Traveling in Dali City, if you want to take a few small gifts to go back home, don’t worry about you won’t find the place to buy. In Dali Ancient City or Xiaguan, you can buy marble artwork made of the scholar’s four jewels (writing brush, ink, stick, ink slab and paper) flowerpots, vases, lamps and lanterns, etc.
What to buy in Dali?
Full of rich national characteristics of the Bai batik, tie-dye is popular handicrafts, in the ancient city and Xiaguan can be seen everywhere; Jianchuan woodcarving, was originally among folk craftsmen to make furniture, doors and windows, folding screens etc., have developed some small handicraft carvings in recent years for tourists to carry, available in various arts and crafts shop.
Dali Snow Pear
Owing to the climate and the soil condition of Dali, the pears which grow here are much sweeter in flavor, and have thinner skins and more tender flesh. The main growing area for Dali snow pears is on the eastern side of Erhai Lake. Every August and September in the harvest season, people come from all around to Erhai Lake to pick pears and celebrate the harvest.
The Compressed Tea (Tuo Cha) of Xia Guan
Due to its resemblance to the shape of a fungus, the compressed tea of Xia Guan is called 'Tuo Cha'. It enjoys an excellent reputation for its fragrance and cleansing effects. Xiaguan can promote health by refreshing both body and mind and is also an excellent method used for weight-loss.
Engraved Green Plum
A traditional food of the Bai people is made from dried green plums. These are engraved with various patterns and designs. The fruit can be eaten after months spent soaking in pickling juice made from salt, brown sugar and honey. Having the dual effects of promoting the production of bodily fluids and relieving thirst, as well as displaying artistry, the engraved green plum fruit is both a popular food and a delicate work of art.
Tie-dye of Bai Minority
The tie-dye of the Bai Minority is usually made by stitching patterns on cotton cloth and impregnating them in plant dye. Traditional dyed fabrics have white patterns on a background of indigo and are used for tablecloths, door curtains, hats, clothes, and scarves as well as other items. In Zhoucheng Village, there are many family workshops which make dyed fabrics. Visitors can take minibuses and carriages to the village.
Bai Batik (Dali Embroidery)
Rich national characteristics of the Bai batik and tie-dye are everyone's favorite handicrafts, and can be seen everywhere in the Dali ancient city and Xiaguan; Dali prefecture Dengchuan dairy fan is very famous, and it is available at many local shop and market; Xiaguan Tuo tea, shape like a mushroom cap, and it is not revert even you keep it for long time and it is available at many local stores; Dali snow pear, native to eastern Erhai lake, and it is white and delicious.
Local Foods
Dali prefecture Dengchuan dairy fan is very famous, grocery and at farm product market are available; Xiaguan Tuo tea, shaped like a mushroom cap, is not stale in a long time with unique aroma, which is available in the grocery; Dali snow pear what native to eastern Erhai lake, its pulp is white and tender.
Where to buy?
Huguo Road of Dali Old Town
Also called the foreigners' street, it is the must visit place for tourists, there has concentration of various fabrics, crafts, and Yunnan-Tibet ethnic minority local specialty, and going to numerous stores tourists often have unexpected harvest.
In Butterfly Spring there is a village called
Zhoucheng, from
Dali or Xiaguan, there are minibuses and carriages going there. The villagers here almost everyone has its own special dye cloth workshops, tourists might as well go and see. When buying batiks, price can be appropriately barging, the price of batik is 20 Yuan. Local seal carving is also very good.
Zhengyang Department Store
July 11, 2008 Bus: 10
Jianshe Department Store
Address: No.1, East Jianshe Road, Xiaguan
Bus: 8, 9, 12, 17
Wholesale Market
Visitors can find bazaars in Xingsheng Road and Fuxing Road in the city, where small commodities can be found easily. The No.6 city bus passes the vegetable wholesale market.
Sifangjie (Square Street) Supermarket
Address: No.13, West Street, Xiaguan
No.342, Fuxing Road, Dali Ancient City
No.43-46, Zhenxing Street, Xiaguan
Minsheng Shopping Market
Address: Guangfa Mansion, Central Jianshe Road, Xiaguan
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