Diqing Shopping
Most of the inhabitants are Tibetans. There are some typical local products that you can take. Because of the unique geographical location and complicated topography, there are a lot of medicinal herbs in Diqing Prefecture. So when travel to Diqing, visitors can buy some medicinal herbs at local shops.
What to Buy
1. Tibetan Pulu ribbons
Pulu in the Tibetan language means woolen ribbon, which can be divided into Red Pulu, Blue Pulu and Cross Pulu, etc. Tibetan Pulu ribbons are symbolically important in term of their colors, for instance, red for women, yellow for men, black for the elderly. And women normally wear these ribbons on the head or wraparound skirts, while men tie them on the waist or put on over the shoulder.
2. Yi Ethnic lacquer wares
The most outstanding lacquer wares in Shangri-la (former Zhongdian) area are wine vessels designed in the shapes of eagle claw, goose claw, horn and boar hoof. Admiring raptors and fierce beasts, the Yi ethnic people in Shangri-la in old times used these utensils to show off their nobility and power.
Patterns on lacquer wares include natural patterns, animals, plants, life scenes, production scenes, and cultural images, among which animals are the most dominating-and followed by plants. This can be why the Yi ethnic group underline the animal husbandry in their life, since they had undergone a long nomadic history, settled down and finally survived on farming.
3. Black pottery wares of Tangdui Village
Tangdui, in Nixi Township of Shangri-la City, is a small Tibetan village nestling along the popular adventure route from Shangri-la to Deqin in Northwest Yunnan. Tangdui Village is the most “Shangri-la” part of Shangri-la. As a tiny village standing by green grassland on which flocks of yaks, sheep and horses graze, it gives a sense of timeless tranquility. However, Tangdui Village is best known for its traditional black pottery, a miracle among Tibetan handicrafts.
4. Highland barley wine
Highland barley wine is one of the three symbolic goods of Tibetan culture. It is a unique kind of wine brewed by the highland barley and the unpolluted snow water or spring water. It is the favorite wine of the Tibetan people, a must in big festivals, celebrations and daily lives.
5. Ophiocordyceps sinensis
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly known as Cordyceps sinensis) is an entomopathogenic fungus (a fungus that grows on insects) found in mountainous regions like Diqing and Tibet. It parasitizes larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body which used to be valued as a herbal remedy which is thought to improve human immunity.
6. Yak meat
This is a sweet and delicately flavored red meat. Yak is juicier than buffalo and elk, and never gamey. It is lighter tasting than beef, never greasy. This all-natural premium lean meat is never bland or mushy. This most desirable flavor and “feel”for discerning palettes come from its lean tender meat and natural oils.
7. Fritillary
The function of Fritillary is to relieve a cough and reduce phlegm. This herb grows in highlands, forests and valleys of 2,800 – 4,500 meters high.
8. Snow lotus herb
It has great medicinal functions and grows in places in snow mountains of 4,000 meters high.
