What to buy in Shigatse?

What to buy in Shigatse?

Shigatse has a vast territory and abundant resources. Due to its special terrain, there grows a large number of alpine plants and medicinal herbs, such as cordyceps sinensis, plantain seed, polygonum multiflorum, fritillaria, rhodiola, ephedra, gastrodia elata, snow lotus, astragalus, huhuang lotus, angelica, and more than 300 other species. In addition to ritual tools, ornaments, prayer wheels, Tibetan robes and carpets that can be found everywhere in Shigatse, there are also a variety of daily necessities sold here, from pottery pots, waist knives and gourds to bracelets, Buddha statues and necklaces.

Special local product

Carpet

Shigatse carpet is a famous traditional handicraft in Tibet. There are craft processing factories in all regions, each with their own characteristics accordingly to the local custom. Rug, tapestry and cushion are sold in markets around the world

Lazi knife

Tibetan knife is a must for Tibetans. It can be used as cutlery as well as accessory. Tibetan knife for men is rough and sharp, and for women Tibetan knife is more delicate, both of which are not difficult to be found in a street stall or shop.The price ranges from dozens to hundreds of yuan. The most famous Tibetan knives are “Gongbu knife” and “Lazi knife” with exquisite silver scabbard and meticulous carving.

Qiongjie jade

Tibetan jade products can be divided by quality into corundum and nephrite. Corundum is produced in Renbu, Shigatse; and nephrite is produced in Qiongjie, Shannan. Qiongjie jade is white and green in color, smooth in hand feeling.there are more than 100 kinds of jade products in Qiongjie jade carving factory,which offers a large variety of choice for a souvenir.

Tibetan shoes

Tibetan shoe soles are made with cattle hides, and uppers with colorful silk thread or leather, Tibet wool, silk satin. Tibetan shoes can be roughly divided into three types, namely "Songba shoes", "Gallo shoes" and "Doza shoes". These shoes have beautiful patterns and are comfortable to wear. Shoe making handicraft industry are mainly located in Lhasa, Shigatse, Qamdo and Zendang.

Besides, there are many alpine plants with medicinal value in Shigatse, such as cordyceps, snow lotus, rhodiola, gastrodia elata, fritillaria, codonopsis, astragalus, angelica, rhubarb, radix polygoni, radix polygoni, radix ephedra, plantain seed, radix aconiti, and so on.