Chengdu Lacquerware | source: chinadesigncentre.com

During the exciting trips to Chengdu, many people wonder what to buy and where to buy them to bring back to their relatives and friends. Understanding this, we will bring you some great suggestions. Continue to find out the best places to buy gifts right in the city in this article. So, what to buy in Chengdu and where to shop in Chengdu? Let’s check out our Chengdu shopping guide with the list of 13+ must-buy Chengdu souvenirs and best things to buy in Chengdu as follows!

Chengdu, China
Jinli street, where you can find various shops selling souvernis in Chengdu
Artisans working at a workshop in Chengdu | What to buy in Chengdu

Chengdu is a shopping paradise with bustling markets, modern shopping malls and centers and streets specializing in selling unique handicrafts. Visitors can find typical souvenirs such as panda statues, Shu handmade embroidery products, Sichuan tea or typical spices of local cuisine…

Anshun Bridge, the symbol of Chengdu with countless shops along the rivers
Luodai Ancient Town, Chengdu | What to buy in Chengdu

What to buy in Chengdu: Some gift, souvenir suggestions in Chengdu

Specialties and souvenirs in Chengdu, China are very diverse for you to choose from, however, to bring Chengdu souvenirs back, you can buy the following typical items:

Shu Embroidery

| What to buy in Chengdu

Shu embroidery artworks are also known as “Chuan Embroidery”. These paintings are famous all over the world for their amazing delicacy. Each skillful needle and thread creates sharp, soft and excellent quality pictures. To describe the quintessence of the artisan, the Chinese people have a saying: “The needle is precise and soft, the color is simple and delicate, the embroidery is light and graceful, the style is traditional”.

Chengdu Shu Embroidery | What to buy in Chengdu

The unique motifs used in Shu embroidery often are flowers, birds, worms and people. You will often find embroidered details in pillowcases, embroidered shoes, wedding dresses, hats, clothes, etc.

| What to buy in Chengdu

source: justfly.vn | What to buy in Chengdu

Shu Brocade (#What to buy in Chengdu)

| What to buy in Chengdu

In Chinese brocade art, Shu is one of the four most famous styles. Specifically, the top four include: Song brocade, Yun brocade, Zhuang brocade and Shu brocade. The color and uniformity of quality are what make this brocade stand out. Shu brocade originated from ancient Sichuan villages and has been preserved strongly to this day.

| What to buy in Chengdu

Brocade items, usually made of silk, are one of the most popular souvenirs for tourists. They not only carry the essence of Chinese culture but also have high value.

| What to buy in Chengdu
source: tripadvisor | What to buy in Chengdu
source: https://www.facebook.com/asiandramanews | What to buy in Chengdu

The oldest brocade style in Chengdu is Shu embroidery – one of the four most famous embroidery styles in China. There are many items using this technique for decoration, including embroidery, quilt covers, pillowcases, clothing items, shoes, etc. You can freely refer to and choose the most suitable gift.

| What to buy in Chengdu

Tibetan style decorations

source: chengdu-expat.com | What to buy in Chengdu

Tibetan culture has long played an indispensable role in the overall development of China, especially the mountainous areas of Sichuan. Therefore, you can find many souvenir items in the area near Wuhou Temple. These include unique, brightly colored beaded jewelry, paintings or more traditional items made of gold, silver and bronze.

source: mariaabroad.com | What to buy in Chengdu

Lacquerware

| What to buy in Chengdu

Chengdu is considered the cradle of Chinese lacquerware with 3,000 years of development and has been listed as a national heritage. Talented artisans have breathed life into lacquerware by using vibrant colors and intricate details. Popular gifts include vases, bowls and jewelry boxes with a variety of colors and sizes to choose from.

source: gochengdu.cn | What to buy in Chengdu
source: chinadesigncentre.com | What to buy in Chengdu

Chengdu is the capital of lacquer painting alongside traditional embroidery and weaving. Works originating in this area are considered to have delicate surfaces with rich tonal depth and decorative techniques. Over a long period of time, Chengdu lacquerware has always been the first choice of art connoisseurs.

source: justfly.vn | What to buy in Chengdu

Bamboo handicrafts (#where to buy in chengdu)

| What to buy in Chengdu

Similar to Vietnam, bamboo also plays an extremely important role in Chinese culture. Local people have skillful hands. They have transformed the rustic appearance of the tree trunk into extremely delicate handicrafts. Bamboo is dyed in bright colors and whittled into different sizes before weaving. You will find many unique products made from this material such as paper clips, vases, ceramic tea sets, lampshades, etc.

source: tripadvisor | What to buy in Chengdu
source: xinhuanet.com | chengdu shopping guide

Panda-themed souvenirs

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Pandas are a symbol of China in general and Chengdu in particular. Therefore, tourists coming here not only want to see their real-life friends with their own eyes but also want to bring items with that theme home. At souvenir stalls, you can find thousands of cute panda-shaped items from stuffed pandas, refrigerator accessories, posters, hats, shirts, keychains, etc.

source: gochengdu.cn | chengdu shopping guide
Panda keychains | source: globaltimes.cn | chengdu shopping guide

This is also a very popular gift, because Chengdu is the hometown of giant pandas. This cute animal is very popular, so there are many souvenir products to choose from. Including postcards, keychains, T-shirts, stuffed toys, panda statues and even embroidery.

Scrolls, calligraphy paintings

Elderly man painting traditional Chinese calligraphy | chengdu shopping guide

Calligraphy paintings and scrolls with the meaning of fortune and luck are valuable gifts to display and are often bought as home decoration gifts or given as gifts, which are extremely meaningful. This is also a way for you to bring a part of Chengdu art and culture to your room.

Chinese calligraphy and painting scrolls | chengdu shopping guide
| chengdu shopping guide
| chengdu what to buy

Sichuan Hot Pot Packaged Spices (Sichuan Hot Pot Soup Base)

The world’s famous dish of Sichuan | chengdu what to buy

Spicy hot pot is a popular and famous dish of this region. And if you are a lover of this dish or want to introduce it to your relatives, do not forget to buy packaged hot pot spices at famous hot pot restaurants or supermarkets. This type of spice is characterized by the number of ingredients used as well as being only available in the Sichuan mountains, making this dish unique.

Spicy hot pot soup base blocks | source: redhousespice.com | chengdu what to buy
source: amazon | chengdu what to buy

It is one of the specialties you can buy to bring back for relatives and friends to enjoy this famous hot pot flavor.

Instant Chengdu Noodles

@pongmarket.se | chengdu what to buy

When it comes to choosing a unique and meaningful gift, nothing can compare to discovering the local cuisine. And in the case of Chengdu, the traditional Noodles will bring a sublimation of taste to your loved ones. Renowned as a culinary symbol of the city, Chengdu Noodles is not just a meal, but also a work of art that transcends time.

@amazon | chengdu what to buy

Chengdu Noodles are not only attractive because of their delicious taste but also because of the delicate blend of fresh ingredients. From the soft noodles to the sweet broth, each flavor in the noodle dish tells the story of the land of Qingdu and the blend of diverse culinary cultures. You can taste these flavors by grab some instant Chengdu noodles to bring back.

Sichuan Tea (#chengdu what to buy)

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When it comes to unique and meaningful gifts from Chengdu, Sichuan tea is definitely a choice that cannot be missed. More than just a relaxing drink, Sichuan tea carries the distinctive flavors of unique herbs and spices, creating an interesting and vibrant experience of the culture and cuisine of this city.

Tea is the most chosen gift by tourists. Tea is considered a spiritual beauty of the Chinese people.

Sichuan tea is unlike any other tea. The taste of this tea is not simply bitter, sweet or herbal, but a delicate blend of unique herbal and spice ingredients. Each sip of Sichuan tea will take you on a journey of discovery of a different taste sensation, with emotions and aromas that you will never forget.

| chengdu what to buy

Traditional hats

Hat made from bamboo | chengdu what to buy

Continued reading…