Shopping

Shopping on Hainan Island is an experience in and of itself. The island's vendors peddle wares of all kinds, from local hand-made crafts to imported designer watches and perfumes, all at prices that can seem like a steal. 

If you are looking for products that are unique to Hainan, you don't need to look any further than street vendors or local shops.  Hainan is a major producer and exporter of cultured pearls and the ideal place to purchase jewellery and other pearl products.

Hainan is also known for locally designed clothing and goods.  Local Li, Miao and Hui artists create amazing crafts, and would make an ideal gift. Keep an eye out for other local products including coconut juice and coconut products, fresh and dried fruits, coffee, pepper and assortment spices.

The key to shopping in Hainan is being prepared to barter or bargain. 

If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys the thrill of the bargain hunt, the Hainan markets and street shops are the places to go.

If you choose to barter, be sure not to approach a vendor regarding an item unless you intend to buy that item. If you do, you will be hassled continuously by the shop owner or vendor!

When ready to barter, ask the price, and then act disappointed and begin to walk away. If the vendor wants to lower the price of the item, you will find that he or she will suddenly give a special, lowered price. At this time, determine how much you would like to pay for the item and suggest a price lower than that. Eventually, you and the vendor will compromise somewhere in the middle. Just remember: Don't give up as you are participating in a time-honoured tradition!

Coconut handicrafts, like the ones pictured above, are very common on Hainan.  Coconuts are an especially important crop to Hainan.  Coconut trees from different varieties can be seen all along the Hainan coastline.  However, the coconut (palm) leaf beetle, discovered in 2002, has spread rapidly and is now a major threat to Hainan's coconut trees.

Li women have been perfecting their weaving skills for generations.  They are also renowned for their art of dying cloth to make complicated patterns.  The Li women have made a major contribution to the development of textiles in China.