Nanning Shopping

Nanning, as a popular tourist destination at home and abroad, has a full variety of tourist souvenirs and special local products. Its urban area is praised as a shopping paradise for every visitor, with a great many commercial centers and shopping centers. In the following, China Tours will introduce the representative souvenirs and tell you where to buy these things.

Nanning（南宁市） is the capital city of Guangxi and an important gateway for China–ASEAN cooperation. With the development of modern commerce, tourism, and regional trade, Nanning has formed a complete shopping system combining international shopping malls, traditional old-city markets, cultural creative streets, agricultural product markets, and specialty production areas. Visitors can experience both modern urban shopping and authentic Guangxi local lifestyle during their journey.

The shopping resources of Nanning mainly include four categories: high-end commercial centers, historical cultural shopping streets, local wholesale and agricultural markets, and specialty shopping destinations in surrounding counties and districts. These areas cover a wide range of products, from luxury goods and business gift packages to traditional handicrafts, ethnic cultural products, local snacks, tea, tropical fruits, and ASEAN imported goods.

As a city connecting China and Southeast Asia, Nanning has unique shopping advantages. Visitors can purchase Guangxi specialties such as Zhuang Brocade（壮锦）, embroidered balls, bronze drum souvenirs, jasmine tea, Old Friend Rice Noodles（老友粉）, Lemon Duck（柠檬鸭）, Wogan oranges（沃柑）, and traditional snacks, while also finding Southeast Asian products including Vietnamese coffee, Thai dried fruits, Malaysian white coffee, and ASEAN handicrafts.

What to Buy in Nanning

Momordica grosvenori(罗汉果)

Momordica grosvenori, also known as Luo Han Guo, gets its name due to the shape that looks like the belly of Buddha. Luo Han Guo, as a traditional Chinese herb, has effects on lowering blood pressure and digestive system. Therefore, many people who want to lose weight will choose Luo Han Guo to help digestion.

Zhuang Embroidery(壮族刺绣)

Guangxi, as Zhuang Autonomous Region, is full of Zhuang ethnic culture. When come to Nanning, bring the hand-embroidered craft-Zhuang Embroidery is a good choice. Generally, it is made of silk, which is characterized by different animals and special colors.

Ginkgo Seed(白果)

Ginkgo Seed, also known as Baiguo, is very precious as ginkgo is one of the oldest trees in world. As ginkgo is one of the oldest trees in world. Nanning is suitable for the growth ginkgo due to the distinct four seasons. The best time to have ginkgo seed is in summer. Ginkgo seed is not only a nice edible product, but also a great health care food and medicine.

Shaddock(柚子)

Shaddock is the best-known fruit in Guangxi. Shaddock is sweet with a light scent. It is rich in Vitamin C. Cumquat is a citrus like fruit with a sweet rind and acidic center. It can be eaten fresh or be made into a sweetmeat, canned or squeezed as a fruit juice drink. It is rich in Vitamin C1, B2, B1, P, Ca, etc.

Embroidered Ball(绣球)

Embroidered balls are romantic keepsakes. In ancient China, maidens threw embroidered balls at their Prince Charming. Whoever caught the ball would marry the maiden. Ranging from animals, wall decorations to plates and pails, hand-woven crafts are decorative as well as functional.

Where to Buy in Nanning

1. Supermarket/Shopping Mall

Many supermarkets serve the area of Nanning, such as the Nanning Department Store at No. 39 Chaoyang Road, Nanning City.

2. Qixing Street, a Shopping Street with Brands of a Great Variety

You can find almost everything you need in various shops along Qixing Street, ranging from large shopping malls to small street vendors.

3. Exclusive Shop

In Nanning, there are many exclusive shops for local products, such as the Wuge Local Products Exclusive Shop at Southeast 50 meters of the Interjection of Gulingxin Street and No. 10 Township Road.

Main Shopping Areas and Their Characteristics

Qingxiu ASEAN Business District（青秀东盟商务区）: Premium Shopping and Business Gifts

Qingxiu District（青秀区） is the most modern commercial area in Nanning and the preferred shopping area for business travelers, international visitors, and tourists who value quality and convenience. The district combines international shopping malls, ASEAN-themed commercial streets, exhibition shopping centers, and premium specialty stores.

The Mixc Shopping Mall（华润万象城） is one of the city’s leading luxury shopping centers, offering international brands, premium supermarkets, imported ASEAN products, high-end tea gift boxes, fruit gift sets, and lifestyle products. Hangyang International Shopping Center（航洋国际购物中心） provides a combination of shopping, dining, coffee culture, and specialty stores, while Dongmeng Shengtiandi（东盟盛天地） focuses on Southeast Asian culture with ASEAN restaurants, imported goods, and themed commercial spaces.

The China-ASEAN Expo Premium Products Center（东博优品展销中心） near Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center（南宁国际会展中心） is one of the best places for purchasing official Guangxi and ASEAN products. It gathers regional agricultural products, tea, food gift boxes, cultural products, and Southeast Asian specialties. Many products support nationwide delivery, making it suitable for large purchases and business gifts.

Xingning Old City Area（兴宁老城）: Traditional Culture, Souvenirs and Local Shopping

Xingning District（兴宁区） represents the historical commercial center of Nanning and is the most popular shopping area for first-time visitors. The combination of Three Streets Two Lanes（三街两巷）, Chaoyang Square（朝阳广场）, Water Street（水街）, and Zhongshan Road Night Market（中山路夜市） allows travelers to combine sightseeing, food tasting, and shopping in one route.

Three Streets Two Lanes（三街两巷） is the most representative cultural shopping district in Nanning. The restored traditional streets and arcade buildings contain many cultural stores selling Zhuang handicrafts, embroidered balls, bronze drum decorations, city-themed souvenirs, tea products, and packaged local food. Shops such as Yongcheng Impression（邕城印记） and Kapok Mountain Crafts（木棉远山） focus on Guangxi cultural products and handmade ethnic crafts.

Water Street（水街） is a traditional local market with a history of more than one hundred years. It is more suitable for purchasing authentic local snacks, dried goods, traditional pastries, rice noodle products, and fresh local food. Compared with tourist shopping streets, Water Street offers a stronger local atmosphere and more affordable prices.

Huaxiang Wholesale Market（华强批发市场） is a good choice for visitors who need to buy souvenirs in larger quantities. Packaged snacks, small handicrafts, and daily goods are usually cheaper than tourist areas.

Xixiangtang District（西乡塘区）: Affordable Local Markets and Student Shopping Areas

Xixiangtang District（西乡塘区） is known for its universities, student population, and local markets. It is suitable for budget travelers, food lovers, and visitors who prefer authentic local consumption rather than tourist shopping.

Dancun Market（淡村市场） is one of the most popular local markets, offering tropical fruits, tea products, dried goods, vegetables, snacks, and agricultural products. It is a good place to experience how local residents shop daily.

Nongyuan Road（农院路） and nearby food streets mainly focus on affordable snacks and student consumption. Visitors can also find packaged local products and small souvenirs. Tangren Cultural Park（唐人文化园） provides opportunities to explore wood carving, horn carving, and traditional handicrafts.

Jiangnan and Liangqing Riverside Areas（江南区 / 良庆区）: Leisure Shopping and Local Products

The Jiangnan and Liangqing areas combine riverside tourism, entertainment, and cultural shopping. Tingzi Wharf（亭子码头） is suitable for relaxed shopping after enjoying Yong River scenery, offering ASEAN coffee products, lifestyle souvenirs, and small cultural items.

Yangmei Ancient Town（扬美古镇） is more suitable for cultural souvenir shopping. Visitors can purchase local products such as Yangmei fermented black beans, traditional pastries, handmade crafts, and rural specialties while exploring ancient streets and historical buildings.

Nanning Specialty Products and Travel Souvenirs

Guangxi Traditional Food Products

Nanning’s most popular souvenirs are closely connected with local food culture. Old Friend Rice Noodles（老友粉） is the city’s most famous food symbol, and packaged gift boxes are convenient for travelers to bring home. Lemon Duck（柠檬鸭） from Wuming District（武鸣区） has become another representative Guangxi specialty, with vacuum-packed products suitable for transportation.

Hengzhou Jasmine Tea（横州茉莉花茶） is one of the most popular tea souvenirs. Visitors can buy different grades of jasmine tea, tea gift boxes, and jasmine-related products. Other popular food souvenirs include sour snacks, five-color sticky rice products, traditional pastries, dried fruits, and Guangxi agricultural products.

Ethnic Cultural Handicrafts

Nanning is one of the best places to purchase Zhuang cultural handicrafts. Zhuang Brocade（壮锦） products include bags, scarves, accessories, and decorations featuring traditional patterns. Embroidered Balls（绣球） represent Zhuang culture and are popular cultural gifts.

Bronze drum cultural products, ethnic paintings, handmade pottery, traditional accessories, and folk crafts are also popular among visitors interested in Guangxi culture.

For authentic handicrafts, visitors are recommended to purchase from official cultural stores, museums, or professional workshops rather than temporary street stalls.

ASEAN Imported Products

Because of Nanning’s role as the permanent host city of the China–ASEAN Expo, ASEAN products are widely available throughout the city. Popular products include Vietnamese coffee, Thai dried fruits, Malaysian white coffee, tropical snacks, spices, and Southeast Asian handicrafts.

The best places to buy these products are China-ASEAN Expo shopping areas, large shopping malls, and official specialty stores.

Shopping by District and Production Area

Wuming District（武鸣区）

Wuming is famous for agricultural products and Zhuang cultural products. Visitors can purchase Lemon Duck（柠檬鸭）, Wogan oranges（沃柑）, Gray Water Zongzi（灰水粽）, bamboo rice products, and handmade ethnic souvenirs.

The best shopping experience comes from local farms, specialty stores, and village workshops.

Hengzhou City（横州市）

Hengzhou is the hometown of jasmine tea in Guangxi. The jasmine production area provides direct purchasing opportunities for jasmine tea, jasmine desserts, jasmine fragrance products, and tea-related cultural products.

The China Jasmine Garden area is the best place to experience jasmine agriculture and tea culture.

Mashan County（马山县）

Mashan offers mountain specialties including black goat products, mushrooms, dried agricultural products, and folk cultural souvenirs. These products are closely connected with local ecological agriculture.

Binyang County（宾阳县）

Binyang is famous for the Firecracker Dragon Festival（炮龙节） and traditional handicrafts. Visitors can purchase festival-themed souvenirs, traditional snacks, handmade noodles, and cultural products.

Shanglin County（上林县）

Shanglin provides mountain tea, Yao ethnic handicrafts, bamboo products, and ecological agricultural products. It is suitable for travelers interested in rural tourism and natural products.

Shopping at Nanning Tourist Attractions

Qingxiu Mountain（青秀山）

Qingxiu Mountain mainly offers cultural souvenirs and scenic-area themed products, such as orchid souvenirs, postcards, and small Guangxi gifts. Because prices inside scenic areas are usually higher, visitors should avoid purchasing large quantities of food, medicinal products, or agricultural goods here.

Guangxi Museum of Nationalities（广西民族博物馆）

The museum’s official cultural store is one of the most reliable places to buy ethnic cultural products. Recommended items include bronze drum souvenirs, Zhuang Brocade products, ethnic books, and cultural creative products.

Three Streets Two Lanes（三街两巷）

This area is suitable for buying Nanning cultural souvenirs, handmade crafts, and packaged local specialties. Visitors should choose official stores rather than temporary street vendors selling low-priced “handmade” products.

Fantawild ASEAN God Theme Park（方特东盟神画）

The park offers ASEAN-themed toys, cultural souvenirs, and character products. It is suitable for small gifts, while expensive products such as large latex items are generally not recommended.

Yangmei Ancient Town（扬美古镇）

Visitors can purchase traditional snacks, local agricultural products, and village handicrafts. Expensive antiques, jade, and unofficial collectibles should be avoided.

Nanning Shopping Routes with Yaso Trip

One-Day Old City Shopping Route

This route is suitable for high-speed rail visitors and first-time travelers.

The journey starts from Three Streets Two Lanes（三街两巷） for cultural souvenirs and Zhuang handicrafts, continues to Water Street（水街） for traditional snacks and local products, then moves to Chaoyang Square（朝阳广场） for supermarkets and packaged specialties.

This route combines history, food, and shopping with convenient transportation.

Two-Day Premium and Local Shopping Route

On the first day, visit China-ASEAN Expo Premium Products Center（东博优品展销中心）, The Mixc（华润万象城）, and ASEAN shopping areas for high-quality gifts and imported products.

On the second day, explore Three Streets Two Lanes（三街两巷）, Water Street（水街）, and local markets to purchase traditional food products and affordable souvenirs.

Three-Day Production Area Shopping Route

The first day focuses on urban shopping, including ASEAN products, modern malls, and cultural streets.

The second day visits Wuming District（武鸣区） for Lemon Duck, Wogan oranges, and Zhuang handicrafts.

The third day explores Hengzhou City（横州市） for jasmine tea gardens, tea workshops, and jasmine cultural products.

Seasonal Shopping Guide

Spring (March–May)

Spring is suitable for buying fresh jasmine tea, tropical fruits, and cultural festival souvenirs. Hengzhou jasmine products and traditional handicrafts are especially popular.

Summer (June–August)

Summer is the season for tropical fruits, drinks, snacks, and night market shopping. Visitors can enjoy local food while purchasing lightweight souvenirs.

Autumn (September–November)

Autumn is the best shopping season in Nanning. The China-ASEAN Expo introduces new products, Wogan oranges enter harvest season, and agricultural specialties are abundant.

Winter (December–February)

Winter is ideal for purchasing tea products, dried goods, Lemon Duck products, and New Year gift packages.

Shopping Tips and Avoiding Common Problems

Visitors should prioritize official stores, museums, large supermarkets, production-area shops, and certified specialty stores when buying important gifts.

Tourist attractions, airports, railway stations, and temporary street stalls often have higher prices. Large purchases are better made in commercial districts or production areas.

When purchasing handicrafts, visitors should understand the difference between handmade and machine-made products. Extremely cheap Zhuang Brocade or ethnic accessories are usually factory-produced.

For large tea boxes, fruit gift sets, and specialty products, many stores provide nationwide delivery services, allowing travelers to avoid carrying heavy luggage.

Nanning Shopping Resource Summary Table