TheMinzu Shangchang (Mongolian Minority Department Store)-- one of the biggest stores in Hohhot -- is a one-stop shopping opportunity on Zhongshan Xi Lu at the Gongyuan Jie intersection. On the first floor are abakeryand a large, well-stockedsupermarketthat's worth a visit if you're shopping for food, travel snacks, or alcohol. The second floor has Mongolian handicrafts, traditional costumes, swords, teapots, jewelry, and more. For travel snacks, you could also visitParksonsupermarket, which has just about anything you could want. Be prepared to check your backpack or let it be sealed in shrink-wrap so you can keep it with you. Store hours are from 9am to 8pm. It's located at Zhongshan Xi Lu 212 at Tongdao Nan Jie.
Skulls for Sale--It's not unusual on warm summer evenings to see someone peddling cow or sheep skulls on the city squares. Their buyers are probably opening a new business soon. A traditional belief is that after you eat a cow or sheep, its spirit is still alive. If you display the skull in a prominent place, the living spirit will attract other cows or sheep your way. The skull continues to be a symbol of good luck and a promise that business will thrive. The first asking price for a cow skull is ¥280 ($35), for a sheep skull, ¥160 ($20).