As one of China’s most dynamic cities and known as a pearl in the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou is a shopping paradise for tourists from around the world. Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins. Shopping in Hangzhou, however, is not limited to local specialties such as silk, tea, and lotus root starch, many modern offerings are also abundant in various shops, stores, supermarkets, and plazas that crowd the commercial center.
Local Products and Gifts：
Hangzhou Silk 杭州丝绸
Hangzhou silk has a long history of more than 4,000 years, featuring gentle texture, gorgeous colors and wide varieties. The silk produced in Hangzhou has 14 varieties, including satin, spin, crepe, damask silk and silk fabric. The silk products include landscape painting, cushions for leaning on, curtain and clothing.
Xihu Silk Umbrella 西湖绸伞
Xihu silk umbrella features bright color and exquisite appearance. The “bone” is made of bamboo. It not only can be used as common umbrella for sunshade, but also can be used to decorate your house.
Hangzhou Longjing Tea 西湖龙井
Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and flat appearance, and it is usually regarded as a health elixir, which is quite popular throughout China.
Wangxingji Paper Fan 王星记纸扇
The paper fans produced in Hangzhou are famous in China since ancient times. The most famous three local products in Hangzhou are paper fan, silk and Longjing tea. Wangxingji fan is the best known brand of fan in Hangzhou. The history of the factory can go back to 1875, when it was regarded as the tribute for imperial household.
Lan Yin Hua Bu (Blue Cloth with Design in White) 蓝印花布
Blue cloth with design in white is an ancient folk printed fabric made by hand. The simple but elegant design on the fabric is mostly about auspicious items, reflecting the unique folk culture in China. The original dyestuff is fetched from a kind of plant: indigo plant.
Recommended Shopping Sites：
Zhejiang Zhuji Pearl Market 诸暨珍珠市场
Zhejiang Zhuji Pearl Market is located on North Sha Road in Zhuji City, near Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. The market was founded in June 1985 and after several expansions, it has developed into China’s largest freshwater market, selling various pearl products, including raw pearls, pearl jewelries, pearl handicrafts and pearl cosmetics.
Hangzhou Wangxingji Fans 王星记纸扇
The production of elegant fans in Hangzhou has a long history and has been enjoying a widespread renown since the ancient times. Wangxingji Fan Mill, of which Wangxingji Fan Industrial Co., Ltd. grew out, was set up by Wang Xingzhai in the year of 1875. With the exquisite workmanship, unique functions and elegant taste, Wangxingji fan is famous as one of the three matchless products in Hangzhou besides Zhejiang’s silk and the Longjing Tea.
Silk City 丝绸城
Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins. Throughout its long history, a variety of its silks and satins have been sold throughout the world. The best place for purchasing silk is at Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in the country with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties. The shoppers there not only do business on the mainland, but also export their silk products to Europe, America, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The market is distinguished as offering standardized management, reliable quality, and reasonable prices.
Hefang Street 河坊街
As one of the most famous historic streets in Hangzhou, Hefang Street reflects the social features of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Taking a stroll along this street, you will be attracted by the antique buildings and local crafts, such as silk parasols, brocades, renowned Zhang Xiaoquan scissors and Hangzhou paper fans.
Yan’an Road 延安路
This road is considered as one of the busiest ones in Hangzhou. It runs from the north to south for about 3,000 meters, and has become Hangzhou’s commercial centre. Along the road are included the grand buildings of the Zhejiang People’s Provincial Great Hall, Hangzhou Culture Center, Victory Theatre, International Mansion, Hangzhou Department Store, Hangzhou Grand Hotel, and Haifeng Western Restaurant.