Nanyang's main shopping attraction is jade. The city is China's centre for Dushan jade carving, and the markets around the railway station and along Yujie offer everything from rough stones to finished carvings. Prices are significantly lower than in major cities, and the workshops allow you to see the carving process. The September Jade Festival draws additional vendors from across China and is the best time for serious collectors.
Beyond jade, the city's traditional medicine tradition supports a number of pharmacies selling herbal preparations associated with Zhang Zhongjing's formulas — an unusual souvenir for anyone interested in Chinese medical history.