Pingyao Shopping

Since Pingyao has such a long history, it has some really unique and wonderful local crafts available to visitors. Very few people visit the city without taking some mementos home with them.
Lacquer ware in Pingyao has a very long history. Pingyao has its own unique style of lacquer ware. Its process is very time consuming and takes years of training to master. Pingyao’s lacquer ware is decorated with beautiful birds, flowers, and scenery.

Papercuts, like lacquer ware can be found throughout China, but the ones made in Pingyao are unique. They are made with a very small pair of scissors and a stack of paper. Their designs are painstakingly created and each one has minute details that make it had to believe it is made from a single piece of paper.

Cloth shoes have been made in Pingyao for centuries. They are still worn by many people today due to their breathability, and comfort. The designs of the shoes vary from simple black, to embroidered, to shoes in the shapes of tigers and other animals. The tiger shoes are generally worn by children to scare away evil spirits and because the parents hope their children become as powerful as a tiger.

Yellow alcohol, made from sticky rice has been made in Pingyao since before history was recorded. It has a low alcohol content and a rich flavor which is good for cooking, as well as drinking. It is believed that the rice wine is beneficial to the stomach and spleen and can promote blood circulation.