Shopping in Tibet

If you plan to travel to remote areas of Tibet, it’s better for you to buy some things that you need in Lhasa, especially on Yuthok Lu that supply everyday needs. For instance, Lhasa Department Store is situated on the west end of Yuthok Lu, which is the largest and best known department store in Lhasa and sells practical items such as cotton clothing, mugs, canned food, towels, and toothpaste, as well as local handicrafts. There are also some supermarkets in Lhasa, such as Hongyan Supermarket Chains mainly distributed in Lhasa downtown.

It is full of scenic and historical wonder in Tibet. Even you have explored all the wonders, but you have no a fantastic shopping experience at Barkhor Square, you don’t complete your trip. Hence, it is wise to give yourself at least half a day to explore the Barkhor Street or the other place of the city freely after you finish your sightseeing plan.

Barkhor Street is a traditional Tibetan shopping center. There are shopkeepers with small shops and stalls on the street, supplying more traditional and fascinating Tibetan artifacts and handicrafts. These items include prayer flags, Buddha figures, conch-shell trumpets, rosaries, amulets, fur hats, horse bells, bridles, copper teapots, wooden bowls, inlaid knives, and jewelry inlaid with turquoise and other gems. In fact, paying too much on a single item is a little stupid. Do not believe the tour guide if he takes you to some expensive shop. However, you can completely trust that all the handicrafts are unique designed and cheap, and they are nice keepsakes that you can take back home. Among them Tibetan knife is a special item that is not allowed on airplane, but you can certainly mail it to your home by post office.

Then do not forget to examine jewelry for quality carefully. Though numerous jewelry of excellent quality is available, some is coarse and poor in quality. It is very easy to find attractive items, which is unique in Tibetan. Exotic Tibetan opera masks and costumes are really full of attractions. Moreover, there are popular keepsakes such as brightly colored, beautifully homespun Tibetan rugs and khaddar. And you can buy Tibetan carpet at the Tash Delek Tibetan Rug Factory.

As in other traditional markets throughout the world, in order to purchase fantastic things at lower prices, you should try to bargain with the shopkeepers. It’s usually proper to cut half of their asking prices. Apart from shoppers, hundreds of prostrating pilgrims may accompany you, which will be an infusive experience.

If you need maps, it’s good choice to go to Xinhua bookstores. There are three Xinhua bookstores in Lhasa respectively situated on Yuthok Lu, east Barkhor and Beijing Zhong Lu.

To sum up, Tibet is really a place that is full of shopping treasures, which is worth wasting your money to have a wonderful trip completely. Do not go back home with an empty bag.