Shigatse Shopping
Shigatse is a wonderful place to purchase intriguing handcrafts which represent the Tibetan culture. You may find many delicate handcrafts in Shigatse, including Thangka, Tibet knife, cushion, golden and silver wares, etc.
What to Buy in Shigatse
1. Thangka painting
Thangka is a type of scroll painting done on damask or cloth and it is an excellent representation of Tibetan art. Featuring Buddhists, folktales and fables, Thangka is full of religious symbolism. Thangka is typically used as decorations, and it is collector's items as well.
2. Tibet knife
A Tibet knife, to a certain degree is a symbol of Tibet and would make a wonderful keepsake of your trip. (Tips: knives are not permitted to be carried aboard a plane; even the consignment with luggage is prohibited. It can only be sent to your country by express.)
3. Cushion
Another beautiful handcraft is the 'cushion' which is a kind of Tibetan carpet. Cushions from Shigatse are the most well-known for their design and color. There are various patterns like the traditional dragon, phoenix, sea, cloud and plants. the cushions are usually sold in pairs. It's a wonderful decoration for your house.
4. The Golden and Silver Wares
The golden and silver wares are famous both for their exquisite workmanship and unique design. Most of these wares are in the form of jewelry and ornaments like rings, earrings and necklaces. You may also find some household items including vessels like flagon, chopsticks and plates as well as some religious items like prayer wheels.
5. Tibetan Shoes
Tibetan shoes in Tibet have a long history of more than 600 years, its characteristics are a variety of styles and sizes. Tibetan people, men and women, old and young, can wear this kind of shoes. The rough tweed shoes with leather soles are embroidered with various designs, such as dragons, snakes, etc. The sole is made of cowhide and the upper is decorated with red and green woolen cloth. It is colorful and exquisite, mostly hand-made. At present, although few people choose to wear Tibetan shoes, as a form of national handicraft, Tibetan shoes also have a high artistic value and have long enjoyed a good reputation at home and abroad. For tourists, Tibetan shoes are great tourist souvenirs during their trip to Tibet.
Other souvenirs include Tibetan incenses, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan mask and the like.
Where to Buy in Shigatse
In Shigatse, visitors can buy most of the things sold elsewhere in Tibet. There are shops and stalls selling souvenirs at major attractions in Shigatse, but the following places can give you more choices, let you taste local specialties and learn more about local life.
1. Shigatse Market
Located in Shigatse's old town, on the outskirts of Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse Market is an open-air market, filled with a variety of traditional Tibetan handicrafts, such as Tibetan knives, Tibetan Thangka paintings, Tibetan Gyantse carpet, jewelry and so on. It's a good place to stop and enjoy traditional crafts and buy some souvenirs to take home. If you walk down the street and go through the market, you may encounter the small shop that makes prayer flags.
2. Zhaxijicai Bazzar
There is a famous Zhaxijicai bazaar in the south of Shigatse, where there are all kinds of daily necessities. The bazzar is a beautiful village, surrounded by trees, famous for Tibetan handicrafts. Of course, visitors can also enjoy local specialty products, such as bracelets, Thangka, Buddha, oil lamps, various jade articles, wooden and silver bowls, Tibetan knives, costumes, stone pillars engraved with Buddhist sutras and various carpets. Therefore, here you can easily get the handicraft you want. But please remember to bargain with the hawker.
3. Samzhubze Shopping Mall桑珠孜购物城
Address: Intersection of Xueqiang Road and Qingdao West Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse日喀则市桑珠孜区雪强路与青岛西路交叉口
