Yangzhou Shopping

It is difficult to compare department store shopping in Yangzhou to that of its commercially abundant neighbors, Shanghai and Nanjing, but when it comes to traditional craftworks, treasures can be discovered in the city’s markets.

LACQER WARE:  Yangzhou's lacquer ware production has continued to evolve since it reached its height during the Han Dynasty. Sought after both at home and abroad, the craft continues to change, experimenting with varying styles and levels of detail. Traditional designs incorporated the use of several precious materials including jadeite, agate, coral, green jade, white jade, trunk, mica, gold, and silver finely ground and used as paint. Intricate patterns and designs also contain calligraphy and drawings of "the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou," images that drastically heighten the value of the piece.

ENGRAVING:  China's rich tradition of engraving is pristinely preserved in Yangzhou's production of traditional thread-bound books. Incorporating ancient styles and techniques of engraving, the books are not only beautiful, but also provide fascinating insight into early methods of documentation in early Chinese society.