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The best thing about shopping in Jilin is the wealth of exotic goods that can be
purchased here, although many of these are of a rare variety that are not conservationally
friendly. The people of this region have long been trading in these products, although
recent tourism to the region has done much to speed up this situation. Changchun is good
for natural exotica. For quality wine, Changbai ginseng, sable, pilose antler or frog oil
this is the place to come. For pure tradition, Jilin City, also has a
good selection. The city is best if you are looking to purchase any of the "Three
Treasures of Dongbei", Ginseng,
Marten and Pilose Antler, that the people of this
whole region, former Manchuria, are so proud. Heading to a more inhospitable, and harder
to reach area, Changbaishan
is the best place for those after more specialist goods, since the region contains many of
the ingredients that are a core part of the mystical Chinese medicine. Here you can find
frog oil, Glossy Ganoderma, and the
Three New Treasures of Dongbei. For those after something less controversial to take home, the handicraft industry in
Jilin has also been picking up. Many exquisite articles can be bought in most of the areas
here, but some of the more special artifacts include wood carving, bark painting, straw-woven wares, painted calabash and kirigami (the ancient art of paper
folding practiced by the Manchurian people). The popular Tonghua wine should also be tasted,
since this somewhat unusual flavoured liquid is made from grapes growing in one of the
most northernmost places in the world. For those after something a little more mundane, and perhaps life-saving, there are
large department stores in both Changchun and Jilin City, where you can buy such
essentials as winter clothing and chocolate. |
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