Guilin shopping tips

What To Buy in Guilin?

Shopping is always an exciting part of a Guilin tour. Shopping in Guilin is a little different compared with in big Chinese cities. There are something unique in this beautiful region and worthwhile to bring home as souvenirs.

South Sea Pearls The South Sea Pearls in China have been well known all around the world for their fine quality and long-lasting luster. Hepu in Guangxi province produces the finest South Sea Pearls in China. Located in the North Guangxi province close to Hepu, Guilin is an ideal place to buy South Sea Pearls if you are not visiting Hepu.

Chinese Landscape Ink Paintings Famed as the "most scenic place under Heaven", Guilin's landscape has been the subject of Chinese artists for thousands of years. In order to capture inspirations and get close to the natural beauty, many ink painting artists and institutions have settled down in Guilin. This makes Guilin an excellent place to buy fine ink painting works at inexpensive prices.

Minority Handicrafts Guilin is rich in minority cultures with 28 ethnic groups living in the area. These ethnic people are still producing their traditional costumes' and handicrafts in the old fashion way. Among them, costumes and headdress of Zhang and Yao ethnic groups are most attractive. Real handmade minority handicrafts are expensive however they are truly valuable souvenirs to bring home.

Guilin Local Specialties The most famous local specialties in Guilin include Dry Sweet Osmanthus Flowers, Sugar Sweet Osmanthus, Dried Longan, Luo-Han-Guo Fruit. They are nutritious and healthy. Locals often use them as sweetener in cooking, or to make healthy drink or desserts.

The most famous local fruit is Sha-Tian Grapefruit. It is kind of big fruit with soft, thick, and rough yellow skin matured during autumn. Its meat taste sweet with special fragrance.

Where to Go Shopping in Guilin?

Shoppers in Guilin can purchase anything from tea and clothing. There three major shopping districts in Guilin City: Zhong Shan Road and Zheng Yang Pedestrian Street (Walking Street) located in the city's center, and Wa Yao Wholesale Shopping District in south Guilin. West Street in Yangshuo County offers some unique items that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Zhong Shan Road Zhong Shan Road is the longest commercial street in Guilin City with many big department stores in the street, as well as many boutique stores including some famous brands.

NiKo-NiKo-Do Plaza (微笑堂) Address: 37 Zhongshan Middle Road Business Hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Negotiable: No Niko-Niko-Do Plaza is one of the best shopping malls, and may be the most popular one in Guilin. If you are looking for quality clothing, shoes, electronics, and cosmetics, it is a right place to go. There are some fine restaurants on the top floor and a KFC outlet on the ground floor facing the main street. Niko-Niko-Do Plaza has an under group food supermarket, where you can purchase local specialties.

Dream Island Department Store (夢之島百貨) Address: 20 Zhongshan Middle Road Business Hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Negotiable: No Similar to Niko-Niko-Do Plaza, Dream Island Department Store is another place to go for quality brand goods. There is also a KFC outlet on the ground floor facing the main street.

Bā Guì Dà Shà (Osmanthus Shopping Plaza八桂大廈) Address: 47 Zhongshan Middle Road Business Hours: 9:00 am – 9:30 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Negotiable: Yes There are many clothing and shoe stores in this shopping plaza, where you can bargain the prices. The prices in most stores are inexpensive, and the quality is reasonable. You could either get deals or ripped off when shopping in here, so also ways remember to bargain.