Shopping and Souvenirs

Market time is fantastic fun and the visual spectacle includes lingerie strung on clothes lines between trees and belts cut to measure from a sheet of leather on the spot. Try to find samples of Kaifeng embroidery, called bian xiu. If you're lucky, you'll find pieces depicting legendary personalities and assorted paintings. Prices range from a few to over RMB 10,000 depending on the size and quality.

If you have time to spare, head for nearby Zhuxianzhen, an ancient town known for its fine paintings. They sell specialty Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) paintings, called zhuxianzhen mubannianhua. These paintings feature characters with exaggerated features and symbols representing good fortune and happiness for the New Year. It costs around RMB 150 to 400 for one booklet.

If you care for porcelain, you may be interested in buying imitation pieces inspired from the famous Guan Kiln porcelain – a type of fine china found in the city. Guan Kiln was one of the imperial kilns of the Northern Song dynasty. The price varies from a few hundred RMB to over a thousand.

Jinggu Zhai is a good place to find traditional paintings, and if you feel like doing your own calligraphy, they also sell supplies. The Kaifeng Bian Embroidery Factory has lots of embroidery on offer. Antiques in a store setting are at Wenwu Shangdian over at 108 Beiduan Shizhongxin. If you're looking for everyday items, then Sam's Time Square at 66 Zhongduan Zhongshan Lu will cover your basic needs.