Shopping in Chengdu will bring you as much fun as in Beijing or Shanghai. Sichuan Embroidery is one of the four famous embroideries in China. (The other three are Suzhou Embroidery, Hunan Embroidery and Cantonese Embroidery). With a history of over 2,000 years, Sichuan Brocade together with Nanjing Cloud Brocade, Suzhou Song Brocade and Guangxi Zhuang Brocade are four famous brocades in China. The most prosperous shopping areas in Chengdu mainly locate around Chunxi Road, Zongfu Road and Luomashi. Night markets around Jinjiang Hotel and Minshan Hotel can offer various local products, such as Lacquer Ware and Shu Brocade. In short, as to shopping, Chengdu will not disappoint you.
Sichuan Embroidery is one of the four famous embroideries in China. (The other three are Suzhou Embroidery, Hunan Embroidery and Cantonese Embroidery.) Sichuan Embroidery also has a long history. According to relevant documents, Sichuan Embroidery had enjoyed the same reputation as Sichuan Brocade in Jin Dynasty. At that time, Sichuan Embroidery was mainly popular among ordinary people in central plain area. It was in Qing Dynasty that Sichuan Embroidery became an industry. Due to its rich colors and vibrant images, Sichuan Embroidery is a very popular souvenir among visitors. The price of Sichuan Brocade ranges from CNY 100 to CNY 300; however, you can still bargain with the vendors in some places.
With a history of over 2,000 years, Sichuan Brocade together with Nanjing Cloud Brocade, Suzhou Song Brocade and Guangxi Zhuang Brocade are four famous brocades in China. Chengdu is said to be the birthplace of Chinese silk. As early as Warring States Period, Sichuan Brocade had been a famous commodity. In Han Dynasty, the state government sent a special official to Chengdu in charge of the brocade industry. The title of the official was called Jinguan in Chinese. That’s why Chengdu is also called “Jinguan City.” Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties witnessed the peak time of Sichuan Brocade. During that time, a lot of factories were set up and the brocade industry came to its prosperity. As a traditional Chinese handicraft, Sichuan Brocade is a nice souvenir. Visitors can buy Sichuan Brocade in Chunxi Road or shopping malls in Chengdu.
Chengdu Chunxi Road
It would be a pity if non-local people didn’t spend some time on Chunxi Road once in Chengdu, because it would be like not going to the Wangfujing, Nanjing Road, and Nathan Road when in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Located in the center of downtown Chengdu, Chunxi Road is a trendy and bustling commercial street of a long history. It was built in 1924 and had its name from Tao Te Ching by Laotze, “All men, indeed, are wreathed in smiles, as though going up to the Spring Carnival” (ch.20), a vivid picture of the flourishing commerce and crowded people on this street. Today, it is not only a fashion and shopping center, but also a place where numerous delicacies and snacks meet up from all places. Just a note to say, the street at night is double shining and charming with lights blazing on.
Chengdu Qintai Road
Qintai Road is a pseudo-classic street dedicated to two legendary figures, Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru. Legend has it that the two love birds opened a shop selling alcoholic drinks on the original Qintai Road. Though in poverty, they led a happy life, totally immune to worldly trivia. On the street, most of the buildings are slope-roofed and mono-colored, situated in an area of concentrated ancient architectures and heavily deposited cultures in the west of Chengdu, while in the vicinity of such ancient cultural sites and parks as Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Qingyang Taoist Temple, Baihuatan Park, etc. Currently, Qintai Road is a gathering place of jewelry stores.
