Shopping

The historical prosperity of Pingyao established in ancient times has left this city of many millennia imposing city walls and a series of ancient buildings as well as a vitality for handcrafts and local products:

Tuiguang Lacquerware (Polished Lacquerware):
Pingyao's Tuiguang Lacquerware is famous for its fine hand polished finish. The process used in its production dates from the early years of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and it prospered in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911). With a simple antique appearance, such lacquerware looks most elegant, with a wonderful smooth, shining surface.

The principal color of the lacquerware is coal-black, but Chinese red, an apricot color or greenish purple are also used. Most are then decorated with golden and resplendent designs based on figures from classical novels or legends. What's more, the designs are achieved with inlays of small polished shells, mother of pearl, ivory and even colorful pebbles, which add much to their delicate appeal. There is a wide variety of lacquerware available ranging from folding screens, wardrobes or jewelry caskets.

Recommended shop:
Hunqi Zhai: The lacquerware available here is famous in Pingyao. What's more, the Hunqi Zhai is also an ancient residence with typical Shanxi style.
Address: No.7, Huludu, Shuyuan Street, Pingyao Old City

Liuhetai Pillow: 'Liuhetai' refers to the harmony and peace of the world in Chinese. The 'Liuhetai Pillow' is different from the traditional solid pillow we use. It is almost cuboid with symmetrical communicating apertures on each side. Such a design endows the pillow with an ability to breathe that promotes good health. Because of these special holes, people do not feel pressure on their ears during sleep.

Cloth Shoes: The handmade cloth shoes in Pingyao are commonly seen. Cloth shoes are quite absorbent and ventilate the feet. They are not as hard as leather shoes and so are inclined to be much more comfortable. You will find various kinds of cloth shoes sold in Pingyao's streets: some in simple black, some are embroidered and some are of damask cloth. All of them may be regarded as exquisite handicrafts as well as practical shoes promoting good to health.

Recommended shop:
Qu's Shoes Shop
The shoes on sale here are made on the premises. Various kinds of cloth shoes are available.
Address: No.31, North Avenue, Pingyao Old City

In addition to the items mentioned above, Pingyao's Paper-Cuts and Facial Painting are also well-known in China. Paper-Cutting has mainly a harmonious theme of people, animals and plants drawn from daily life and these delicate works always show an auspicious connotation as well as their decorative value. Facial Painting in Pingyao is mainly about Jin Opera and Beijing Opera. Jin Opera is the local opera of Shanxi and its Facial Painting is quite similar to that of Beijing Opera.

Tips: Within Pingyao Old City, you can bargain for almost all goods when you want to buy them (even when you charter a batter car or book a hostel). What's more, the local products mentioned above are available in the Ancient Ming and Qing Street.

Department Store:
Gutao Department Store
Address: No.19, Yongan Street, Pingyao County

Super Markets:
Some local products such as products made of Chinese Yam can be found in the super market here.

Wanfulong
Address: No.9, Shuncheng Road, Pingyao County

Jiajiali
Pingyao Branch
Address: No.25, Shuncheng Road, Pingyao County
Pingyao Yufeng Branch
Address: No.79, Western Avenue, Pingyao County