Fret not! There are namely 2 famous bloodsucking (tourists, that is) spots in town which I managed to go to.
Jin Li Street
Yet another popular shopping spot is Jin Li Street.
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| The sign that greets you screams "Tourists! Bring me your dough!" lol Nah... it actually just plainly reads "Jin Li" (methinks) |
The people who throng this street are approximately 60% tourists, 40% locals, so you can imagine what kind of shopping goes on around here. This street is typically divided into two sections - one section for souvenir shopping, and another section for some interesting street food-whacking. No guarantees about whether exotic meat is served.
Even if you're not interested to have a dollar or two weaseled from you, there is considerably interesting architecture on this street that is worth a picture or two. So, don't be so quick to give it a miss.
Jiu Zai Gou
Okay, so I told a lil' white lie. Jiu Zai Gou isn't that close to Chengdu, it's actually an hour's flight away from Chengdu *sheepish*
However, if your trip to Chengdu takes you to Jiu Zai Gou, it's quite worthwhile to pay a visit to the Jiu Zai Gou market situated right next to the entrance to the famous national park. It's just a row of stalls selling winter jackets, pashminas, Sichuan beef snacks, nuts, accessories and souvenirs. Accessories here are cheap.
I was there nearing closing time (which is at 22:30 hrs) and bought 2 turquoise stoned bracelets with a pair of matching earring for only RMB21 (approx. RM10.50). Haggling is a must! Refer to my Juicy Bytes on haggling in Angkor, What Shopping?. The starting price for earrings and bracelets were RMB20. I managed to get pashminas for RMB15 each for 6 pieces. Economies of scale is applicable here!
Do note that the market sells similar if not exactly the same things as the little Tibetan community's shops in Jiu Zai Gou park. The Tibetan community is about a good ten minutes' walk from the central tourist centre in the park itself, identifiable by 3 blocks of colorful double storey-ed buildings.
Even if you're not interested to have a dollar or two weaseled from you, there is considerably interesting architecture on this street that is worth a picture or two. So, don't be so quick to give it a miss.
Jiu Zai Gou
Okay, so I told a lil' white lie. Jiu Zai Gou isn't that close to Chengdu, it's actually an hour's flight away from Chengdu *sheepish*
However, if your trip to Chengdu takes you to Jiu Zai Gou, it's quite worthwhile to pay a visit to the Jiu Zai Gou market situated right next to the entrance to the famous national park. It's just a row of stalls selling winter jackets, pashminas, Sichuan beef snacks, nuts, accessories and souvenirs. Accessories here are cheap.
I was there nearing closing time (which is at 22:30 hrs) and bought 2 turquoise stoned bracelets with a pair of matching earring for only RMB21 (approx. RM10.50). Haggling is a must! Refer to my Juicy Bytes on haggling in Angkor, What Shopping?. The starting price for earrings and bracelets were RMB20. I managed to get pashminas for RMB15 each for 6 pieces. Economies of scale is applicable here!
Do note that the market sells similar if not exactly the same things as the little Tibetan community's shops in Jiu Zai Gou park. The Tibetan community is about a good ten minutes' walk from the central tourist centre in the park itself, identifiable by 3 blocks of colorful double storey-ed buildings.
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| The Tibetan trading zone |
I'd bought a couple of silver bangles adorned with beautiful paintings for RMB20 from this community, whilst the going price in the Jiu Zai Gou market was approximately RMB12. So, be warned.
With the freezing weather here (I went close to winter), it makes sense to warm your cold butts off with a good ol' bottle of Snow Beer - draft, smooth!Cheers to bargain shopping, fashionistas!
*clinks beer bottle*
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| Burp! (oops!) |
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