Lhasa Shopping

Lhasa shopping will bring you some information about what to buy and where to buy in Lhasa. Tibet is a place that many people yearn for, and some may only come here once or twice in their whole lives. Lhasa is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Tibet, attracting a crowd of tourist from home and abroad every year. Therefore, in addition to taking beautiful photos and tasting authentic Tibetan food, most people will buy some souvenirs when they leave.

What to Buy in Lhasa 

Lhasa is well-known for its fascinating landscapes, mysterious thousand-year-old history, splendid Tibetan culture and mysterious religious culture. Therefore, there are quite a few religious object and ethnic handicrafts in Lhasa.

Religious Objects

Tibet has a long history of Buddhism. In Tibet, many people's lives are dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism. Religious customs are part of everyday life, from chanting mantras and prostrating in a local square to walking the "kora" around a temple or sacred site. Therefore, religious objects are essential. The best known religious souvenirs you can carry back to your land from Tibet are the Tibetan incense sticks, the Tibetan thangka, the Tibetan prayer wheels, Tibetan Buddhas, Tibetan mask, Buddha beads and the prayer flags.

Tibetan Crafts

These traditional crafts are made from a variety of things including precious metals, natural materials and so on. Silver and copper are precious metals and natural materials are usually bamboo, wood and even bones. Tibetan handicrafts are very popular in the whole world. There are many handicraft products full of local flavor and ethnic style in Tibet, including various kinds of traditional Tibetan weaved and knited products like wooden bowls, silver bowls and bamboo bowls. There are also Tibetan knife, Tibetan rugs, masks, daggers, etc. 

Tibetan Medicines

Except for handicrafts and the other religious souvenirs, Tibetan medicines are also important aspects to test your shopping experience in Tibet. Tibetan medicine is a unique medical system formed through long-term practice on the basis of extensive absorption and integration of traditional Chinese medicine, Indian medicine and other medical theories. Tibetan medicine has a history of more than 1000 years. It is one of the comparatively complete and influential ethnic drugs in our country. The Tibetan medicines Like saffron, cordyceps and snow lotus are the popular medicinal herbs that are used for curative purposes. 

Yak Dairy Products

Yaks are a gift from nature to the Tibetan people. They live on the plateau of 3,000-5,000 meters above sea level in the cold zone, known as "the boat of life" on the snow plateau. The good ecological environment guarantees the natural and green quality of yak milk, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. Tibetan people use yak milk for many kinds of food, such as milk residue, ghee, yogurt and so on.

Where to Buy in Lhasa

Shopping Streets in Lhasa

Yuthok Road(宇拓路)

There are many department stores in Lhasa, mostly on Yuthok Road, which supplies everyday needs or local handicrafts. Some supermarkets can be easily found in Lhasa, such as Lhasa department store and Hongyan Supermarket Chains mainly distributed in Lhasa downtown.

Barkhor Street

Tibet is a charming and historical wonder. Your trip is not perfect without an fantastic shopping experience at Barkhor Square. So it is wise to spend at least half a day exploring the Barkhor Street or the other place of the city freely after you finish your sightseeings.

Barkhor Street is a traditional Tibetan shopping center, where shopkeepers with small shops and stores on the street supply 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. All the handicrafts are specially designed and they are great souvenirs anyway that you can take back home, but don’t take the expensive items. Exotic Tibetan opera masks and costumes are really attractive. Brightly colored, beautifully homespun Tibetan rugs and khaddar are also popular souvenirs. Tibetan carpet can be bought at the Tash Delek Tibetan Rug Factory.

Supermarkets and Shopping Centers in Lhasa

  • Baiyi Supermarket(百益·超市)
    Address: No.1, Yutuo Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区宇拓路1号
    Tel: 0891-6320140
  • Saikang Baiyi Supermarket(赛康百益·超市)
    Address: No.25, Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区北京东路25号
    Tel: 0891-6329680
  • Wanjiale Supermarket(万家乐超市)
    Address: No.7, South Section of Linkuo East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区林廓东路南段7号
    Tel: 0891-6851959/18080357988
  • Damai Supermarket(大麦超市)
    Address: No.44, Duosenge North Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区朵森格北路44号
  • Tengwang Supermarket(腾王超市)
    Address: No.45, Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区北京中路45号
    Tel: 0891-6825739
  • Youpin Supermarket(优品超市)
    Address: No.8, Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区北京东路8号
    Tel: 0891-6503755/13550260093
  • Sheng Mei Jia(圣美家)
    Address: No.47, Sela Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区色拉路47号
    Tel: 0891-6389991
  • GIS Shopping Mall(GIS购物广场)
    Address: No.46, North Section of Deji Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区德吉路北段46号
  • Lhasa Department Store(拉萨百货大楼)
    Address: No.1, Yutuo Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区宇拓路1号
    Tel: 0891-6325300
  • Shenli Times Square(神力时代广场)
    Address: No.37, Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa拉萨市城关区北京东路37号
    Tel: 0891-6766666