Top 10 Souvenirs in Tibet

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Plan you Tibet Tour? Do you know what souvenirs are worth buying during your Tibet Tour? Souvenirs in Tibetan style are popular in both China and the world. The flowing is a listing of top 10 souvenirs of Tibet for your reference.

Tibetan Knives

The Tibetan has the habit of taking knives along with them. They use them as the tools to defend, to slaughter livestock and to eat meat. It is a personal necessity for all people regardless of age and sex among the Tibetan people. Tibetan knives are time-honored traditional handicrafts with peculiar styles. People may focus on knives’ practicality, sharpness, decoration, shape, etc. The most famous Tibetan knives are Lhatse knife and XieTongMen knife in Shigates Region. If you are interested in knives, just buy one.

Tibetan Carpets

As one of the world’s top-3 famous carpets, Tibetan Carpets are traditional handicrafts of the Tibetan people. The carpets are soft, durable and artistic. Besides Tibetan carpets, footcloths and rugs, there are also other handicrafts such as saddle cushions, decorations made from the skulls of large livestock. These handicrafts can be bought from the markets of Tibet.

Tibetan Costume

The Tibetan costume has a very long history. Clothes can reflect people’s ethos, beliefs, history and culture, and also can reflect the geography condition of the living places. There are over 200 kinds of Tibetan costumes, which ranks first among the ethnic groups in China. Most Tibetan costumes are made of animal furs. The representative fabric of Tibetan costume is with loose waist, long sleeves, wide front of a garment, cross collar and loincloth. Tourists are attracted by their mysterious beauty and are inspired to put them on.

Tibetan Masks

The art of Tibetan masks forms an essential element of traditional Tibetan culture. Many years ago, exorcising masks, combined with the totem worshipping among ethnic minority groups in the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and traditional sacrificial rituals, formed a mask culture of extensive contents. Ethnic minorities currently using exorcising masks include the Miao, Tujia, Yao, Zhuang, Dong, Shui, Buyi, etc. They are made of strong and durable materials such as wooden, copper, clay, wax cloth etc. The masks are used in Tibetan drama, Qiang Mu in temples and Tibetan country dances.

Ox Horn Combs

Ox horn combs, which take ox horn as material, are traditional handicrafts. Ox horn is a precious Chinese medicine that can clear away heat and toxic materials, nourish yin and cool blood, lower blood pressure, remove damp, and treat unhealthy urinary systems and remove stones from the body. Ox horn combs are good gifts for friends and relatives because it not only keeps you fit, but also is worthy of collecting. There are many fake ox horn combs in the markets. You should learn how to identify the real ones before you buy it.

Pulu

Tibet Pulu is a kind of woolen fabrics rich in colors and styles, and it has become a daily necessity in the Tibetan lives. It is the main material for making clothes, shoes and caps and can also as the gifts in ceremonies. Pulu is used not only as the main material of Tibetan clothing, shoes and hats, but also as blankets and souvenirs. If you want to buy Pulu, you can find in the markets. There are often many beautiful, elegant Pulu clothes displayed on the open air markets which are always draw the attention of the passersby.

Tibetan Medicine

As one of the most well-preserved and influential national medicines of China, Tibetan medicine has a history of more than 2,000 years. According to the statistics, there are about 3,000 kinds of Tibetan medicine in China. Tibet is the cradle of Tibetan medicine which has formed a unique medicine system.

Thangka

Thangka, which is also known as “Tanka”, is a sort of Tibetan art products. It is a unique art with distinctive features, strong minority flavors and full of life styles. Thangka painting is similar to the scroll-paintings in Han Chinese areas which is divided into two broad categories: one category is painted; another is made of silk or by embroidery. A skilled Thangka -maker needs a month time to complete a piece of Thangka. As every Thangka must under a special Buddhism process, it is a thing really worth for keep.

Tibetan Joss Sticks

Tibetan joss sticks are an essential for Tibetan people worshiping the Buddha, driving out evil spirits and holding religious activities. The smell of the sticks is soft, unique, fragrant and lasting. Tibetan joss stick culture also brought the sticks many fantastic and mysterious legends. If you put the sticks in a closet, they can not only make the clothes smell good but also sterilize clothes and expel worms. Some Tibetan joss sticks that contain special ingredients can even prevent and cure infectious and epidemic diseases.

Tibetan Ornaments

In Tibet, no matter men or women, old persons or young persons, they all like to decorate their selves. Gold and silver ornaments are traditional Tibetan handcrafts. Tibetan ornaments can be generally divided into bangles, finger rings, necklaces and headgears. The ornaments are also the status and identity of a people and as well the fortune. It is very easy to find stores and booths selling Tibetan ornaments. When you are in Tibet and want to buy them, you’d better check the quality carefully and haggle at your endeavor.