Dunhuang Shopping – What to Buy in Dunhuang

Though Dunhuang is a favorite tourist city in China, it may be a little difficult to find large shopping malls or supermarkets here. In spite of this, visitors will find handicrafts and souvenirs readily available in this city. Dunhuang was called “Gua (melon) Zhou” in ancient times, meaning the hometown of fruits. Dunhuang City is full of different kinds of fragrant sweet fruits; some of which are hard to find in other places.

Locally woven carpet, craftworks of camels, painted sculptures, “luminous cup”, calligraphy and painting and Dunhuang wax printing are among the most popular items to buy here. “Luminous Cup” is made from the fine jade quarried from Mt. Qilian, containing abundant mineral substances, and drinking from one of these cups is considered good for peoples’ health. Camels are called ‘the pride of the desert’ and people venerate its grittiness and hardworking nature, making flannelette effigies of it. It is a specialty local tourist souvenir and has been taken as the mascot of the China Art Festival.