Shopping in Xi’an

If you’re into style and design, a terracotta figure could be just the thing to add to a room or outdoor garden. Produced in keeping with designs from the Terracotta Army in Xian, these figures are available in many sizes from miniature to life-size. We recommend purchasing from reputable outlets that can guarantee the quality and integrity of the piece, and choose either the General or Kneeling Archer, both of which are iconic figures from the exhibition.

In ancient China, ink rubbing developed as a practical method of reproducing multiple copies of texts. Reflecting a minimalist style, ‘rubbings’ of famous calligraphy steles are always welcome additions to the collections of calligraphy lovers and of those who simply love interesting and beautiful things. An FYI for those who aren’t familiar – a stele is a stone on which text or images are inscribed, carved, or painted. Take home your own piece of history with ink rubbing from an ancient stele at the Xi’an Stele Forest, then have it framed and mounted on a wall at home.

It may seem counterintuitive to put tiger and pillow in the same name, however, that’s exactly what the Chinese Tiger Pillow is. As with many things in China, there is a deeper symbolism, and so it is with the Chinese Tiger Pillow, which is a pillow, toy, and ‘guardian’ that protects them from evil and misfortune. In Chinese culture, the tiger is regarded as the king of beasts, so it seems fitting that this majestic and powerful animal is charged with the task of looking after the littlest people on the planet. Available as tiger pillows or baby shoes (yes, baby shoes with a tiger head!), these works of art are generally handmade using colorful cotton, threads and beads. Perfect gifts for the little people in your life.

In the 1950s, local peasants in Hu County learned to paint with the help of painters and professors from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Awakening latent creativity, within a decade these artists developed their own unique, bold and colorful style in artworks that reflected their daily existence, farming the land and traditional local customs. Brighten up a wall at home or in your office with one of these lovely pieces while supporting these local artists.

An imaginative art form, shadow puppetry emerged during the Tang dynasty as performance art that kept the emperor and those around him entertained and enlightened. The appeal of shadow puppetry endures today and visitors to Xi’an can enjoy both a performance and a keepsake by purchasing a shadow puppet to take home. Made from cow’s leather or donkey hide, these puppets are extremely popular with collectors and are unique decorative pieces for the home.

Between puppets and paper cutting, a visitor to Xi’an might think the art here isn’t all that sophisticated – and that’s where you’d be misled. In fact, paper cutting – much like the traditional art of shadow puppetry – requires creativity, skill-based on years of training, and most importantly, vast imagination. After all, a paper cutter must envisage something where there is nothing in much the same way that a sculptor does with a piece of stone. Incredibly, paper cutting originated in the 7th century, and the style of pieces found in the northern Shaanxi region where Xi’an is located, are some of the best representations of the art.

The Chinese love their figurines and it’s no wonder when you learn a little about the traditional Fengxiang painted clay figures, which have a history spanning a remarkable 3,000 years. Featuring the bright clashing colors typical of China, these figurines are also recognizable for their bold, short shapes and typically depict flowers, birds, fish, animals, and characters from traditional Chinese myths and stories.

If music is your thing, then perhaps a xun is for you. What’s a xun, you ask? Only one of the oldest instruments in China. Can you believe the xun was used by musicians in China over 7,000 years ago? Best described as an egg-shaped vessel, the xun was originally made from clay, and while contemporary versions of this ancient instrument are commonly made of clay too, bamboo is also used. Musical sound is made by blowing into the xun, which is punctuated by holes that are covered by fingers while being played. A modern xun has eight, nine, or ten holes and plays a wider range of sounds than the earlier versions.

Mashao is the Chinese word for wooden ladle; a utensil used daily everywhere throughout China’s long history. In previous times, people would paint charms on the back of ladles to pray for blessings. The Mashao masks have long been a feature of the famous Shehuo parade in the northern parts of China. Distinctive for the bright colors and unusual faces, the Mashao masks in the Shehuo festival are based on folklore characters. The face is painted on Mashao to reflect people’s wishes for a good life and local people believe that having Mashao masks at home will protect the house and ward off evil spirits.

SAGA International Shopping Mall is the largest shopping mall in Xi’an and the leading shopping center in China’s northwest. Carrying a five-star rating, you’ll find the SAGA center in Xiaozhai, the center of south Xi’an. The highlights? The world’s biggest indoor waterfall, an eye-watering 80 lifts, a 50-meter long escalator, and 600 domestic and international brand stores.

Xi’an SKP is located near South Gate, just outside the Xi’an City Wall. This is the second SKP in China (the first was Beijing SKP) and it has quickly become the destination of choice for luxury and high-end fashion lovers. Fun fact: Sales on its first anniversary in April 2020 reached USD100 million.

Xi’an Kaiyuan Shopping Mall is located opposite the famous Bell Tower in the city’s center. If the shine of ‘everything new’ holds less appeal than something with more of an ‘old world’ feel, Kaiyuan Shopping Mall is for you. First opened in 1996, it has retained its appeal among local Xi’anese for exceptional quality.

Opened in December 2018, Xi’an Joy City makes our list because of the appeal it has for millennial shoppers (that’s right, those aged 18 to 35). Featuring a rooftop garden that provides a fabulous view of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a giant statue of Monkey King, and a 3D ceiling LED art display, it’s certainly a destination for the young at heart.

We’re not sure where the name originated, however, City On has gained a reputation as a shopper’s delight. A complex of two hotels, a department store, office towers, and residential apartments, City On is like an all-in-one city. Located in the north of Xi’an, visit City On if you want everything in a single location.

Laochenggen G Park is a 3300 meter long open commercial block located near the northwest corner of Xi’an city wall. With a seemingly insatiable appetite for fashion and big brands, a younger Xi’anese crowd flock here to take advantage of popular global sports brands, a 24-hour food court, entertainment activities, and an open basketball court. Expect to find it as busy at night as it is by day.