What to Buy in Xi'an (西安)

terracotta warriors, folk crafts and Shaanxi food classics

Xi'an ancient city wall with gate tower
Photo: Ideophagous · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Xi'an is where China began as an empire — and it still sells like it. The best souvenirs here are tied to the city's deep history: terracotta warrior replicas from the First Emperor's mausoleum, folk crafts from the Guanzhong Plain, and foods that fed the Tang capital.

The strategy: buy replicas and cultural products at museum shops (licensed, fixed prices) or on Shuyuanmen's craft street; eat and snack-shop your way through Hui Street; and grab sealed food gift boxes at the big malls before you fly. Bargaining is normal on the craft and souvenir streets.

Most large stores in the main tourist areas offer departure tax refund paperwork — ask for it before you pay.

Shopping highlights

  • Terracotta Army replicas: the iconic Xi'an souvenir — licensed miniatures at museum shops vs. street-stall copies; know the difference.
  • National intangible-heritage folk crafts: Fengxiang clay figurines, Fengxiang woodblock New Year prints, and Huaxian shadow puppetry — all from the Guanzhong region.
  • Shaanxi food classics: Demaogong crystal cakes (a century-old brand) and Huanggu thick rice wine — buy sealed gift packaging for travel.
  • Hui Street for food gifts: the Muslim Quarter's streets are the city's liveliest food-shopping area — and the highest scam-risk area for jade.
  • Tax refunds: major department stores and malls in tourist areas generally support departure tax refunds — ask for the form before paying.

Worth buying in Xi'an

Worth finding

Fengxiang Clay Figurines (凤翔泥塑)

Bold, colorful clay folk figures from Fengxiang, Baoji — a national intangible-heritage craft that is light and gift-friendly.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Jingyang Fu Brick Tea (泾阳茯砖茶)

Shaanxi's dark brick tea with distinctive 'golden flowers' — a rare, storied tea born in Jingyang on the ancient tea road.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Lantian Jade (蓝田玉)

One of China's historic jades, carved near Xi'an for millennia — beautiful, but the highest fake-risk purchase in Xi'an. Buy carefully.

Price varies — check in store

Where to shop in Xi'an

Grand Tang Mall (Datang Everbright City) (大唐不夜城)

Street

西安市雁塔区慈恩路46号

  • Yanta District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Hui Street (Huiminjie) (回民街)

Street

西安市莲湖区回民街

  • Lianhu District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

SAGA International Shopping Center (赛格国际购物中心)

Mall

西安市雁塔区长安中路123号

  • Yanta District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆)

Specialty Shop

西安市雁塔区小寨东路91号

  • Yanta District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Shuyuanmen Cultural Street (书院门文化街)

Street

西安市碑林区书院门

  • Beilin District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Xi'an Museum (西安博物院)

Specialty Shop

西安市碑林区友谊西路72号

  • Beilin District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Sources

City guide checked 2026-10-10.