Shopping in Sanya-Pearls, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Tea, Coffee and more
Where to go shopping in Sanya?
From Beaches to Markets
Your
first impression of Sanya's shopping scene may be "seen it, bought it."
Much of the products you'll be bombarded with can be found at other
islands around the globe or at other tourist destinations within China.
Straw hats, Hawaiian style beach shirts and, of course, the staple in
practically every Chinese city, pearls. But hunt around a little harder
and you'll find some bargains with a little more local flavor. No matter
where you go shopping or what you buy, whether in street stalls or
specialty shops, remember to bring your hard bargaining face. Crafty
vendors are more than happy to lighten your cash load.
Your first impression of Sanya's shopping scene may be "seen it, bought it." Much of the products you'll be bombarded with can be found at other islands around the globe or at other tourist destinations within China. Straw hats, Hawaiian style beach shirts and, of course, the staple in practically every Chinese city, pearls. But hunt around a little harder and you'll find some bargains with a little more local flavor. No matter where you go shopping or what you buy, whether in street stalls or specialty shops, remember to bring your hard bargaining face. Crafty vendors are more than happy to lighten your cash load.
Pearls
Odds are slim that you'll leave Sanya without buying pearls. Local women wearing floppy straw hats and colorful, loose fitting pants wander up and down Dadonghai beach at all hours of the day carting baskets overflowing with bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Whether you like your necklaces long, short, delicate, pink, white, black or lavender, these ladies have them all. Even if you have resolutely decided you don't want to buy, these women think nothing of plopping down beside you, making small chat and waiting you out; before you know it your limbs will be covered in multicolored strings of pearls, regardless if you initially wanted them. The pearls sold on the beach are a mix of rejects from factories and cheap fakes. The rejects have little wrong except slight imperfections in color, shape or size that make them unsuitable for commercial shops. The women will scratch the pearls with scissors to show you their authenticity. If the color flakes off, they're fakes. A real pearl will produce pearl powder when scratched, but the color and surface won't be damaged. However, be warned that there are great imitations out there that can fool even the most discerning of eyes. Be sure to bargain hard, as the women will try to charge exorbitant prices. Necklaces can usually be bargained down to USD3 - 7. Never pay more than 25 percent of the initial price.
If you doubt your eagle eye, it's best to head to one of the larger factories. Try the Heren Pearl Shop, where you can watch the entire pearl cultivation process and view exhibitions. If you like what you see, you can buy away. Fresh water pearls sell for around USD125-250 per necklace, while seawater pearls can run over USD400 -USD1250 per necklace. Be careful though - even in these factories you need to pay attention to quality.
Pearl Cream and Powder
According to the Chinese, pearls are the fountain of youth. Women swear by the pearl's beauty benefits, as its powder is supposed to keep your skin soft, wrinkle-free and young. Most department stores and cosmetic shops sell a number of brands of pearl cream, lotion and powder. If you've spent a long day in the sun and come away from the beach with a bad burn, several specialized pearl lotions work like aloe vera gel to prevent peeling.
Candies
Step into almost any souvenir shop or supermarket in Sanya and you'll be greeted by wooden barrels brimming with all manner of fruit and coffee flavored sweets. The coffee candies make for a great subtle caffeine fix while the coconut hard candies are smooth and creamy. If you prefer something to chew on, try the soft coconut and mango gummy candies - these juicy little squares are bursting with exotic island flavors. If you like what you taste, buy a bunch, stuff your carry on and take them back as gifts for colleagues.
Dried Seafood and Tropical Fruits
If you can brave the smell, wander through Sanya's dried seafood markets. Squid, tuna, mackerel, shrimp, scallops and other unidentifiable creatures look like they swam up from the darkest depths of the ocean only to land on the table of a fanatical drier. Supposedly some of these dehydrated delicacies have medicinal properties. The dried sea snake can reduce fevers and improve blood circulation. Sea cucumbers (there are over 18 species in Hainan) are high in protein and are used in many traditional Chinese medicines. Reconstituting these sea creatures so that they're edible can require from one hour to even one day of preparation, involving a witches brew recipe of soaking, simmering and boiling. If you want dried products that are easier on your nose, try the dried coconut, mango, pineapple and bananas.
If you can brave the smell, wander through Sanya's dried seafood markets. Squid, tuna, mackerel, shrimp, scallops and other unidentifiable creatures look like they swam up from the darkest depths of the ocean only to land on the table of a fanatical drier. Supposedly some of these dehydrated delicacies have medicinal properties. The dried sea snake can reduce fevers and improve blood circulation. Sea cucumbers (there are over 18 species in Hainan) are high in protein and are used in many traditional Chinese medicines. Reconstituting these sea creatures so that they're edible can require from one hour to even one day of preparation, involving a witches brew recipe of soaking, simmering and boiling. If you want dried products that are easier on your nose, try the dried coconut, mango, pineapple and bananas.
Coffee, Tea and Pepper
The breezy slopes of Hainan make for prime coffee, tea and pepper growing conditions. Whole bean or ground coffee costs around
RMB30-50 per package in supermarkets. The price of tea is about the same. Hainan's white and black pepper is also well known and perfect for spicing up home cooking. Supermarkets, like the Summer Mall in Dadonghai, sell bottles of pepper for
RMB20 per package.
Local handicrafts
Street hawkers, gift shops and local mountain villages sell a variety of crafts like coconut, wood and shell carvings, as well as local Li, Miao and Hui minority clothing and batiks. However, most of these items are mass-produced and can be found virtually anywhere in China, so peruse carefully for products with more authentic local flavor.
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