Shopping in Guilin

Local Specialties

Osmanthus Tea and Wine

The word of 'Guilin' is made up of two Chinese characters. 'Gui' means osmanthus, 'Lin' means forest, and thus 'Guilin' means the forest of osmanthus trees. The osmanthus flowers are widely used in the making of tea and wine due to it's specially fragrance.Gingko

Gingko trees can be seen everywhere in Guilin. The gingko tree is described as a living fossil on the earth. Gingko is always regarded as a kind of Chinese herb. Gingko is said to promote healthy blood circulation, moistens facial skin and so chases away wrinkles. It is so versatile that it can also be made into drinks and snacks.

Chufa

Guilin chufas can be eaten as fruit or as a vegetable. Chufas, sometimes referred to as tiger nuts in the West, are grown in Guilin and are very sweet and crispy. Chufa paste, chufa panocha and canned chufa each have their own unique flavors and will add extra zest to your cooking.

Luo Han Kuo Fruit

Luo Han Kuo got its name as it looks like the belly of Buddha. Luohan means arhat in Chinese. This fruit has long been a traditional Chinese herb. It is sweet and mellow and is considered conducive to the system and helps lower blood pressure. Instant Luo Han Kuo tea is a very convenient way to prepare and preserves the original flavor of the fruit.

Cumquat

Cumquat is a citrus like fruit with a sweet rind and acidic center. It can be eaten fresh or be made into a sweetmeat, canned or squeezed as a fruit juice drink. It is rich in Vitamin C1, B2, B1, P, Ca, etc. The cumquat grown in Guilin Guban village has gained its fame for many years due to its high quality and good taste.

Yangshuo Drawing Fans

Nearly every tourist who visits Yangshuo was interested in the local drawing fans, which was harmony with the local beautiful scenery. The fan is a kind of hand products with recherché material and exquisite techniques. The artists draw different various pictures on the price paper or silk, such as the mountains and rivers in Guilin, the scenery of Yangshuo, flowers, birds, fishes, insects, running horses, violent beasts, court ladies with ancient costume, and so on. Matched them with poem, calligraphy, and seal cutting, therefore, the craftworks was completed. When holding the fan in hand, you will unfold it form time to time in order to appreciate it.

Folk Embroidery

Folk Embroidery could be found easily in Guilin, mainly for the Su Embroidery (Embroidery of Suzhou city) and Xiang Embroidery (Embroidery of Changsha City). Embroidery is a kind of handicraft using 1,000 different types of thread to make flowers, birds, animals, and even gardens on a piece of cloth, all of which are refined, exquisite, and lifelike. It is considered as the “pearl of oriental art” for its beautiful workmanship and elegant colors.Stone CarvingThe hackneyed stone carving in Guilin City is from Qingtian, the hometown of Chinese Stone Carving. With beautiful modeling and refined craftsmanship, Qingtian stone carvings are loved by many people and reputed as the Embroidery on stone. In Qingtian stone carving, fruits, flowers and vegetables are major subjects.

Landscape Painting

The landscape paintings mainly concentrate the ideal natural beauty. Traditional Chinese painting of mountains and waters will surely satisfy travelers who love Chinese cultural and arts. The beautiful mountains and waters in Guilin have attracted many famous artists since the Song Dynasty (907-1279). Modern artists like Xu Beihong, Huang Binhong, Li Keran, Qi Baishi, etc, all created precious works after visiting Guilin. Guilin galleries are not only famous locally but throughout China.Landscape paintings of Guilin present you the highlights of the water and hills on paper, such as the foggy Li River, lifelike Elephant Trunk Hill, and Moon Hill, all of which can take away your annoyance while enjoying them. Some masterpieces can be found among these paintings in the art galleries..

Guilin city is a colorful aggregation of several minorities. Each minority has its own finery, emitting profound ethical culture and custom, so the featured ethical fineries of different minorities make Guilin more multicolored.

Guilin Famous Shopping Centers

Guilin International Tourism Commodity Wholesale Market

Guilin International Tourism Commodity Wholesale market is the first special wholesale in Guilin, also the largest tourism commodity wholesale market in China. The wholesale market collects thousands of unique art works from all over China, including Burmese Jade Article, Qingtian Stone Carving, Fujian Wood Carving, Yixing Clay Tea Pot, Agates, Boarding Painting, Suzhou Embroidery, and Hunan Embroidery. It has firmed the most important distributing center of Guilin Painting, Root Carving, etc.

Ba Gui Shopping Mall in Guilin

Located in the west side of Zhongshan Road, and east to Guilin Center Square, the shopping mall is covered by clothes and footwear from the first floor to third floor. Around the shopping mall there are many fashion stores. It is always the most important shopping place for the locals.

NiKo NiKo Do Plaza in Guilin

NiKo NiKo Do Plaza is a competitive modern department store gathering retailing, entertainment, diet. Situated in the busiest Cross Square, the mansion has six floors. The mansion is designed by Guilin Architecture Design Institute and fitment by Japanese Chuan Chang Gu Company. It is always the most important shopping place for the locals.

Guilin Unique Shopping Streets

West Street, Yangshuo, Guilin

Situated in the heart of the town, West Street is an ancient street with a history of more than 1400 years. On both sides of the street arrays immense amount of architectures with the style of Ming and Qing Dynasty. West Street is a unique “foreigners street”, attracting a large number of international travelers. West Street has seen countless foreigners from all over the world and it has reputed to be “Earth Village in China”. Those who have been to West Street feel at home because everyone here speaks fluent English and the restaurants and bars provide menus in several languages, which is really the biggest Foreign Language Corner. Young Western bicyclists and backpackers in International Cafes, such as Mickey Mao's, Hard Rock Café or at Lisa's Café eating apple pie, beefsteak, French fries, and ice-cream sundaes. Foreign visitors can easily find the western food what they need on this street. The whole street is filled with small shops and vendor's stands selling all kinds of souvenirs and snacks. The traditional Chinese accouterment are hung in the western-style stores such as Totemic coloring cloth, inwrought small bag, all kinds of Chinese Knots and Safety Fu (a kind of ornament blessing for safety). The profound Chinese love knot ties in every hole and corner of the street, attracting thousands of foreigners being anxious to know Chinese.West Street is an ancient street emanating historical cultural tinge. It was here that Sun Yat-Sen made the lecture; it was here that Maestro Xu Beihong lived; it was here that makes thousands of different countries' presidents, premiers, and ministers stayed and visited. Those pieces of blue flagstone printed too much hardships and refulgence of the masters, which is the trace of China.

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is an ancient street with a history of over 1,000 years. According to the historical records, in old time it was the concentrated place for stores of clothes, ironware, kames, etc. Since Tang Dynasty it has been the center of drama culture. Now it is a must tour sight combining commerce and visit.With a length of 666 meters, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is located in the downtown of Guilin city, well paved with bluestone. It is surrounded by restaurants, bars, night clubs, hotels, fashion and shoes outlets, theatres, stadiums, commercial facilities and scenic spots. The architectures on both sides of the street are Chinese and Western style. It has all of the conveniences that are required for good shopping in a very pleasant environment. Its shops and restaurants bring thousands of people daily to the area and at night it pulsates with life as people use the many venues that offer great night life.

Zhongshan Road Night Market

As the main traffic avenue running through the South and North of Guilin, Zhongshan Road Night Market is the commercial center every evening. The night market on Zhongshan Road is the best place to pick up souvenirs and trinkets. The market is available from 7:30pm to midnight when half of the main street is blocked to cars for the market. The colorful market offers some products unique to southern China such as the ethnic dresses, ethnic minority music instruments, paper fan, bamboo carvings and jade pieces. Many locals mingle with visitors, maybe not to buy but to enjoy the atmosphere. The real fun of the market may come in finding some souvenirs or in the experience of haggling and hustling with the locals.