopping

Lanzhou, as Gansu Province's capital, is a large city with many shopping options. The area is particularly good for cold weather gear, which can be bought at many of the shops that line the streets. The city is also a good place for those shopping for handicrafts. Along with the products that are popular throughout the province, including the Jiuguang luminous jade cups, jade carvings and silk carpets, Lanzhou has its own specialties that can be bought in many of the craft stores and stalls in the city. Particularly notable are the Jincheng babao melon-skin and pebble carvings, and Tao ink stones. The city is a good place to find ancient memorabilia, and replicas of Silk Road paintings and murals, as well as beautiful copies of the Maiji Grottoes. Buddha heads abound. For everyday items, there are numerous department stores throughout the city. Near to the western train station is the Huangjin Shopping Center (Huangjin dasha).

Jincheng Babao Melon-skin Carving
The Jincheng Babao melon-skin carved bowls are a traditional product of the Lanzhou people. The bowls are made from a kind of melon native to Gansu province, the golden melon. The pulp of the melon is first removed, and then the skin is left to dry until hard. Craftsmen then carve pictures and patterns into the desiccated surface.

Stone Carvings
An interesting specialty to take away from Lanzhou is the colorful pebble carvings that can be found in art and craft stores throughout the city. The pebbles come from the bed of the Yellow River and are carved by local artisans. The carvings selected are mainly dependent on the original shapes of the stones, a kind of quartzite. Stones with beautiful natural colors and wonderful shapes are carefully selected. These stones are truly works of art worth owning.

Tao Ink Stone
If you are fascinated with Chinese calligraphy, the Tao ink stone of Lanzhou is not to be missed. It is acclaimed as one of the three best ink stones in China, along with the Duan ink stone of Guangdong Province and the Jiao ink stone of Anhui Province. The ink stone's acclaim lies in its beauty and style. Good quality stones are frequently given as gifts among wealthy Chinese. It was a Tao ink stone that was presented by the Gansu authorities to the SAR government when Hong Kong officially returned to China in 1998. The most famous aspect of the ink stones is that when its lid is on, the lines and patterns of the original stone merge with the lid line to give the impression that the stone is whole.

Lanzhou Carved Bottle Gourds
A small bottle gourd that grows in the Lanzhou area is carved with various pictures and patterns of human figures, flowers and birds. Traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting are shown on the gourds to include traditional contour sketching, touching, light-ink stroking and dyeing. The gourds are extremely popular souvenirs for visitors.

Multicolored Glass Vases
Glass vases are produced in many areas of China. Faced with such stiff competition, the Lanzhou Glassware factory has held a reputable position in domestic and overseas markets for a long time because of its ingenious designs, exquisite workmanship, and low prices. Multicolored glass vases are exported to many countries, including the U. S., Japan and Hong Kong. Many people buy the vases as gifts.

Bronze Galloping Horse Replicas
A magnificent bronze galloping horse was excavated from the sands of Gansu years ago, and replicas are in demand. In order to meet those demands, Gansu Arts and Crafts has designed and produced replicas in many sizes. They all look very much like the original in shape and color. They are boxed for easy shipment and are inexpensive. As a result, these products have won appreciation from visitors at home and abroad.

Gypsum Pillows
According to Chinese traditional medicine theories, gypsum has a cold nature: therefore, pillows made of carved gypsum are highly valued in hot areas. Sleeping with your head resting on one in summer makes you feel cool and comfortable. It is an excellent, functional handicraft.

Wool Cloth
Wool cloth produced in Lanzhou is well known all over the country.

Lanzhou Peace and Tranquility Drum
There is Peace and Tranquility Drum Team in every village in the Lanzhou area. The length of the drum is 70-75cm, and the diameter is 45-50cm. The drum body is made of wood and lacquered red, with colored drawings or patterns of dragons or lions on the body. The drum cover is sheepskin, which is covered with patterns of the eight diagrams of Taiji. The hoops at both ends of the drum’s body are tied with cloth strips. The drum is carried on the drummer’s right shoulder, and placed beside the left leg when played. The drummer wears a black Wusong Cap.

Tianshui Carved Lacquer ware
Carved Lacquer ware is an ancient Chinese craft. The carved wares from Tianshui are especially fine.

Gansu Carpet
Gansu carpet, especially Lintao carpet, is made from the finest materials and is of superb quality.

Baoan Broadsword
The Baoan broadsword is a traditional handicraft of the Baoan nationality. It is beautifully designed and balanced. In recent year these swords have been sold on the international market.

Yellow River Scree Carving
The Yellow River has for thousands of years washed over the broken stones (scree) deposited in the river bottom. These stones have an infinite variety of rich and colorful shapes. The skilled artisans engaged in stone carving at the Gansu Industrial Arts Factory use this rich natural resource to make a variety of useful and ornamental objects.

Jiuquan Luminous Cup
A beautiful jade of brilliant white, green, black and yellow color is found in the Qilian Mountains of Gansu Province. Local artisans grind and polish it into wine cups of various colors and shapes. Jiuguan has a well-established factory specializing in making these luminous cups.

Tianshui Silk Blanket
Tianshui silk blankets are one of the traditional handicrafts produced in Gansu Province. They are made of high quality silk, manually woven, and expertly clipped. The color, shine and design, plus perfect craftsmanship make them a sought after item.

Recommended Shopping Places

Railway Bureau Area
On the northern side of the intersection is the Lanzhou Industrial and Trading Center; on the other side stands Minzhuxilu Department Store. Around these two buildings are many shops and Tielu Xincun Free Market, where agricultural products, vegetables, fruits, prepared food, clothing, farm by-products, and light industrial goods can be bought.

South Pass Intersection Area
The major shopping district stretches north to Central Square where the office of the People's Government of Gansu Province is located, and then to the west toward Xiquan-shizi. Along this one-kilometer section is the old downtown area of Lanzhou, still the busiest shopping district of the city. Here can be found the largest bookstores, electronic equipment stores, grocers, and restaurants.

Gansu Cultural Relics Shop and Provincial Arts and Crafts Shop
Here you can buy carved ink slabs, luminous jade cups, and bottle gourds. The most beautiful of them are the replicas of Buddha's head using the original molds from Bingling Si.

Huangmai Market
This is a local market selling curios, stamps, coins and some reproductions. Try to visit here on the weekend.

The Dingxi Nanlu Market
This market is open all week and worth visiting during the weekdays.