Xuchang abounds in local specialties, including Xuchang tobacco leaves and Yanling flowers. Its traditional crafts feature Yuzhou Jun porcelain and tiger-head shoes. As one of China's five great porcelains, Yuzhou Jun porcelain is famous for its magical color transformation — one hue into the kiln, a riot of colors out. Major shopping malls in Xuchang are mostly located in Weidu District.

Jun porcelain, one of China's four great porcelains, is produced in Yuzhou City under the jurisdiction of Xuchang. It originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. Exquisite and dazzling, the finished pieces present picturesque looks and sound like melodious chimes when tapped.

The firing process is extremely difficult, as the old saying goes: Nine out of ten kilns end in failure. This makes Jun porcelain an invaluable treasure, ranking alongside jade, gold and silver. People often praise it with the lines: Jun porcelain outshines jade in beauty and Gold has a price, yet Jun porcelain is priceless. It is truly a national treasure of China. Porcelain collectors should not miss this craft in Xuchang.

Produced with natural spring water from Chenhuadian Town, Yanling County, this mineral water tastes sweet and refreshing. It is rich in strontium, metasilicic acid and other essential trace elements. Classified as low-sodium water with high calcium and magnesium carbonate content, it yields thick tea with a rich aroma when used for brewing. Enjoying the reputation of the finest water in the Central Plains, it is well worth a try.

Grown in more than ten counties of Xuchang, flue-cured tobacco here has a history of over 70 years. Its cultivation and curing techniques were introduced from Europe and America. Today, Xuchang is one of China's major flue-cured tobacco production bases. The tobacco leaves are golden yellow in color, with fine texture, moderate thickness, abundant natural oil and a mellow, full-bodied flavor.

Made from fresh sweet potato starch in Yuzhou via degreasing and purification with traditional craftsmanship, sweet potato vermicelli production here boasts a history of more than 600 years.

The vermicelli is golden and glossy, thin, even and dry. It features great toughness and tensile strength. As a pure natural green food, it tastes soft and smooth, contains rich nutrients, and will not break apart after long boiling. Easy to cook and store, it is known as artificial shark fin. Tourists can take some back for home cooking or as gifts for relatives and friends.

Yuba is the thin film formed on the surface of boiled soybean milk. It can be eaten fresh or after being sun-dried, and is a beloved traditional delicacy across China. It has a strong soybean flavor and a unique texture unlike other soybean products.

With a pale yellow glossy appearance, yuba is high in protein and various nutrients. It can be cooked with meat or vegetables, stir-fried, served cold or made into soup, delivering distinct delicious tastes in different dishes. Feel free to purchase some to take home.