Nanjing abounds in various kinds of handicrafts due to more than 20 professional craft workshops and over ten thousand skilled workers. The most famous three are cloud brocade, paper-cut and imitations of ancient ivory carvings.

The best place to buy souvenirs is in the area around Confucius Temple. It is one of the traditional shopping centers in the city. Under the Jiangsu Provincial Silk Company, it specializes in sales of silk fabrics, garments and imitation silk products. Composed of five markets, it sells antique, ancient calligraphic works and paintings; flowers, birds, fish; folk handicrafts; small articles; and snacks with local flavor.

 

Another shopping street is Tourist and Sightseeing Shopping Street on Hunan Road. Hunan Road in downtown area starts from Shanxi Road Square in the west to Central Road in the east. Along this road there are 153 shops including five malls and 25 renowned-brand boutiques, with a business area of over 36,000 square meters. It is one of the busiest shopping streets and the first night fair of Nanjing.

In terms of Bazaars, three can be mentioned. Gold Eagle International Shopping Center, a huge mall established according to the international standards for a modern international and domestic famous brand merchandise including daily-use articles, jewelry, clothes for ladies and gentlemen, and electrical household appliances; Xinjiekou Department Store sells some 50,000 kinds of commodities; Central Mall for shopping, sightseeing, catering, amusement and leisure. In addition to general merchandise, it handles production means, advertising, amusement and processing. It also has the business right to import and export goods. The area around the Universities has some good little boutiques with fairly funky clothing.

 

The local products include the following:

Traditional Satin
The traditional cloud-pattern brocade is the most famous of the handicrafts. It got its name for the fact that the pattern on the material is said to resemble beautiful clouds. Originally made in the Southern Dynasty, it gradually developed during the Yuan Dynasty and was most popular during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. There have always been special institutes in charge of making garments with cloud-pattern brocade for the imperial family or foreign dignitaries. Try looking around the Confucius Temple area and at the night market on Hunan Lufor this brocade.

Velvet
Velvet is a material which is traditionally made and crafted in Nanjing. There are two main types of velvet produced in the region: silk velvet and silk-floss velvet. This velvet is used in tapestry, cushions, rugs, clothing and upholstery. There are numerous shops near Gulou roundabout on Hunan Lu where you can purchase good quality velvet.

Imitation Ancient Ivory Carvings
Imitation Ancient Ivory Carvings are very popular in Nanjing. The most common pieces depict figures, animals and vessels. One masterpiece, “The Princess Wencheng Leaving for Tibet" was chosen as one of the nine best traditional handicrafts produced in China. Besides this, other pieces are also very popular including the "Duanwu Dragon Boat", "A Tang Person Hits his friend called Ju" and Dancing Figures from the Tang Dynasty. Look around the Confucius Temple area for pretty ivory carvings. Most of the big department stores also sell this kind of thing.

Wood Carvings
Nanjing wood carvings include the imitation wood carving and boxwood carvings. The former is plain in color, with the horse and Buddha’s carving the most popular. The latter mainly depicts animals and figures.