Local Specialties in Hebi

Hebi boasts a rich variety of local specialties. First of all, we have to mention the clay toys from Xun County. With a long history, these clay handicrafts enjoy great popularity among local people. Yangqitun Village east of the county seat has long been known as the "Hometown of Clay Toys". More than 700 households in the village are skilled at clay sculpture. According to legend, this craft originated at the end of the Sui Dynasty, with a history stretching back over 1,200 years.

In addition, as a newly built city, Hebi is full of modern vibes. If you want to shop for fashionable clothes or hunt for retro-style items, the new urban district is an ideal choice, home to modern shopping centres. Good options include Hengye Baodian Store, Hebi Local Products Store, Jiahe Shopping Plaza and Jintai Department Store. The old district is bustling with crowds. Chunlei Road and the roundabout with the Chairman Mao statue are perfect spots for bargain hunting.

Clay sculpture is a folk craft that shapes clay into various vivid figures, commonly known as "painted clay sculpture" or "clay toys". It is crafted purely from clay.

Muyu stone tea sets are carved from single pieces of Muyu stone, including teapots, wine pots, cups, double-layer cups, cold water cups and tea canisters. Muyu stone is a rare hollow stone. It also has classical names such as Taiyi Yuliang, Yu Yuliang and Shizhong Huangzi, and is popularly called "Soul-reviving Stone" or "Phoenix Egg". It symbolizes good fortune, wards off evil spirits and disasters, and is believed to embody boundless Buddhist power.

Liquid is sealed inside hollow bluestone. Water can be seen inside, and will slosh up and down when the stone is shaken. For this reason, hollow bluestone is extremely rare and precious. It is also a traditional medicinal material. As recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica, the liquid sealed inside can cure eye diseases, restore eyesight and even bring sight back to the blind. Meanwhile, hollow bluestone is highly valued for artistic carving.