Shopping and Souvenirs

The most famous local handicrafts include Sichuan brocade, lacquer ware, embroidery and bamboo covered porcelain. Prices for brocade pieces vary from RMB 80 to 200 depending on the size and design. Small bamboo covered porcelain vases are RMB 30 to 50 while bigger ones go for RMB 500 to 600. Lacquer ware is anywhere from RMB 120 to 400 depending on quality. You can find these crafts at Songxianqiao Art City– one of the biggest handicrafts market in town, it's across from Qingyang Temple. In the evening on Renmin Nan Lu, opposite the Jingjiang Hotel, is an antique market. Just don't expect the items to be genuine antiques – even if the seller insists.

But there are beautiful things to be bought –woodcarvings and calligraphy.

The area just east of the central plaza around Dong Da Jie you'll find Chengdu's fanciest shops. There are big malls and clothing shops. In the same area, around Chunxi Lu, is a night market.

If Chengdu is as close as you will get to Tibet, which borders Sichuan in the west, then head for the Tibetan Market. All kinds of Tibetan trinkets are sold at this market in front of the Wuhou Temple in the southwestern part of the city.