Kunming Shopping

The handcrafts in Kunming are very famous and the representatives are ivory and woodcarvings. Bamboo handicrafts are especially popular. The unique ethnic products like Dai brocade and Dai bamboo basketry are excellent souvenirs. You are recommended to buy local products in Wal-Mart to avoid false special products.

Dai brocade and Dai bamboo basketry are handcrafts made by Dai people with excellent technique. Beside the handcrafts, you can also buy dried mushrooms, tropical fruits and batik in Kunming. Nan Yao Market beside the railway station is the largest open market dealing primarily with local specialties and handicrafts. The Bird and Flower Market also offer pets, curios, artwork, handcraft, etc. Please note that ivory and ivory articles are forbidden to be taken out of China according to its policy.

Kunming is famous for local handiwork like ivory and woodcarving, Dai Jin (brocade made by Dai artisans), and Dai Zhu Bian (Dai bamboo basketry).

The Kunming Department Store is conveniently located on Dongfeng West Road in the center of the city. You can buy all kinds of daily commodities there. Qian Cun Department Store on Renmin Middle Road is a new and modern store popular with tourists.

Ivory carving is the carving of ivory, that is to say animal tooth or tusk, by using sharp cutting tools, either mechanically or manually. The ancient craft has now virtually ceased, as since CITES it is illegal under most circumstances throughout the world.

Humans have ornamentally carved ivory since prehistoric times, and much of the prehistoric work reveals information about the use of tools during the carving's time period. The ivory figure of Khufu, for the builder of the Great Pyramid, is considered a masterpiece. Ivory carvings have been discovered in the tombs of ancient Chinese rulers. Since the late Roman era ivory has been a prestigous medium for Christian art.

Kunming wood carving is bigger than the ivory carving in size. This kind of carving products is mainly in wood furniture including chairs, benches and tea tables. It is all known that Yunnan is one of the best places to purchase goods made from wood. The pieces are extraordinarily smooth and sometimes polished or lacquered, making them warm and pleasing to the touch.