Things to buy in Urumqi

Things to buy in Urumqi


Handicrafts 手工艺品

Jade Carvings 玉雕

Kashgar Carpets 喀什地毯

Xinjiang Knives 新疆小刀

Musical Instruments 乐器

Fruits and Melons 水果、瓜

Snow lotus 雪莲

Xinjiang raisins 葡萄干

Atlas Silk 艾得里斯绸



Handicrafts 手工艺品

There is a wide variety of things available in Urumqi that are handmade and full of the regional flare of Xinjiang. Traditional clothing, carpets, and any number of smaller ornaments are available, just be sure to sift out the good stuff from the junk, take your time shopping, and use common sense.

Jade Carvings 玉雕
Locally produced Xinjiang jade is skillfully carved into many different designs, both traditionally Xinjiang and Chinese. One of the most valuable stones from the region is white jade, which commands a high price. Intricately carved and polished, jade is an archetypal Chinese souvenir.

Kashgar Carpets 喀什地毯
The style of carpets that Xinjiang is best known for are Kashgar. A traditional product on the silk road for centuries, carpets from the region were traded as far as Europe in the middle ages. They are well known throughout the World to be skillfully made and hard-wearing. Carpets are usually woven in traditional patterns that have cultural or religious significance, with a wide range of colors and styles to choose from.

Xinjiang Knives 新疆小刀
One of the most interesting souvenirs in Xinjiang, the handmade knives that can be found in Xinjiang are beautiful to look at, and well received by all. They range from simple and inexpensive examples to jewel encrusted works of the blacksmith’s art that fetch a king’s ransom. The real thing can be found at moderate prices, but visitors will have to weed through the stacks of factory-made knives to find them. Once the differences are spotted, the real handmade examples stand out easily.

Musical Instruments 乐器
Music is a very important part of Uygur culture that has been around for millennia. The most typical Uygur instruments are drums and stringed instruments. The stringed instruments are either strummed or picked, like a guitar, but sound quite different. Uygur drums come in an array of sizes, though smaller ones like the dapu will be easier to get home!

Fruits and Melons 水果、瓜
The climate of Xinjiang is ideal for producing sweet, juicy melons. Long sunny days and cool nights allow for exceptionally fine fruit to grow here. Other popular fruits of the region are cherries, figs, apricots and peaches. The selection of fruits changes seasonally, and it is difficult to find fruit that is out of season, but there are always vendors selling whatever fruit is at its finest and ripest right then. Beiyuanchun Market, on Kelamayi Xilu is a great place to get your hands on fresh fruits and produce.

Snow lotus 雪莲
The snow lotus is a favorite ingredient used in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has a number of uses from increasing circulation to treating colds. It grows in many areas of Xinjiang, and is exported all over China.

Xinjiang raisins 葡萄干
The sweet Xinjiang raisin can be found in markets and grocery stores all over China. Such is the popularity of this humble dried grape that Xinjiang raisins are known and loved all over Southeast Asia, Japan and Hong Kong. Raisins have been produced in the region for thousands of years, and have been a favorite to emperors and farmers alike. Their unique light-green tinge results from air-drying. The grapes are dried in sheds with brick lattice walls: protected from sunlight, the grapes retain their natural color as they dry, rather than turning brown.

Atlas Silk 艾得里斯绸
Atlas is a type of silk that features bright colors and complex patterns woven right into the fabric. It is popular with locals for both decoration and clothing.

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