Local Specialties of Xichang

Xichang is home to a large Yi ethnic community, so its local specialties are closely linked with Yi culture.

Major specialties include Yi lacquerware, Yi silver ornaments, Yi traditional costumes, Liangshan mountain delicacies, matsutake, caterpillar fungus, turnip pickles, Yanyuan dried apple, tartary buckwheat tea, Leibo green tea, Jianchang dried duck, and rocket models from the satellite launch base. Well-known shopping venues in Xichang include Dada Shopping Plaza, Jiajia Supermarket, Wujiaohua Supermarket, Yinhe Supermarket and Walmart Supercenter.

Yi costumes are widely available across Xichang, all handcrafted by Yi women.

These skillful artisans select various fabrics and create exquisite garments through embroidery, sewing and other traditional crafts. The finished costumes are elegant and eye-catching to wear.

Silver ornaments have long been a symbol of fashion among the Yi people and remain popular to this day. The elaborate and delicate designs fully reflect the local people’s deep fondness for silverware.

Besides accessories, silver is also made into daily utensils such as tableware and knives. Most pieces are carved with patterns of flowers, birds, fish, animals, mountains and rivers. The carvings are distinct, intricate and well-arranged. From large headpieces and small rings to various silver utensils, every item boasts exquisite beauty.

Evolved from ancient Yi tableware with a history of thousands of years, Yi lacquerware is a traditional folk craft. While preserving its primitive and simple style, its lacquering techniques have absorbed modern technologies, making the craftsmanship increasingly sophisticated.

Its product range covers traditional tableware and wine vessels, as well as newly developed tea sets, tourist souvenirs and modern interior decorations. It is featured by distinct ethnic characteristics, fine handwork and elegant taste.

Also known as Jianchang Ink Stone, it is a new type of ink stone. Craftsmen, who are senior stone carvers skilled in She Ink Stone craftsmanship from Anhui, carve it elaborately using naturally formed impact rocks, sedimentary rocks, glacial stones and pearl stones from the Luoji Mountains along the Jinsha River and Yalong River basins in western China.

Xichang Ink Stone features fine texture, clear layers, rich colors and a pleasant touch. It grinds ink efficiently without damaging brush hairs and keeps water from evaporating easily. It also possesses rare natural markings seen on many famous ink stones, including yellow-green stripes, gold and silver veins, fiery cloud patterns, golden stars, stone eyes, carmine hues, jade belts, frozen red textures and aquatic plant fossils. Colorful and gorgeous, it is a true work of art.

Tartary buckwheat grows in unpolluted alpine areas over 2,000 meters above sea level. It is highly nutritious, rich in protein, rutin, bitter principles, cellulose and chlorophyll, as well as nine essential amino acids and various trace elements for the human body.

Liangshan tartary buckwheat contains a high level of rutin, which helps reduce blood lipids and blood sugar and soften blood vessels. Its bitter principles work to clear internal heat, relieve inflammation and expel toxins from the body.

Yanyuan is the largest apple production base in southwest China. Blessed with unique natural conditions, Yanyuan apples have thin peels, tender flesh and a fragrant, sweet and crisp taste. They also hit the market earlier than most varieties. Favored by consumers, these apples are big in size, bright in color, delicious and free from pollution.