Yunnan shopping        7/22/2008 8:27:47 PM

Both Lijiang and Dali are simply packed with tourist/souvenir shops. Check also around the Three Pagodas temple near Dali along the main road. Finally, the Stone Forest (S of Kunming), the Western Hills (next to Kunming) and part of the Tiger Leaping Gorge (N of Lijiang) are very touristy and full of people harrassing you to buy souvenirs. The Flower and Bird Market in old town of Kunming is another good spot for souvenirs.

Note that postcards are not that easy to find! In the most touristy places, you may find packages of postcards sold as is (so 2 or 3 are really nice, the rest you could have done without!) in the back of shops.

Finally, do not forget to bargain!

- Yack horn combs.
- Dali marble: polished pots of all sizes and colors, framed "landscapes", ash trays, a few sculptures.
- Stone Forest: colorful embroidened cloths made by the local Yi.
- Embroided little bags, wallets, cell phone bags (!) in Lijiang and Dali
- Bamboo flutes with a round buldge which make a lovely sound when properly played! Bamboo water pipes.
- Tiger Leaping Gorge: spices, rocks and minerals, I saw a few antiques (bronze stuffs like an old bell), stone and mineral necklaces, mushrooms.
- Clothes
- Tea
- Rice wine
- Chinese medicine