The city of Chengde, lies to the north of the Great
Wall, and teems with a variety of local products due to its
abundant natural resources. In addition, its profound cultural
heritage has contributed to the city's unique folk arts and crafts.
While traveling in Chengde, you are provided with many options
should you wish to buy local specialties or just do some leisurely
window shopping.
The special natural products to be found in Chengde are wild
almonds, walnuts, Chinese chestnuts, hazelnuts, mushrooms, hawthorn
and nasturtium, etc. The almond juice made from wild almonds has
distinct aroma and leaves a pleasantly lingering aftertaste, which
is well known at home and abroad. The Chengde mushrooms come in
a variety of species and these are not only widely sold in China
but also throughout Asia and Europe. Most of this produce can
be found in Kangqian Tourist Shopping Mall which
is located at B1B, Rongji Garden, Puning Lu.
One of the most popular products with tourists visiting Chengde
is Teng's Cloth-Pasted Painting which is regarded as a 'unique
talent of Cathay'. It is a new style of painting combining brushwork
with sculpture, embroidery, paperhanging and paper-cutting, an
art form invented by the folk artist Teng Teng. These attractive
paintings can be hung on the wall or laid on a table as a truly
perfect decoration.
Chengde woodcarving is another of the famous craft works. Walking
sticks, furniture, screens and other handicraft made from rare
wood from the mountains are elaborately wrought by the wood carvers.
Paper-cutting in Fengning County, silk brocade and tablets of
the Mountain Resort,
porcelain carving, calligraphy and painting, as well as jade pillows
are also characteristic souvenirs of Chengde.
Recommended shopping places:
In the main, the large-scale shopping malls and supermarkets are
located in Nanyingzi Dajie as well as in the busy downtown area
of the city center.
Chengde Landao Dasha
Address: No.19, Xinxing Jie
Mainly deals with general merchandise, food, clothing, jewelry,
cosmetics, and computers, etc.
Chengde Department Store
Address: No.1, Wenjia Gou
This is the oldest and largest state-run enterprise in Chengde
that carries articles of daily use and is highly popular with
local consumers.
Jiashixing Supermarket
Address: No.5, Wenjia Gou
Puning Jie is also a good place for shopping.
It is a cultural commercial street lying in the eastern courtyard
of the Puning Temple. You can appreciate the folk performances
whilst buying some curios, famous tea, jade articles, brocades
and other local products.