What to Bring Home
Xi'an Shopping Guide
Xi'an is a shopper's paradise — if you know what to buy and where. From authentic terracotta replicas to calligraphy sets, the city offers unique souvenirs you can't find anywhere else. Here's how to shop smart and avoid tourist traps.
Written by Wang Fang
Food & Culture Writer · Xi'an since 2020
Wang Fang grew up in Xi'an's Beilin District, inside the city walls. She has eaten at over 300 restaurants and street stalls across the city since 2020, keeping detailed notes on which shops are still good, which have declined, and which new spots deserve a visit. Her food recommendations come from paid visits, never from sponsored meals.
Top 3 must-buy souvenirs
- 1. Terracotta Warrior replica from the official museum shop ($15-$45 certified)
- 2. Calligraphy set from Shuyuanmen Street ($12-$22 for a 4-brush set)
- 3. Muslim Quarter snacks — persimmon cakes, spice mixes, dried fruits ($1.5-$7)
What to Buy in Xi'an
Terracotta Warrior Replica
$4-$75Terracotta Warriors gift shop, Muslim Quarter
Museum shop = authentic, certified. Street vendors = factory-made. A good replica costs $15-$45.
Insider tip: The official museum shop sells numbered, certified replicas. These make the best souvenirs. Street versions are $3-$7 but feel cheap.
Calligraphy Set (文房四宝)
$7-$120Shuyuanmen Calligraphy Street (书院门)
Shuyuanmen is THE street for calligraphy supplies. Brushes from $1.5 (student) to $75 + (master).
Insider tip: Buy a set of 4 brushes (small, medium, large, extra-large) for $12-$22. The shop owners will demonstrate — watch before buying.
Xi'an Fan (折扇)
$3-$45Muslim Quarter, Shuyuanmen, Bell Tower area shops
Hand-painted fans with landscapes or calligraphy. $3-$7 for machine-printed, $15 + for hand-painted.
Insider tip: Ask to see the difference between printed and hand-painted. Once you see them side by side, the difference is obvious.
Chinese Tea
$7-$75/tinTea markets near Bell Tower, specialty shops
Shaanxi is famous for Ziyang green tea. Also find good Pu'er, Longjing, and Tieguanyin from other provinces.
Insider tip: Never buy tea from the first shop. Tea shops will invite you to sit and taste — this is normal. Taste 3-4 shops before deciding.
Jade Jewelry
$7-$300 +Muslim Quarter, department stores
Most 'jade' in tourist areas is glass or low-grade stone. Real jade (和田玉) is cold to touch and has natural imperfections.
Insider tip: Only buy jade if you know what you're doing. For most tourists, skip it. If you must buy, go to a reputable department store with a return policy.
Muslim Quarter Snacks
$1.5-$7Muslim Quarter (回民街)
Persimmon cakes, walnut crackers, dried fruits, spice mixes, and lamb jerky. All make great take-home gifts.
Insider tip: Buy persimmon cakes from the stalls making them fresh (you can watch). They're $0.5 each and incredibly moreish.
Paper Cuttings (剪纸)
$1.5-$15Muslim Quarter, Shuyuanmen
Traditional Chinese paper cut art. Red paper in intricate designs — zodiac animals, flowers, characters.
Insider tip: Watch the artist cut them by hand — some are incredibly skilled. Hand-cut pieces ($4-$15) are worth much more than machine-cut ($0.5-$1.5).
Shadow Puppetry Set
$4-$30Shaanxi History Museum gift shop, specialty stores
Colorful leather puppets used in traditional Shaanxi shadow plays. A unique and lightweight souvenir.
Insider tip: The museum gift shop has the best quality. These make excellent gifts — lightweight, unbreakable, and uniquely Shaanxi.
Where to Shop
Muslim Quarter (回民街)
Tourist food & souvenirsBustling, chaotic, fun. The main drag (Beiyuanmen) is touristy; dive deeper into Sajinqiao and Dapiyuan for authentic experiences.
Best for
Snacks, paper cuttings, small souvenirs, atmosphere
Avoid
Overpriced 'jade' and generic tourist trinkets on the main street
Shuyuanmen Calligraphy Street (书院门)
Cultural suppliesScholarly, quiet, authentic. Lined with calligraphy shops, ink stone dealers, and scroll painters. A cultural experience in itself.
Best for
Calligraphy sets, ink stones, scrolls, seals, art supplies
Avoid
Nothing — prices here are fair and quality is high
SAGA (小寨) Shopping District
Modern mall shoppingXi'an's version of a modern shopping district. Malls, international brands, restaurants. Young locals hang out here.
Best for
International brands, electronics, modern fashion
Avoid
Nothing unique to Xi'an — same brands as any Chinese city
SKP Xi'an
Luxury mallHigh-end department store near South Gate. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc. Also has a great supermarket for imported goods.
Best for
Luxury goods, imported food, high-end tea gifts
Avoid
Tourist traps outside the mall selling 'branded' goods
Yongxing Fang (永兴坊)
Regional food marketLess touristy food market showcasing Shaanxi regional specialties. Each stall represents a different Shaanxi city.
Best for
Regional snacks you can't find elsewhere, packaged gifts
Avoid
Going on weekends — it gets very crowded
Huimin Road Antique Market
Antiques & collectiblesEarly morning market (6-9 AM) for antiques, old coins, vintage items. Most 'antiques' are reproductions, but it's fun to browse.
Best for
Vintage items, old coins, reproduction antiques
Avoid
Buying anything expensive as genuine — almost everything is a reproduction
Bargaining Guide
When to bargain: Street vendors, antique markets, independent souvenir shops. When NOT to: Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, museums, and anywhere with a printed price tag.
Where bargaining works
Muslim Quarter street vendors, antique markets, independent souvenir shops, taxi drivers (rarely). NOT in malls, supermarkets, or restaurants.
Starting offer
Start at 40-50% of the asking price. The vendor will counter at 70-80%. Meet at 60% is a fair deal. If they agree to your first offer immediately, you offered too much.
The walk-away
The most powerful bargaining tool. If the price isn't right, slowly walk away. 70% of the time, they'll call you back with a better price.
Bulk discount
Buying 3+ of the same item? Ask for a bulk price. 'I buy three, how much?' (我买三个，多少钱？) often gets 15-20% off.
Cash advantage
Some vendors prefer cash (no mobile payment fee). Offering to pay cash can get you 5-10% off. Say: 'Cash, cheaper?' (现金，便宜？)
Know when to stop
If the difference is less than $1.5 just pay it. Your time is worth more. Bargaining should be fun, not stressful.
Useful Shopping Phrases
多少钱？
Duōshao qián?
How much?
太贵了
Tài guì le
Too expensive
便宜一点
Piányi yìdiǎn
A little cheaper
可以刷卡吗？
Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
Can I pay by card?
我买三个，便宜？
Wǒ mǎi sān gè, piányi?
I'll take 3, discount?
现金，便宜？
Xiànjīn, piányi?
Cash, cheaper?
More phrases available in our complete phrasebook →
Tourist Traps to Avoid
'Antique' terracotta warriors from street vendors
99% are factory-made reproductions. They may be marketed as 'ancient' or 'hand-dug'. Nothing sold on the street is genuinely antique — selling real antiques without a license is illegal.
'Jade' jewelry at Muslim Quarter
Most is glass, plastic, or low-grade stone dyed to look like jade. Real jade (和田玉) costs thousands. Unless you're an expert, skip it.
Tea ceremony scams
Friendly strangers invite you to a 'traditional tea ceremony' at a nearby shop. You end up pressured into buying $75 + tea. Politely decline and walk away.
Overpriced 'handmade' goods on Beiyuanmen
The main Muslim Quarter street charges premium prices for mass-produced items. Walk 200m deeper into the side alleys for the same items at 30-50% less.
Shopping by District: Where to Go for What
Muslim Quarter — Souvenirs & Snacks
Terracotta Warrior replicas, shadow puppets, dried fruit, nuts, Chinese paper cuts. Bargain everywhere. Start at 30-40% of asking price.
Shuyuanmen Street — Calligraphy & Art
Traditional brushes, ink stones, rice paper, scrolls. Near the South Gate. More authentic than the Muslim Quarter for art supplies. Fixed prices in most shops.
Xiaozhai Area — Modern Malls
For everyday shopping. Sai Ge Computer City for electronics. Xiaozhai International for fashion. Metro Line 2/3, Xiaozhai Station.
Bargaining Guide: How to Negotiate in Xi'an
Where to bargain: Muslim Quarter street stalls, souvenir markets, antique shops (most "antiques" are reproductions — pay accordingly).
Where NOT to bargain: Department stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, official museum gift shops, restaurants.
Strategy: Start at 30% of the asking price for souvenirs. Expect to settle at 40-60%. Walk away if you do not like the price — the vendor will often call you back with a better offer. Stay friendly and smile — aggressive bargaining is considered rude.