Lhasa Shopping

The gold and silver wares of Tibet
The gold and silver wares of Tibet
No trip to Tibet would be complete without taking away some local souvenirs either for yourself or as presents. This unique land captured in its crafts and goods certainly won't disappoint!
 

What to Buy

Thangka is a kind of scroll painting using complicated lines, bright colors and is rich with religious flavors. Most of the Thangka focuses on the motifs of Tibetan Buddhism. It is often made either by painting, embroidery or sometimes sewn with pearls. The pearl Thangka is the most desirable of all. Thangka is valued for its precision, balance and variety.

Tibetan costumes are inconvenient to take home as most of them are made from woolen cloth and are bulky. However, you might consider buying colorful aprons, fur hats or caps to take home, they can make unique decorations for your rooms.

Lots of visitors like to buy Tibetan medicine for its herbs such as saffron, aweto and snow lotus. Local doctors and their traditional medicines made by secret methods attract much curiosity. The best places to buy Tibetan medicines are the Tibetan Hospital, right opposite the Jokhang Temple Square or the medicine company on the west outskirts of Lhasa.

Don't forget to check out the gold and silver wares of Tibet and Nepal either. Nepalese and Tibetan silver ornaments and other artworks should definitely be on your shopping list. But beware of imitation goods and be sure to compare goods and prices in several stores before you buy!

The Tibetan knife or broadsword is still used by the locals as a necessity but visitors can buy it as an ornament.
Note: You cannot take these items on a plane or as consigned goods, but you can send them anywhere via the post office. The Post Office in Lhasa at Middle Beijing Road is the best choice. Goods will be sent much more quickly than at any of the smaller post offices.

Other local gifts that are worthy of your consideration include wooden bowls, jewelry, jade, prayer wheels, carpets, tapestries, local boots and beads.
 

Where to Buy

Barkhor Street is the famous commercial center of the high land. Over 120 handicraft and artwork stores and 200 or so market stands in the Barkhor Street: it is a must-go place for all souvenir shopping. Tibetan rugs, knives, broadswords, traditional clothes, gold and silver jewelry and all sorts of traditional handmade craftwork can easily be found in this street. One tip, Tibetan beads especially are very expensive, so don't forget to bargain with the vendors, whatever you buy! You can also find fabulous food on Barkhor Street.

It's a good idea to go shopping on Barkhor Street in the morning or evening, because local people always value highly their first customer and their last one.

 
Tibetan Ornaments
Local Ornaments
Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street
Lhasa Department Store
Address: No.1, Yutuo Road, left of the Potala Palace
Features: has all sorts of articles for sale including practical items like cotton clothing, towels, toothpaste and canned food. The interior is pleasant and open. Goods here are moderately priced. The department store has places for dining, recreation and a fitness center.

Barkhor Thangka Painting Department Store
Address: No. 10, East Barkhor Street
Features: the store mainly deals with making and selling Thangka products. Foreign tourists swarm here to buy them. Helpfully, the storekeeper speaks both Chinese and English.

Xueyu (Snowland) Handmade Thangka Store, located at No. 16, South Barkhor Street, is the most famous Thangka shop in Barkhor Street. Selling Thangka is very profitable as some visitors can pay up to ten times the actual value. (Consider, no matter how old, which nationality or race, anyone can learn to draw a Thangka painting!) So before buying anything make sure to have a little knowledge of the genuine product and price.
- Last updated on May. 26, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Shopping in Lhasa
Asked by Mary from USA | Jan. 07, 2023 08:30Reply
where to buy embroidered t-shirts with yaks and Tibet
Answers (1)
Answered by Bonnie | Jan. 09, 2023 19:18
00Reply


Try your luck at Barkhor Street. There are many shops there selling featured Tibet items.
Asked by kinger from CHINA | Mar. 24, 2014 08:48Reply
i want to buy traditional Apron of lhasa women wear clothes in Tibet
i want to buy traditional Apron of lhasa women wear clothes. please give me some address and phone no. thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Carmen from USA | Mar. 25, 2014 01:53
02Reply


The Bajiao Street and Lhasa Pedestrian Street are suggested to have a look.
Asked by Cyril from AUSTRALIA | Aug. 19, 2011 10:45Reply
Where is the best place to buy warm winter clothing in Lhasa?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jackie from CHINA | Aug. 21, 2011 20:49
10Reply


In downtown Lhasa, you could find some shops selling winter clothes. For most popular shopping center here is the Barkhor Street.
Asked by Ms.YP from MALAYSIA | Mar. 21, 2011 00:57Reply
Hi,

May i know the price range of the thangka?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mr.Sam | Mar. 21, 2011 21:13
10Reply


At the local market, you could purchase a small one around RMB50. However, if you would like these authentic and delicate ones, the price may vary from hundreds of RMB to over 10,000 RMB.
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