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!
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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…
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
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”.
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.
Shu Brocade (#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.
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.
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.
Tibetan style decorations
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.
Lacquerware
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.
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.
Bamboo handicrafts (#where 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.
Panda-themed souvenirs
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.
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
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.
Sichuan Hot Pot Packaged Spices (Sichuan Hot Pot Soup Base)
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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.