Yak Butter Sculptures (Suyouhua) 酥油花
Caterpillar Fungus Wine (Chongcao Jiu) 虫草酒
Huangzhong Colored Stones (Huangzhong Kunlun Caishi) 湟中昆仑彩石
Grassland Caladium (Caodi Qingbeimu) 草地青贝母
Xining Rhubarb (Xining Dahuang) 西宁大黄
Sapodilla Fruit (Renshenguo) 人参果
Carpets (Ditan) 地毯
Woven from fine Qinghai wool and naturally colored with mineral and vegetable dyes, Qinghai carpets are durable and will last for years. Qinghai carpets are characterized by an unusual elastic quality. Most carpets are patterned with traditional designs.
Yak Butter Sculptures (Suyouhua) 酥油花
One of the more interesting local products made in Qinghai are the delicate yak butter sculptures. These often very intricately detailed items are not really practical for bringing home, or transporting anywhere, for that matter, but they are not a sight to be missed, as it is unlikely that you will see them anywhere else. They are usually made during the cold winter months, and if undisturbed, can last for years. The best sculptures are kept in temples and monasteries, and depict a variety of themes from local landscapes and animals to Buddhas and architectural models.
Caterpillar Fungus Wine (Chongcao Jiu) 虫草酒
This wine is meant to help people to acclimatize to the high altitude of the Qinghai and surrounding mountain regions. This liquor is made with caterpillar fungus, knotweed and a number of other TCM ingredients.
Pilose Antler (Lurong) 鹿茸
The hairy antler from the spotted deer that lives in the Changbai Mountains is a popular and sought-after TCM product. For centuries, medicines and tonics made with this product have been regarded as the ‘Chinese Viagra’.
Huangzhong Colored Stones (Huangzhong Kunlun Caishi) 湟中昆仑彩石
These colored stones are made into a variety of interesting products, from name chops to carved ornaments. It is translucent, and comes in a range of colors, including, brown, white, orange, purple and clear.
Tibetan Knives (Zangdao) 藏刀
These traditional knives are used by the people that live in the Himalayas, and are a daily necessity. They are often hand forged, and made with a horn, bone or carved wooden handle. Sturdy and traditional, these knives come in styles from utilitarian to extremely elaborate and decorative.
Silverware (Yinqi) 银器
There are four main kinds of silverware produced in Qinghai, jewelry, household articles like bowls and cups, decorative ornaments and religious paraphernalia. The silver is local, from Qinghai and Tibet, and the best examples are made and decorated by hand. The decoration on these products is usually traditional patterns and designs from Tibet and Qinghai, and a huge variety is available.
Grassland Caladium (Caodi Qingbeimu) 草地青贝母
Harvested from July to September, this plateau herb is used in TCM applications. It is believed to relieve coughs, diminish phlegm and treat lung disease and breast and lung pain.
Xining Rhubarb (Xining Dahuang) 西宁大黄
In China, rhubarb is considered a medicine (rather than a pie filling…) and the best rhubarb used in TCM comes from Qinghai. It is used in TCM to reduce blood pressure, detoxify and treat hemostasis.
Musk (Aoxiang) 麝香
The most expensive perfumes in the world are made using natural musk (as opposed to its synthetic cousin) as a fixative, and much of the world’s supply is sourced from bucks on the Tibet Qinghai plateau.
Qingke Wine (Qingkejiu) 青稞酒
Qingke or Tibetan barley wine is brewed from fermented barley grown on the highland, and is often produced in the home. This allows for a variety of different flavors and alcohol contents to develop. Qingke wine is famous all over China, and examples of have even won gold medals in Paris.
Sapodilla Fruit (Renshenguo) 人参果
This fruit has a sugar content of around 60 percent, and is a commonly used ingredient in TCM. It is rich in protein, nutrients and fat, and is used to make sugar, liquor and other foods. It is often cooked in butter to receive guests in the home.
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