Henan is a landlocked province in central China, on the middle Yellow River, that held the capitals of several dynasties. It is home to the Shaolin Temple, the Longmen Grottoes, the Shang dynasty Yin Ruins and Song dynasty Kaifeng, all linked by fast high-speed rail from Zhengzhou.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Junci (Jun ware) porcelain
Copper-red and sky-blue glazes from Yuzhou, one of the five great Song kilns
Price: ¥150-20,000 (approx USD 22-2,985)
Where: Shenhou Ancient Porcelain Town, Yuzhou; Zhengzhou gift shops with certificate
Ru ware porcelain
Pale celadon Ru glaze from Ruzhou and Baofeng; genuine pieces are rare and costly
Price: ¥500-60,000 (approx USD 75-8,955)
Where: Ruzhou Ru ware studios, Zhengzhou museum shops
Tang sancai (three-colour glaze) figurines
Luoyang's horse and camel figurines in green, amber and white glazes
Price: ¥50-3,000 (approx USD 7-448)
Where: Luoyang Old Town shops, museum shops
Luoyang peony cakes and tea
Sweet peony pastries and peony petal tea, sold in gift boxes
Price: ¥20-150 (approx USD 3-22)
Where: Luoyang Lijingmen Old Street, Wangcheng Park shops
Kaifeng palace lanterns
Hand-made silk and paper lanterns, a Song dynasty tradition from Kaifeng
Price: ¥30-600 (approx USD 4-90)
Where: Kaifeng Shuyuanmen and Gulou area shops
Kaifeng Bian embroidery (Bianxiu)
Fine Song-style silk embroidery from Kaifeng, framed scenes and scarves
Price: ¥100-5,000 (approx USD 15-746)
Where: Kaifeng Shuyuanmen Street shops
Zhuxianzhen woodblock New Year prints
Woodblock prints of door gods and folk scenes from Zhuxianzhen, one of China's great print centres
Price: ¥20-400 (approx USD 3-60)
Where: Zhuxianzhen print workshops, Kaifeng
Xinyang Maojian tea
Henan's famous green tea from the Dabie Mountains near Xinyang
Price: ¥80-1,500 (approx USD 12-224)
Where: Zhengzhou tea markets, Xinyang tea shops
Nanyang Dushan jade carvings
Carved jade from Nanyang's Dushan quarries, one of China's four famous jades
Price: ¥50-10,000 (approx USD 7-1,493)
Where: Nanyang jade market, Zhengzhou gift shops
Shaolin kung fu souvenirs and tai chi swords
Practice swords, uniforms and prayer beads near Shaolin and Chenjiagou
Price: ¥30-800 (approx USD 4-119)
Where: Shaolin Temple scenic area, Dengfeng, Chenjiagou village
Xinzheng jujubes (red dates)
Xinzheng gray jujubes, dried and boxed, a Yellow River delicacy
Price: ¥20-120 (approx USD 3-18)
Where: Zhengzhou supermarkets, Xinzheng markets
Kaifeng peanut candy and Daokou grilled chicken
Peanut candy and vacuum-packed Daokou grilled chicken from Huaxian
Price: ¥20-100 (approx USD 3-15)
Where: Kaifeng Gulou Night Market, Zhengzhou train station shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Kaifeng Gulou Night Market
Kaifeng Gulou Night Market: Kaifeng peanut candy, soup dumplings, grilled skewers and quick souvenirs.
Where: Kaifeng Old City
Hours: Daily about 5PM-midnight; peak 7-10PM
Xiangguo Temple Market, Kaifeng
Xiangguo Temple Market, Kaifeng: Antiques, calligraphy, second-hand books and Buddhist items.
Where: Kaifeng
Hours: Temple grounds daily about 8AM-5:30PM; antiques strongest on weekends
Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street, Kaifeng
Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street, Kaifeng: Calligraphy, ink stones, lanterns, Bian embroidery.
Where: Kaifeng Old City
Hours: Daily about 9AM-9PM
Luoyang Lijingmen Old Street
Luoyang Lijingmen Old Street: Tang sancai, peony cakes, hanfu rental, snacks.
Where: Luoyang
Hours: Daily about 9AM-11PM
Luoyang Old City Cross Street (Shizi Street) Night Market
Luoyang Old City Cross Street (Shizi Street) Night Market: Street snacks, water banquet soups, crafts.
Where: Luoyang
Hours: Daily about 5PM-11PM
Luoyang Dongguan Street
Luoyang Dongguan Street: Old-town shops, herbs, local sweets, pastries.
Where: Luoyang
Hours: Daily about 9AM-9PM
Zhengzhou City God Temple Market
Zhengzhou City God Temple Market: Antiques, curios, jade, tea and paintings.
Where: Zhengzhou
Hours: Daily about 9AM-6PM
Zhengzhou Erqi Square Commercial Area
Zhengzhou Erqi Square Commercial Area: Department stores, malls, mid-range fashion, electronics.
Where: Zhengzhou
Hours: Shops about 10AM-10PM
Shenhou Ancient Porcelain Town (Junci)
Shenhou Ancient Porcelain Town (Junci): Jun ware porcelain studios, kiln museums, ceramic workshops.
Where: Xuchang
Hours: Daily about 8AM-6PM
Ruzhou Ru Ware Cultural Street
Ruzhou Ru Ware Cultural Street: Ru ware studios and museum shops with certificates.
Where: Pingdingshan
Hours: Daily about 9AM-6PM
Zhengzhou Wenhua Road Night Market
Zhengzhou Wenhua Road Night Market: Local snacks, clothing and accessories.
Where: Zhengzhou
Hours: Daily about 6PM-midnight
Xinzheng Jujube Market
Xinzheng Jujube Market: Xinzheng gray jujubes and dried fruit.
Where: Zhengzhou
Hours: Daily about 8AM-6PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Erqi Square
Zhengzhou's main downtown shopping hub
Luoyang Old Town (Laocheng)
Pedestrian streets with crafts and food
Kaifeng Old City (Gulou-Shuyuanmen)
Song dynasty-style streets
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Dennis Department Store (Erqi Square)
Zhengzhou's homegrown department store chain with fashion, food court and supermarket
Hours: Daily about 9:30AM-10PM
Zhengzhou Wanda Plaza (Erqi)
Large mall with cinema, dining and international chains
Hours: Daily about 10AM-10PM
Zhengdong New Area CBD malls
Business district cluster of malls and hotels around Ruyi Lake
Hours: Daily about 10AM-10PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Start at 40-50% of the first price at markets, antique stalls and craft streets
Smile, stay polite and be ready to walk away
No bargaining at department stores, chain stores and inside museum shops
Check porcelain and jade for certificates before agreeing
Pay via Alipay or WeChat or in cash; count change carefully
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Business hours: malls 10AM-10PM, markets 9AM-9PM, Do not touch items without asking; antiques are often fragile, Carry a passport for tax refund at designated shops (purchases over ¥200, approx USD 30), Export limits: items older than 1911 need a red wax seal; ask the shop about paperwork