In Pingyao, a true souvenir is felt before it’s bought, in the smooth glow of a lacquer box, the fine cut of a paper silhouette. These aren’t mere trinkets, but pieces of living craft, each holding the touch and story of a Shanxi artisan. Having sought out these authentic finds in its quiet lanes, we guide you to shops where quality speaks for itself, helping you choose pieces that will hold meaning long after your journey ends.
One of Pingyao’s most celebrated crafts is its highly polished lacquerware, whose history is rooted in the Tang Dynasty more than 1,200 years ago. The craft is known for its mirrored finish and intricate designs hand-painted on top of a layer of lacquer in a painstaking process involving multiple layers of natural lacquer application, repeated sanding, and manual polishing to create a mirrored finish, often made of wood or cloth, and then painting scenes of mountains, plum blossoms, or traditional stories on top of the polished surface.
We are constantly amazed by the smooth and cool surface of real lacquerware, you can draw your finger across it, and it slides smoothly like silk. For travel, it is best to choose compact and portable items: small jewelry containers (excellent for storing earrings or rings), decorative platters (great for hanging on a wall), or folding screens (which are lightweight and easy to transport).
Where to look for quality:
Look for a smooth, even, and warm gloss (inferior copies have a dull, uneven finish or a fake shiny coating). Intricate hand-painted detail work (stenciled painting would appear two-dimensional and repetitive). A marker’s mark at the bottom (sign of a craft).
Pingyao’s folk crafts are a celebration of local creativity, blending functionality with cultural symbolism. These pieces are affordable, lightweight, and full of character:
Paper Cuttings (Jiǎnzhǐ)
These beautiful paper cuttings are a common part of the traditional culture in the north of China, featuring motifs of dragons (good luck), peonies (prosperity), or double happiness (marriage). Cut very precisely using scissors or a small knife, the best examples of these paper cuttings have a cut-out quality to them that allows the lighting to shine through, making them ideal to hang in one's own home. The best thing about them is that one can choose a seasonal design to pick up on, whether snowflakes in winter or lotus flowers in the summer.
Handmade Cloth Shoes (Shǒugōng Bùxié)
A very practical and original souvenir that you can buy in Pingyao are the hand-made cloth shoes. They are very comfortable and made of cotton and rubber. You can find them in simple designs for adults and in more colorful versions (tigers, bunnies) for kids, which are meant to protect and bring good luck. A real hand-made cloth shoe is one of our favorite Pingyao souvenirs, it's a warm reminder of the Pingyao lifestyle.
Opera Makeup Masks/Figurines (Xìqǔ Liǎnpǔ)
These colorful masks and small figurines represent characters from Peking Opera, with each color carrying a symbolic meaning: red for loyalty, black for integrity, and white for cunning. The masks are striking decorative pieces, while the mini figurines (3–6 inches tall) are perfect for shelves or desks. Look for hand-painted details—brushstrokes should be crisp, and colors rich (avoid faded, mass-produced versions).
Pingyao is famous for its high-quality Chinese yams, a starchy root vegetable prized for its nutritional benefits (it’s rich in fiber and vitamins). For foodie gifts, look for dried yam slices (ideal for soups or porridge) or packaged yam snacks (like yam chips or candied yams). These products are lightweight, have a long shelf life, and make thoughtful gifts for friends and family interested in traditional Chinese ingredients.
Pingyao’s main shopping hub is Ming-Qing Street, the primary thoroughfare running through the ancient city. It is lined with traditional wooden façades and red lanterns. This is the prime place for buying souvenirs. Anything from lacquerware and paper cutouts to cloth shoes and opera masks can be found here.
The atmosphere is lively, especially in the evenings, as the lighting up of the street, filled with the smell of local snacks, is a treat in itself. Although an added advantage for browsing, please remember that some vendors are primarily geared towards foreign customers, you can take your time to compare the quality and price of items across different shops. Our recommended places on Ming-Qing Street include a small lacquerware shop near the City God Temple, which has been a family enterprise for the last three generations, as well as a paper cutting shop where you can witness its artisans at work.
For authentic, quality craft goods, you must search for specialty shops, which will, most likely, be a family business run by artisans who have developed their skill over many years. You should search for shops with names such as ‘Handmade Lacquerware’ or ‘Folk Art Studio’; most such shops allow you to visit their workshops, from where you can watch artisans applying lacquer, cutting paper, and manufacturing cloth shoes.
Among our personal highlights is the lacquerware workshop accessible from the end of Ming-Qing Street, where the proprietor shows how the pieces get their polish finish through the application of over 10 layers of lacquer to the object. Also, any purchase made here ensures that you get the authentic as well as the history behind the product, as the artisans will gladly share anecdotes related to their craftsmanship.
For better prices and more unique finds, wander the side lanes and small markets off Ming-Qing Street. These narrower alleys are lined with tiny stalls and local shops that cater to residents, offering handcrafted items at lower prices than the main street.
We’ve stumbled upon hidden gems here: a grandmother selling hand-embroidered cloth shoes from her courtyard, a small stall with dried yams and local snacks, and a paper cutting artist who creates custom designs (we had one made with our names in Chinese characters). These spots feel more authentic, and bargaining is expected—just be polite and respectful.
Bargaining Etiquette: Bargaining is appropriate in markets, small stalls, and some independent shops. Start at 50–60% of the asking price and negotiate politely. Fixed-price boutiques (often with “No Bargaining” signs) and larger stores typically don’t allow haggling.
Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted, even at small stalls. Link your foreign credit card in advance for seamless transactions. Carry ¥100–200 in cash as a backup for tiny stalls that may not have mobile payment.
Quality & Authenticity Checks:
Lacquerware: Tap gently—authentic lacquerware makes a solid, resonant sound; cheap imitations sound hollow.
Paper Cuttings: Check for clean, precise cuts (hand-cut pieces have slight irregularities; machine-cut ones are perfectly uniform).
Cloth Shoes: Examine the stitching—handmade shoes have even, tight stitches; mass-produced ones may have loose threads.
Packing & Shipping: Larger items (like folding screens or large lacquerware plates) can be shipped home—most specialty shops offer this service (costs vary by size and destination). For fragile items, ask for extra padding to prevent damage during transit.
Safety: Pingyao is a safe city, but keep an eye on your valuables in crowded markets. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash—use mobile payment whenever possible.
Shopping in Pingyao is a journey into the city’s creative soul—every handcrafted piece tells a story of tradition, skill, and passion. Whether you’re bringing home a glossy lacquerware jewelry box, a delicate paper cutting, or a pair of cozy cloth shoes, these souvenirs will serve as lasting reminders of your time in the ancient city.
Let your shopping be part of your Pingyao adventure: wander the lanes, chat with artisans, and choose pieces that speak to you. For more help planning your trip, consult our Pingyao travel guide and Shanxi cultural tours to make the most of your journey into China’s imperial past.
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