Lhasa is a mysterious land with amazing beauties. And shopping experience here is quite unique. Those offered on sale are not dazzling brands but part of the local life, featured with rich Tibetan culture. Tangka, carpets, fur hats, horse bells, aprons, wooden bowls, Tibetan costumes and gold-silver ornaments are famed folk handicrafts. Prayer wheels, Buddha figures, incense and chaplet are showcase of the locals’ faithfulness to Buddhism. Mountaineering and trekking equipment, on the other hand, are mainly for travelers of course. TOC here will strive hard to provide detailed information and useful tips about shopping in Lhasa.
What to shop
Tangka
Tangka is a novel form of painting art that can be traced back to Songtsen Gampo time or the 7th century; a kind of scroll painting mounted by multicolored satin. It has always been treasured by the natives for distinguished ethnical characteristics, rich religious flavor and unique artistic style. Various Tankgas differ in types and materials. They can be made by paper, cloth, embroidery, brocade, silk tapestry or applique. Sometimes jewels and pearls are decorated on Tangka, adding its value.
The material of Tangka is carefully selected and the pigment is totally made from natural minerals, which insures the bright and long-lasting colors. Diverse Tangkas are statements of the locals towards Tibetan history, culture, art, science and technology, cohesion of their civilization, wisdom, religious fidelity and strong affection of their homeland.
Tibetan knife
Tibetan knife still works as a defending tool or an adornment for Tibetan people, but it is also a souvenir favored by people from both home and abroad for its fine workmanship, sharp blade and unique styles. The scabbard takes wood, copper, iron or silver as material and is often carved with Tibetan language as well as delicate designs such as dragon, phoenix, tiger, lion, flowers and so forth. Some of the designs are adorned with gems and agates.
Tibetan ornaments
Tibetan people make every effort in decorating themselves and their homes, which can be seen from the colorful and elegant 
ornaments they make. There are distinctive Tibetan clothes decked with pearl, jade, agate ornaments and silver-golden wares which take on the forms of bracelets, rings, necklaces and waist links, as well as colorful aprons and carpets that can grace your rooms. Every article is unsophisticated but fine in design, so exotic and radiant. In addition, you can hardly find an imitation of these goods, as they are all handworked.
Tibetan mask
Tibetan mask or "Ba" in Tibetan language is a sort of handicraft deriving from religious art and Tibetan Opera. Mainly, the masks have three types, religious mask, Tibetan Opera mask and folk music & dance mask. In Tibet, every religious festival is celebrated by rites held at monasteries, where sorcerers wearing specific masks perform all kinds of shows. With bright colors and exaggerated expressions, these masks are appealing for mysteriousness and oddness.
Tibetan medicine
Tibetan medicine has developed into a unique medical system after absorbing theories of Chinese indigenous medicine, Indian medicine, Nepali medicine and Persia medicine. Possessing a history of thousands of years, it is a most integral and influential medicine in China and even enjoys a global fame. Its herbs such as glossy ganoderma, saffron, cordycep and snow lotus are vert popular with tourists.
Cordycep is a kind of Tibetan medicine that grows in the frigid mountainous areas-about 3,000 m above sea level. Together with ginseng and cartialgenous, it is one of the three major tonics. Mild in nature, Cordycep is suitable for all ages and is effective in increasing immune functions, invigorating lung, liver and kidney functions, supplementing cell energy, improving inspiration and relieving dyspnea.
Where to shop
Commercial areas in Lhasa are centralized around Potala Palace. Barkhor Street, the most renowned business center, is located in its southeastern direction. The prosperous Yutuo Walk Street stretches westward from Barkhor Street and ends with Lhasa Department Store. Beijing Road, one of the two main streets in Lhasa, busily assembles numerous Tibetan coutures, jewelry shops and supermarkets.
Barkhor Stree
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Initially, Barkhor Street was only a circumambulation revolved around Jokhang Temple and a great place for pilgrims to pray. Today, it has extended into an old block centering Jokhang Temple, known as the most prosperous commercial street in Lhasa. Its extraordinary features have won the reputation as one of the "Top Ten Historical and Cultural Streets in China". 29 important historical sites and 56 ancient buildings interspersing on it are miniatures of 1,300 years’ vicissitude.
Barkhor Street preserves the original style of the ancient Lhasa, being paved with hand-polished stones and flanked by aged Tibetan architectures. A huge censer is set at the center of the street with joss sticks burning day and night. Myriad handicraft stores and booths sell thousands of merchandises for both religious and ordinary use, compassing imported commodities from India, Nepal, Myanmar and Kashmir. Prayer wheel, chaplet, kit, apron, Tibetan knife, barley liquor, wooden bowl, Tangka, carpet and other local specialties are all available here.
Lhasa Department Store
Lhasa Department Store is one of the biggest shopping centers in Lhasa and is comprehensively equipped with catering, entertainment, accommodation and bodybuilding facilities. Its convenient location as being in the city center, reasonable prices and cozy atmosphere are praised by both the locals and tourists.
Address: No. 1, Yutuo Road (left of the Potala Square)
Barkhor Tangka Painting Department Store
It is a professional place of making and selling the most exquisite and beautiful Tangka. Employees of this shop speak both Chinese and English in order to make shopping easier for travelers. Another joy here lies in that free learning opportunities are given to those with curiosity.
Address: No. 10, East Barkhor Street
Telephone: 0891-6344930
OZARK Specialty Shop
OZARK Specialty Shop is a world famous shop dealing with mountaineering and trekking gears. Travelers who want to explore the mountainous areas of Tibet will find everything they need here, such as mountaineering apparel, equipment, backpacks and other accessories that are of world-famous brands.
Address: No. 21, Middle Beijing Road (south of the Potala Square)
Telephone: 0891- 6816379
Editor's words:
The big fame of Barkhor Street has drawn many coarsely done items to adulterate among the exquisite ones. So please carefully examine them for quality. Luckily, it won’t be difficult to pick up unique Tibetan and appealing baubles. In addition, Tibetan people call white copper as silver, so they do not intentionally lie when they are selling you "silver" things. And the small shops on the street behind Jokhang Temple sell real silver jewelries.
Be sure to bargain. Normally the deals can be done at 1/3 of the prices offered by sellers.
Tibetan people highly value their first customer and their last one. So try to go shopping on Barkhor Street in the morning or evening, when you are likely to be treated most sincerely.
Do not buy Tibetan medicines at Barkhor Street. Nearly all the medicines there are fake. Go to Tibetan Traditional Hospital (right opposite to Jokhang Temple Square) or the medicine company (on the west outskirts of Lhasa) instead, where, however, no bargains are allowed.
Dzi bead or god bead is naturally desirable as it is considered to be mascot of gob and be able to ward off evils while bringing good luck and power. Now that it is so precious, it can’t be laid out casually on the stalls and so easy to get. Actually, it is quite scarce even in Tibet. So, don’t buy the so-called precious dzi bead at the market.
Tibetan knives are not allowed on a plane or as consigned goods, but they can be sent via the post office. The general post office in Lhasa stands at Beijing Middle Road. There, goods will be sent more quickly than at any of the smaller post offices.
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