Kunming Shopping

Golden Dragon Department Store

This is the place to find designer items including watches, perfumes, clothes etc. Don't expect to find any bargains.

Location: Bai Ta Lu

Guangzheng Tushu Books

There's a good bookshop selling imported modern novels and travel guides mainly in English but also French, Spanish and German.

Location: Yi'eryi Street, a little west of Yunnan University

Flowers & Birds Market

This is where you'll find all manner of antiques, paintings, jade and other stones, orchids and bric-a-brac.

Nan Yao Market

Located next to the train station is the largest open air market in Kunming. Here, you'll find many handicrafts and other local products.

Tea

Throughout Kunming you'll find tea shops everywhere selling Yunnan's famous Pu'Er tea that is said to reduce inflammation, aid digestion, reduce cholesterol and even help you lose weight.

The tea is compressed into bricks of various shapes and sizes. Often you'll find it crafted into decorative items or even a set of chess pieces. Tea tastings are something of a ritual that's part of the culture, just make you ask how much the tasting will cost in advance because tourist prices can be steep.

Walmart

The three Kunming outlets of the giant American chain hold no surprises but they all stock a good selection of imported food items.

Wood and Jade carving

Local artisans are famous for their elaborate carvings depicting animals, birds, dragons and many other kinds of Chinese symbolism. Intricate Jade jewellry is a speciality.