The Minzu 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 a bakery and a large, well-stocked supermarket that'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 visit Spar supermarket in the Victory Plaza shopping center, which has just about anything you could want. Be prepared to check your bag. It's located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Xinhua Dajie and Hinggan 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, for a sheep skull, ¥160.
