Xi’an Shopping Tips: Where to Go, What to Buy & Essential Tips

Written by Clementine | Updated December 10,2025

As one of the most important cities in northwestern China, Xian’s economy developed rapidly in recent years. With the ever-accelerated development of commerce, shopping is quite convenient. Xi’an where a major shopping district is characterized by a high concentration, so for tourists, shopping can be much more convenient. Whether to buy life necessities or travel products or local specialty, you can easily purchase them in the city center. Here are some helpful tips for shopping in Xian.

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• What to Buy in Xi’an
• Best Shopping Streets & Markets in Xi’an
• Top Shopping Malls in Xi’an
• A Quick Guide for Shopping in Xian
• Learn Some Basic Phrases for Bargaining
• Xi’an Shopping Tips
• FAQs about Shopping in Xian
• Travel with China Xian Tour for an In-depth Exploration of Xian

What to Buy in Xi’an

Before diving into the dazzling shopping locations, let’s first explore what to buy back from Xi’an as souvenirs:

• Terracotta Warrior Replicas – Symbolic of Xi’an’s ancient history, one of the most meaningful souvenirs you can get for your family for friends from Xi’an.
• Paper-cuttings & Shadow Puppets – Delicate traditional Chinese crafts, you’ll surely be amazed by the beautiful details. Pack them carefully to avoid any damage during your journey.
• Calligraphy Sets & Ink Stones – Part of the “Four Treasures of the Study,” which greatly tell the spirit of Chinese ancient scholars.
• Dough Figurines (Mian Ren) – Handcrafted folk art made from colored dough, a simple yet highly artistic traditional folk art of China.
• Qinqiang Opera Masks & Costumes – As a representative form of opera in Northwest China, Qinqiang is known for its distinctive facial makeup art, making the masks a great choice for souvenirs.
• Dried Fruit & Nuts – Especially from the Muslim Quarter.
• Persimmon Cakes, Pomegranate Wine, and Local Snacks – Perfect edible souvenirs in Xian, incredibly tasty.

See more recommended thing to buy in China as souvenirs.

Best Shopping Streets & Markets in Xi’an

1. Muslim Quarter & Beiyuanmen Night Market – Food & Souvenir Heaven

The bustling Muslim Quarter and Beiyuanmen Night Market is somewhere you have to explore when traveling to Xi’an. Here you can find all kinds of traditional snacks, dried fruit, halal delicacies, embroidered wallets, silverware, and other ethnic Hui Muslim crafts. If you are interested in local street food culture, don’t hesitate to stroll for a while.

• What’s Unique: Spice stalls, dried fruits, and Beiyuanmen Night Market for lamb skewers and walnut cakes.
• Must-Buy:Niúròu Gāntang (beef jerky), rose-petal jam, and embroidered slippers.

2. Shuyuanmen Cultural Street

Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, mainly for the scholar’s four jewels (writing brush, ink stick, slab and paper), calligraphy and painting artworks. It is one of the most atmospheric Xi’an shopping streets, lies near the South Gate.  perfect for those looking for traditional Chinese items.

• What’s Unique:Traditional “Four Treasures of the Study” (brush, ink, paper, inkstone) and replica Tang Dynasty paintings.
• Pro Tip: Visit De Fu Xiang shop for high-quality calligraphy sets.

3. Jiefang Road to Bell Tower Commercial Zone – City Center Shopping Loop

Stretching from Jiefang Road to East Avenue (Dongdajie), Bell Tower, South Avenue (Nandajie), and West Avenue (Xidajie), this is one of Xi’an’s most prosperous shopping belts. Many shopping malls stand along, teemed with a great number of up-scale shops and supermarkets.

Kangfu Road – wholesale or bargain-style shopping

Kangfu Road is beloved by the locals because of its diverse goods and cheap prices. Along the road, you will find several large shopping malls and numerous roadside shops. Here, clothes, shoes, hats, leatherware, petty commodities and daily necessities are all sold. And you can try to bargain from about half of the price.

The Great Tang Ever-bright City – Integration of Shopping and Culture

The Great Tang Ever-bright City is just next to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is recommended to buy souvenirs here. The dolls, fridge magnets, fans, hairpins, shadow puppets, and clay figurines are all integrated with local cultural elements. Along the road and in some shops, there are also culture performances. You will enjoy a modern, high-end cultural shopping experience here.

Top Shopping Malls in Xi’an

Here are some biggest shopping malls in Xi’an which worth a visit, they are perfect for daily shopping:

Kaiyuan Shopping Mall (开元商城)

Located in the heart of the Bell Tower area, Kaiyuan Shopping Mall is a time-honored department store and local favorite. It offers a mix of international and domestic fashion brands, cosmetics, electronics, and a food court serving both Chinese and Western cuisine.

Saga Shopping Mall

Saga Shopping Mall, near Xiaozhai, is home to the biggest indoor waterfall in Asia, a 7-floor dining plaza and 400+ stores, including trendy clothing shops and global fast fashion outlets. It’s also a popular place for hosting pop-up art exhibits and cultural events.

Xiaozhai Commercial District – Xi’an’s Fashion & Tech Hub

Xiaozhai is Xi’an’s answer to Tokyo’s Shibuya or Seoul’s Myeongdong. Locating near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it’s a vibrant commercial area teeming with energy, a top pick for digital goods and youthful fashion. Whether you’re hunting for the latest streetwear, snapping selfies at futuristic landmarks, or diving into gadget heaven, Xiaozhai is your best choice.

Related reading: Top Shopping Cities in China

The First Duty-Free Shop in Xian

The shop is inside the ZhongDa International and near the Bell Tower Business Circle. It has 3 floors and is divided into a duty-free goods area and a taxable goods area. The commodities include beauty products, perfumes, watches, jewelries, wine, electronic products, etc. You can purchase it in the mall and pick it up at the port. Then you will not need to travel around with the goods.

A Quick Guide for Shopping in Xian

• Historical and Cultural Districts:Muslim Quarter, Shuyuanmen Cultural Street
• Best for Modern Shopping:Saga Shopping Mall, Kaiyuan Shopping Mall, Xiaozhai Commercial District, Bell Tower Commercial Zone
• Themed Experience and Cultural Tourism Business: The Great Tang Ever-bright City
• Wholesale Market and Discount Shopping:Kangfu Road
• Specific Policy Shopping Place: Duty-Free Shop in Xian

Learn Some Basic Phrases for Bargaining

1. How much?- 多少钱？Duōshao qián?
2. Too expensive! – 太贵了！Tài guì le!
3. Can it be cheaper? – 便宜一点吧。Piányi yīdiǎn ba.
4. What’s your lowest price? – 最低多少钱？Zuìdī duōshao qián?
5. I’ll look around first. – 我再看看。Wǒ zài kànkan. ( imply you are leaving to strive for a lower price)
6. Okay, I’ll take it. – 好吧，我要了。Hǎo ba, wǒ yào le.

Related reading: Useful and Basic Mandarin Phrases Travelers to China Should Know

Xi’an Shopping Tips

• Bargaining Basics: Expect to bargain only at markets (Kangfu Road, Beiyuanmen), and you’re suggested to start at 30% of the quoted price. But remember, in malls such as Kaiyuan and Saga, the prices are usually fixed.
• Payment Methods: Alipay/WeChat Pay are two of the most widely accepted methods of payment. But do carry small cash for street vendors.
• Tech Shopping: If you’re shopping for electronics, head to Saige Computer City near Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The key is to compare prices across stalls.
• Avoid Counterfeits: If you want to but Terracotta replicas, only get them from museum shops (e.g., Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum).
• Transport Hacks: Metro Lines 2 & 3 will connect you to Xiaozhai, Bell Tower, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda where many popular shopping streets and shopping malls are located. You need to avoid taxis during rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).
• Dress Comfortably: Shopping at Xiaozhai and Muslim Quarter involve lots of walking. As a result, remember to wear comfy shoes!
• Tax Refund for Tourists:For stores with the sign of “buy now, return now”, if you have spent 500 or more in one day, then you can apply for a tax refund at the service counter of the mall directly. For stores not have the sign, you need to apply at the tax refund window in the airport. Usually, your passport, the good, an invoice and a tax-refund form are required.

Related reading: Shopping and Bargaining Tips in China

FAQs about Shopping in Xian

Is Xian good for shopping?

Yes, Xian is very suitable for shopping. From modern malls to special shopping streets, all can be found here and the types of commodities are also extremely abundant.

What is the best thing to bring back from Xian?

The specialties, like crystal cake and osmanthus thick wine, and cultural and creative products, like terracotta army replicas and shadow puppets, are characteristic and highly recommended.

Is it better to use cash or mobile payment apps like Alipay/WeChat Pay?

Alipay/WeChat Pay are widely used but a small amount of cash is also needed in case of emergency.

Should I bring my own shopping bags?

It is suggested to take one. It will be useful in small stores and markets and is environmentally friendly.

Are prices generally higher in tourist areas like the Muslim Quarter?

Yes, the tourist areas usually have a higher price due to the location, crowds and rent cost.

Are shopping districts and malls easily accessible via the metro?

Yes, it is very convenient, many shopping malls and districts are right beside or are close to the metro.

Travel with China Xian Tour for an In-depth Exploration of Xian

Travel with China Xian Tour, you will undoubtedly enjoy an in-depth Xian tour. Our travel agency is based in Xian, so we are very familiar with the city. As long as you tell us your preferences and demands, we can tailor a reasonable itinerary. Also, we can include more unique cultural experiences, such as shadow play. Besides, our local guide will introduce all the history, culture and interesting facts of the scenic spots. And the hotels, tickets, and driver are included. Just contact us to start your in-depth and carefree tour.