Xi'an Shopping

For those of you going between Beijing and Xi'an, the prices in Xi'an is definitely better than what you could get in Beijing.

Again, remember to bargain. Start at very low price. Don't forget that labour cost for producing the goods in China is very very low. You would be surprised.

Plenty of shops selling all kind of products ranging from food, clothing, bags, etc.

One particular shop was selling most clothing at 38RMB including 2 layer down jackets. Really cheap. Did'nt had the size of the one I had chosen. Now, I kicked myself for not buying others items as 38RMB is cheap compared to Beijing or other parts of Xi'an.

On the same street, one shop was blaring out 10RMB for any bags, luggages. Again, because we wanted to buy one in our return leg to Beijing, we didn't buy one and fully regretted having to buy one 20" trollery luggage in Beijing (XiuShui) at 80RMB.

Remember to bargain even though the offer price is very cheap.

What to pay: 20%-30% of initial asking price by seller

In ChangLe XiLu, there 2 wholesale market for the locals. The final transacted price is reasonably cheap. Lots of Bargaining required.

Never be afraid to offer (final) at 20% of the initial asking price.

Lots of stalls, shops and you can shop around for the best price.

I spent a whole afternoon there!

What to buy: Clothing
Shoes
Luggages
Many more

What to pay: Start with 10% of asking price and settle at about 20% of the asking price.

I don't know why, but I always buy flags and other ceremonial stuff at one of the many shops just off Xidajie. There are streets with the same stuff in Beijing, but it has become a habit now.
The best street runs to the north into the Muslim quarter, about three blocks west of the Drum Tower. There is another shorter street which runs south of Xidajie, just to the west of the Bell Tower Hotel, but with less shops.

What to buy: Flags of every nation, in every size. You can buy versions on little stands, or huge affairs big enough to drape over your house. Also huge numbers and sizes of Chinese emblems and Communist Party symbols that are hung on municipal buildings. These are particularly cool souvenirs of China, but are about three metres in diameter! Go on, shock the neighbours: hang one of these beauties on your porch and tell them you've been officially appointed the local Chinese consulate.

What to pay: Varies.

It's expensive to shop at the shopping centres, shop in the streets, in those shops you can bargain and can usually find what you're looking for there. The exception is electronics. Get them at the shopping centres, there's a warranty so at least you have a guarantee for quality.

These street stalls and small shops sell all sorts of Chinese things you might want. The road stretches from just east of the north end of the South Gate (got that?), to the Forest of Steles.

What to buy: Things for sale at reasonable prices: Ink paintings, good luck knots (those red rope things), vases, fade jade items, fake terracotta warriors, replica weapons, and bunch more.

What to pay: Of course bargin a lot.

This narrow street beside the Great Mosque is one of the most interesting places to find chinese junk to nice pieces of handicraft. And at a reasonable price.

Of course, you need to exercise your oriental patience and bargain a lot...

If you ask some price, please, do not give your price back unless you really want to buy it. If the vendors accept your price, you just HAVE to buy it...

Stick to your price and bargain...

What to buy: Handicrafts...

What to pay: Much less than asked the first time... if you do business for more than 1/3 of the first price, it's bad business.

I have no idea what the real name of this place is called. The credit card receipt was no help, and there was no real sign on the multi-building factory. But is was definitely an interesting visit, seeing the various crafts people at work. I bought some lacquer ware bracelets and boxes for presents. What I really wanted was one of the silk rugs, but they were way out of my price range.