Tourist stuff in Yangshuo
There is a huge amount of touristy stuff available:
Pashmina scarves (Cashmere by a different name).
Silk products: ties, kimonos, scarves, dresses.
Pottery, bronze, stone carvings, bracelets, and knickknacks of all sorts.
Scroll paintings, fans and embroidered cloths.
Much of this stuff is lovely, really very tempting. However, quite a bit of it is fake and nearly all of it is available all over China and cheaper outside of Yangshuo.
Asking prices for such stuff in Yangshuo are horribly inflated. Here is a table based on some travellers' experience:
| Item |
Asking price, in yuan |
Price paid |
A local says it is worth |
|
elsewhere |
Yangshuo |
Yangshuo |
|
| silk ties |
20 |
75-120 |
50 for 3 |
|
| small silk scarves |
|
80-100 |
20 |
|
| large scarf/wrap |
60-80 |
120-200 |
50 |
|
| old silver dollars, nearly all counterfeit |
20 |
80-150 |
6-10 |
|
| large tapestry |
|
150 |
55 |
30-40 |
| Wooden dolls with minority style clothes |
|
up to 50 |
6 |
20 CNY for 10-12 dolls |
| Half-meter (18") wooden Buddha |
|
400 |
100 |
less |
Getting the prices shown took hard bargaining, often based on knowledge of prices elsewhere. Of course, even those may not be the best possible prices.
Unlike other touristy places in China, shops in Yangshuo is notorious for overcharging not just because you are a tourist. They do it because you're a foreigner.
Many tourists, having no idea of the real Chinese price, are grossly overcharged. After all, even ¥120 (about $17 US) would be a great price for a nice pure silk tie back home.
Being rude at haggling usually gets you into nowhere and basic ask-first-and-walk-away strategy will more likely work.
Advice for tourists who have no idea what the Chinese price should be:
Compare different offers first but don't haggle until you're ready to buy.
Ignore the offered price and throw out the price you thought it is. You can usually get more price cut on clothing, silks and pottery, but don't expect much on ginger candy.
Walk away if the vendor will not meet your price. They often follow after you with better prices. Note that some vendors may be unwilling to give you a fair price, and will not follow you even if you walk away.
If you plan to travel to other cities, you might want to do your purchases elsewhere. Apart from a few specific items, most of what you see in Yangshuo may be found anywhere, with much better chances of paying a fair price.
See also How to haggle.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Yangshuo
