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YOU have to buy that jade vase and the Oriental fan. You cannot miss out on a qipao too. Oh and that ceramic bowl with dragons – it would look impressive on your antique desk. Wait a minute, what’s that bright shiny object shaped like a panda? You need it in your life…
Tea
Pu-erh tea is aged and shaped into bricks and cakes, and make for unique gifts. Pic: Ignat Gorazd/flickr
Tea should be on top of your to-buy list because China produces some of the best teas around the world with a vast variety to choose from.
If you are spoilt for choice, first know what you are looking for whether it’s black, green, or herbal teas. Pu-erh and oolong teas are generally good choices, the former being fermented tea compressed into cakes and bricks. A block of that packaged in a nice box or tin is an immediate level up from keychains.
As most Chinese tea stores often sell the same tea in different grades, you would need to know how to pick good quality ones. An easy tip is to go for those with whole leaves that are still intact and look fresh. You can also give it a “smell” test – any “off” smells are usually an indication of low-quality tea.
Chinese calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy is great to hang on your wall. Pic: bingguo pang/flickr
A timeless memento, you can find calligraphy art painted on many different things in China – from scrolls and paintings to pottery ware, fans and other decorative items.
You can also choose from many different styles, for example seal script, cursive script, running script, official script or formal script.
In fact, why not have your name painted in Chinese calligraphy? As you might have gathered from an anthology of celebrity tattoos, even Western names can be translated into Chinese characters.
Silk
Silk qipaos or cheongsams are great to pack home. Pic: Mity/flickr
Despite the fact that China was part of the ancient Silk Road centuries ago, it’s still revered today as one of the best destinations in the world to acquire the finest silk.
While the quality of silk varies greatly from one Chinese city to another, there are still authentic ones that are handmade from silk artists who handpick the finest silk right from silkwork cocoons.
You can find a huge variety of silk products such as qipao, shawls, bed sheets, and quilts. If you are in Beijing, some of the best places to buy Chinese silk include the Beijing Silk Street, the Hongqiao Market, and Liulichang Street.
Cloisonne
Cloisonné is an ancient art form where home wares are decorated with filigree and enamel. Pic: sadaqah/flickr
If you have never heard of cloisonné (or Jing Tai Lan), you will at China’s many arts and crafts markets.
Chinese cloisonné, or enamelware is an ancient art form where home wares are decorated with filigree and enamel. It employs the techniques of making bronze and porcelain ware, as well as traditional paintings and sculptures.
Available on vases, snuff bottles, incense burners and chopsticks to larger items like folding screens, tables and chairs, cloisonné ware is truly striking with its vibrant colors (bright blue is usually the dominant color) and intricate drawings.
Four Treasures of the Study
A set usually comprises of an ink slab (usually made of handpicked stone), an ink stick, a brush, and paper. Pic: Art Virtue
Traditional Chinese stationery may seem odd as souvenirs buy but many visitors find that they make excellent (and unique) gifts.
A set of the Four Treasures of the Study generally comprises of an ink slab (usually made of handpicked stone), an ink stick, a brush, and paper.
The quality of sets are determined by the types of ink slabs used – the higher the range, the more exquisite the stone. Duanzhou in Guangdong, Shexian County in Anhui, Shandong and Lintaohe in Gansu are among the popular production centers of ink slabs.
Source: travelwireasia.com