Lhasa is a shopper’s paradise for local ethnic art crafts as a souvenir of your unforgettable tour or as gifts for your friends and family. Popular things to buy here are carpets, daggers, jewelry, aprons and hats, all of which can be found in the famous Barkhor Street and many department stores and small shops in Lhasa .

 

Tang-ga
Tang-ga is a sort of scroll painting with the main theme of Buddhism. It has distinctive ethnic features, using complicated lines, bright colors and is rich with religious flavors. Some of the Tang-ga has many colorful and charming portraits of Buddhas, while some reflect the Tibetan history and folk customs. It is often made either by painting, embroidery or sometimes sewn with pearls. The pearl Tang-ga is the most desirable of all. The technique of Tang-ga is precision, balance and variety.

Tibetan Ornaments
The distinctive Tibetan habiliment is straw by all kind of unique ornaments, such as pearl, agate, jade articles as well as some god or silver wares, which seems to be unsophisticated and mysterious. Tibetan bracelets are usually made of Tibetan silver and copper. The crescent silver plate wore by the Tibetan locals is a symbol of purity. The agates and gems mounted in the plate connote blessing from the God, good luck and good health in life. The Tibetan ornaments with ruby and sapphire have an obvious easiness and sincerity, for which you will be deeply shocked by its strong survival consciousness.

Tibetan Wooden Bowl
Those who have ever been to Tibet must be deeply impressed by the wooden bowls that the local people were using. Wooden bowls are the special article for daily use in Tibet. The locals compared wooden bowls into their lovers. The Tibetans prefer them so much that they would use it to have dinner or drink, and because of its wooden material, the taste of the food keeps natural. Normally, the bowls are made in set, which contains three bowls: two big ones and one small one.

 

Tibetan Mask
Tibetan Mask is name “Ba” in Tibetan, is a kind of handcraft article evolved from the Tibetan opera and the religious art. Tibetan mask has a very high value of collection. It is divided into three types such as the mask of Sorcerers of Dance, the Suspending mask and the mask of Tibetan opera. In Tibet, whenever the grand religious festival, there are sorcerers with the masks playing all kinds of dances. Tibetan opera mask is popular among the folks and divided into the blue mask and the white mask, and types of facial makeup can be king, prince, princess and goblins, and so on, according to the need of the plot.

 

Tibetan Knife
Tibetan knife is the traditional Tibetan craftworks with high reputation and long history. Its beautiful appearance, sharp blade, and delicate scabbard, has been recognized as an outstanding product. Tibetan knife is essential for the Tibetans to work as defending tool or a unique adornment. As a general rule, the man’s knife is a little rough, and shard, while the woman’s one is more elegant. Tip: Tibetan knife is not permitted to carry by air or consignment but you could send it by post office.

Tibetan Medicine
After more than 2000 years of development, Tibetan medicine has become a scientific system alongside Chinese traditional medicine. Tibetan medicine usually employs Tibetan herbs and plants, such as musk, snow lotus, and saffron and the methods are kept secret by Tibetan doctors and professionals. Tourists can buy Tibetan medicine at the Tibetan Hospital located at 14 Reniang Road. Most people like to buy Aweto in Tibet. It is a precious tonic and ideal remedy for treating a long-time cough and weakness.

 

Shopping Areas in Lhasa
Lhasa Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street is the famous shopping center of Tibet, a must-go place for all tourists. More than 120 handicraft and artwork shops and 200 markets gather here. Although some of the goods are a little coarse, as long as you search by heart, you will find your desired products, such as the Tibetan rug, knife, broadsword, Tang-ga, traditional Tibetan cloth, ornaments, etc. If you want to buy Tibetan medicine, you’d better go to the drug factory, as most of the drugs in Barkhor Street are fakes. It is a good idea to do shopping on Barkhor Street in the morning or evening, because Tibetan people always value highly their first customer and their last one.

Lhasa Department Store
Lhasa Department Store gathers merchandise, catering, entertainment, accommodation, bodybuilding and leisure, collecting all sorts of articles for sale such as cotton clothes, articles for daily use, and canned food. The shopping environment is spacious and comfortable. Facilities are full equipped, including central heating, automatic cashier, elevator and so on.
Address: No.1, Yutuo Road (left of the Potala Palace)

OZARK Specialty Shop
OZARK Specialty Shop is famous for its special trade in mountaineering and trekking gear in the world, including mountaineering apparel, equipments, backpacks, shoes, gloves, glasses and other accessories, which are of name brands and very expensive.
Address: the end of the south of the Potala Palace

Tianjie Outdoors Shop
It mainly deals in various traveling bags, gloves, water-proof apparel, tents, muffles, hats, puttees, sunglasses, skin care cosmetic and so on. Among its kinds, the prices of bags and tents are moderate.
Address: Middle Beijing Road