Ethnic groups such as the Tujia, Miao, and Dong minorities make
up more than fifty percent of Tongren's population. Consequently,
the locally made souvenirs with their minority flavor are very
popular among tourists.
The following are some of the best known and sought after local
products: Zipao Yudai Stone (which
means purple gown/jade belt stone) is
one of the special minerals that can be found in Mt. Fanjingshan.
Because of its delicate and solid nature, it is considered the
best material with which to make carved stone items such as ink
stones, folding screens, and tea sets. The finest example of this
stonework, the Mt. Fanjingshan Yudai Nine-Storey
Pagoda is now kept in the National Grand
Hall. The most famous ink stone called Sizhou Ink
Stone is a special local product of Cengong County (formerly
Sizhou) and it is one of China's eight famous ink stones. The Yuping
Vertical Bamboo Flute is a special local product of Yuping
County, and made from choice water bamboo and the timbre is clear
and bright. Nuo culture is local to Tongren and the Nuo
mask is an apparition or animal woodcarving craftwork
of primitive simplicity used in Nuo Opera. These masks are now
popular for their decorativeness.
Mt. Fanjingshan has been regarded as the ‘natural storeroom of
medicinal materials' such as tall gastraodia tuber (Tian
Ma) which is the basis of a traditional Chinese medicine produced
mainly in Guizhou Province, beneficial to breathing and well-being.
For those who like drinking alcohol there is one drink to recommend
namely a Tujia alcohol called Matang alcohol made
from sesame candy and often used as a treat. It has a golden lucidity
and tastes sweet, and has the function of refreshing one's spirit
while satisfying the thirst. The Chinese gooseberry is
grown in many parts of China, however, those from Mt. Fanjingshan
taste better than from other places due to a lack of pollution
and nicer soil. Tourists who come to Mt. Fanjingshan all like to
eat them.
Department
Stores
Tongren City Department Store
Address: No.1, Daqing Road (North), Tongren City, Guizhou Province
Jiangkou County Department Store
Address: No.30, Sanxing Road (East), Shuangjiang
Town, Jiangkou County, Guizhou Province
New Century Shopping Center
Address: Office Block of the Agricultural Bank, Tongren City
Supermarkets
Wankelong Baijia Supermarket
Address: Minzhu Road, Tongren City, Tongren Region, Guizhou Province
Wankelong Shangmao Ltd. Supermarket
Address: Jiefang Road, Tongren City, Tongren Region, Guizhou Province