Things to buy in Lhasa

Things to buy in Lhasa


Tibetan Thangka 唐卡

Tibetan masks 面具

Tibetan metalwork 藏银饰品

Dzi bead (Tianzhu) 天珠

Tibetan carpets 藏毯

Tibetan knives 藏刀

Tibetan medicine 藏药



Tibetan Thangka 唐卡

Thangkas are typical Tibetan wall scrolls that usually depict strong religious or cultural themes. Developed over centuries, thangkas are an important cultural object and are highly valued by Tibetan people. Most are intricate and colorful, with designs of Buddhas, historical scenes or cultural emblems. Though most are drawn and inked, other examples of thangkas include those that are embroidered, or even made from pearls.

• Barkhor Thangka Painting Department Store
This store mainly deals with the making and selling of Thangkas, and it is a popular venue catering to tourists, with attendants that speak English and Chinese.
Add: 10 Bakuo Dongjie (East Barkhor Street), Lhasa.
Tel: 0891-6344930

• Handmade Thangka Store
It mainly sells handmade thangkas featuring portraits of Buddhas and other handicrafts. It is the oldest shop that specialized in producing and selling thangkas on Barkhor Street and it has a good relationship with local temples. They take commissions, and many people order thangkas for delivery from here
Price: From a few hundred to more than 10,000 RMB, depending on the size, complexity and degree of decoration.
Add: 83 Bakuo Beijie (North Barkhor Street ), Lhasa
Tel: 0891-6830690

• Shengdi Thangka Art House
It mainly makes and sells thangkas.
Add: 18 Bakuo Beijie (North Barkhor Street ), Lhasa

• Tibet Dapeng Ethnic Handicrafts Development Co., Ltd
Add: Norbulingka Co., Ltd, Lhasa
Tel: 0891-6818066
Fax: 0891-6826757

• Potala Palace Thangka Gallery
It sells Tibetan pure-wool carpets, jewelry, jade, religious articles, paintings, carvings and handicrafts.
Add: administrative department of Potala Palace, Lhasa
Tel: 0891-6826356
Fax: 0891-6826757

• Symukapu Antique Store
It mainly sells metal Buddha portraits, handicrafts and thangkas.
Features: with a history spanning more than 70 years, it is an old store on Barkhor Street, with a wide range of products.
Add: 112 Bakuo Beijie (North Barkhor Street ), Lhasa
Tel: 0891-6336518

Tibetan masks 面具
The traditional masks found in Tibet differ from those in other parts of China. The themes and styles of Tibetan masks take their influences directly from Tibetan culture and history, with special emphasis on traditional Tibetan opera. Opera masks are divided into a number of different categories, mostly depicting different traditional roles.

Tibetan metalwork 藏银饰品
Local silver, gold and copper are the most common materials used for making jewelry like bracelets, necklaces and other trinkets. Tibetan silver is quite fine, and is often decorated or inscribed with passages in the Tibetan language, making for a uniquely Tibetan object. The jewelry in Tibet often has different cultural connotations and meanings, ranging from symbols of purity and luck, to charms that drive off evil spirits.

Dzi bead (Tianzhu) 天珠
Tibetan dzi beads are locally believed to ward off evil, protect the wearer from disaster, and bring good fortune. The beads, all made of semi-precious stones, contain precious metal or a gem making them valuable not only sentimentally, but also monetarily. Dzi beads were first recorded as appearing about 3000 years ago, and were then referred to as ‘God beads’. Tibetans believe it is good luck to own a dzi bead, and those who have a dzi bead can expect everlasting fortune.

Tibetan carpets 藏毯
Tibetan carpets have a history that spans over 6000 years. Hand-knotted Tibetan carpets are dyed with natural colors that will not easily fade, and always feature interesting and culturally significant designs. The best Tibetan highland wool used in carpets is soft and luxurious, even in the more inexpensive examples. It is quite durable, and will stand up to decades of daily use without fading or wear.

Tibetan knives 藏刀
The knives produced in Tibet are a unique souvenir, notable for fine workmanship, keen edges and distinctive local style.

Tibetan medicine 藏药
Traditional Tibetan medicine forms an integral part of the Tibetan culture. It is a practice utilizing many local flora and fauna to treat various conditions and diseases, which has developed over the course of more then 2000 years. Many Tibetan medicines can be found in normal drugstores in Lhasa.
 

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