Traveling in Shigatse, the traditional handcrafts with the Tibetan culture are the most popular souvenirs for visitors. There are a large number of handcrafts with unique characteristics of local nationality, many of which have earned high reputation all over the world. The most representative handicrafts in Shigatse are: the practical golden and silver wares, the classical and elegant “Songba” boots, silk cushion, Tibetan knife, Tibetan carpet and Thangka.

Golden and silver wares

The golden and silver wares have quite a long history in Shigatse area. These wares are famous both for their exquisite workmanship and unique design. Most of these wares are in the form of jewelry and ornaments like rings, earrings and necklaces. You may also find some household items including vessels like flagon, chopsticks and plates as well as some religious items like prayer wheels.

Tibetan knife

The Tibetan knife is essential to Tibetan people's life. It also has high art value as a form of ethnic handcraft with a longstanding good reputation at home and abroad. There are three sorts of knives: long, short, and small, measuring about over 1meter, 40cm, or just over 10cm in length respectively. The knife is an indispensable tool for Tibetan people who use it to cut meat, to defend them, and for special decoration. The handle is normally made of ox horn, ox bone or wood. Some top quality ones are twined with silver strings or cupper strings. The scabbard tends to be more exquisite. Outside of the simple wooden or leather scabbard covers, copper or sometimes silver and even gold in nice designs of birds, animals, or grass and flowers can be seen. Some are even inlaid with precious stones, or colored stones, looking gorgeous and expensive.

Tibetan carpet

With a unique weaving style, Tibetan carpet has bright, glaring and harmonious colors, which live lively, just as the decorative style of Tibetan architectural paintings. Tibetan carpet is durable, soft and fine. Its strong national feature of designs adds more value of appreciation, which brings it high reputation through out the world. It plays a significant role for the people who live in the highland area where is humid and cold, and always be the necessities for the herdsmen who always live in the pasturing area. Tibetan carpet, with patterns of footcloths, rugs and kang mats, on the basis of Tibetan minority traditional art, merging the essence of religious artists from the Han nationality and other countries like India and Nepal, becomes an elegant artwork with unique Tibetan art style. Now, the Tibetan carpets have been exported to other countries.

Famous shopping places

Zhaxijicai
Location: in the southern of Shigatse City

Special Touring Regions: