Shopping Overview of Hainan Highlands

Central Hainan is largely inhabited by Li and Miao minority groups and the highlands are probably the best area to expose yourself to the multi-cultural environment of Hainan. The rich cultural heritage and the colorful lifestyles of the local people here offer many goods for travelers to buy and take away as a souvenir of their trip here.

Both the Li and Miao people are expert handicraft producers and textile products (including an exquisite type of tie dye material), bamboo carving, silver ornament and bronzeware are all artistically produced here.

The most famous products here include the Li brocade clothing and jewelry. Gold thread, shells, pearls and bronze thread are common decorations on these pieces. These pieces can be picked up at tourist shops accross the area and the market in Baisha has some particuarly good examples of Li handicrafts on sale.

Shopping Overview of Hainan East Coast

Thoughout the towns and cities along eastern Hainan’s coast, along with other local products common to Hainan, you may also find two items in abundance on the east coast. These are coconut shell carvings and crafts, and pearls. The former is in such abundance because the area is known for its coconut trees, especially Wenchang’s Dongjiao Coconut Forest.

Hainan is famous in China for pearl cultivation. Pearls are grown in large cultivation fields along Hainan’s southeastern coast in places like Hailing Pearl Farm near Lingshui.

Shopping Overview of Hainan East Coast

Western Hainan is not at developed as other areas such as Haikou, Sanya or even the eastern coast. Nevertheless, many special items plentiful in other areas can also be found in Danzhou and other cities along Hainan’s east coast. Fubao mangos are native to the east, but available here and shell crafts, pearls, coral landscapes, and natural crystals can all be purchased at major cities and tourist destinations.