If it’s true that China is one of the best countries in the world to travel to, you can bet Chinese souvenirs are something else entirely! And you would be right, keep reading to learn more.
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If we’re talking about culture and history, there’s hardly a country with more variety than China. The Asian Giant is a massive country with over 3,500 years of recorded history! And with such a long history comes many different forms of arts and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, as well as very unique recipes and foods. So you can imagine how overwhelming it can get finding souvenirs in China, since there’s just so much to choose from. To make it a bit more manageable, here’s a list of tips and suggestions specially made for you!
But before you start your shopping spree, if you want to learn more about a specific item or to communicate better with the shoppers, you’ll need a stable internet connection. In a country like China, the language barrier can be really hard to surpass, and you’ll be using the translator’s app a lot. If you don’t want to pay a small fortune in roaming fees or have a slow connection, check out Yoho Mobile eSIMs! Get your first eSIM absolutely free and stay connected from the moment you land!
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How to Buy the Best Souvenirs in China
Strategies you’ll need before you buy
Chinese vendors, especially in markets and small shops, are used to this art, so expect to hear a big price first. We’re talking about 2-4 times the real price!
How to master the art of bargaining:
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Greet politely: Always be polite, even when refusing the exorbitant prices.
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Made a counteroffer: A good guideline is asking for 30-50% of the asking price. The vendor will counter this, and you can meet in the middle.
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Walk away: If the price is still too high for you, just politely walk away. The vendor will probably call you back with a better offer.
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Use local currency and small bills: Some vendors might claim they don’t have change, so you end up paying more for the item.
Where to Buy Souvenirs in China
If you’re looking for authentic items, and not the mass-produced and low-quality ones that are in the more touristic areas, there are a few tips you can follow.
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Ask the locals: You can ask the hotel concierges or your Airbnb host where they would buy quality items.
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Use Chinese Apps: Download one like Baidu Maps and search for specialty gifts or handicrafts. Look at the local reviews more than the tourist reviews.
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Visit Museums or Cultural Centers: These places tend to have curated gift shops, selling high-quality cultural items, replicas, or art.
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Explore Night Markets and Art Streets: You can visit markets like Jinli Street in Chengdu or Nanluoguxiang in Beijing for unique handmade souvenirs.
Iconic Chinese Souvenirs
Silks
China has a very long history of textiles, and the silks, especially, have been a luxury export for hundreds of years. Buying a silk scarf is a nice gift, but if you’re looking for something more complex, here are some ideas.
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Silk Robes: Just imagine it, after you finish your warm bubble bath, stepping into a luxurious and soft silky robe.
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Silk Embroidery: Quite a unique gift, and very decorative. The most famous is the Suzhou embroidery, with its intricate hand-stitches and traditional scenes.
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Silk Fans: If you like functionality and beauty, this is a great souvenir.
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Silk Ties: For all your executive friends, or the ones who want to impress their future bosses in an interview.
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Teas
Chinese people love their tea, and they know a whole lot about it. They’ve been cultivating it for millennia after all, and perfecting the art of brewing it to extract the more delicate flavors. It’s also a great souvenir, not only for the cultural value, but also because it’s lightweight and easy to pack!
Best Chinese teas to buy as souvenirs:
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Longjing (Dragon Well): A very delicate green tea, with a smooth flavor and slight touches of nuts.
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Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess): This oolong tea is incredibly creamy and floral, and is a great introduction to Chinese teas.
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Pu-erh tea (Fermented tea): This is rarer and better suited for serious tea lovers or collectors.
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White Tea: One of the most delicate varieties of tea. It’s subtle and sweet, and if you have a friend who’s really health-conscious, they will be very grateful.
Jade
Jade is one of the most popular souvenirs you can buy in China, and gifting animal figurines, custom-made seals, bangles, or pendants is a great idea. But as popular things go, you can expect to find a lot of fakes. Learning how to distinguish real jade stones and sculptures can be tricky, but here are some simple tests you can do.
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Touch it: Real jade is cool to the touch, especially if it is nephrite or jadeite. Even on hot days, it should be cold and smooth, and warm up slowly in your hand.
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Light Test: Real jade is slightly fibrous or granular, not perfectly uniform. If it’s glassy or overly shiny, it might be fake.
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Sound Test: If you tap to pieces together, it should make a deep, resonant clink. Glass or plastic, on the other hand, sounds dull or high-pitched.
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Terracotta Warriors
You probably know a bit about the Terracotta Army, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries from the last Century. And if you’re traveling to Xi’an to see them, you can get some really nice souvenirs.
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Miniature Terracotta Warrior Figurines: You can buy them in a variety of sizes, from a small figurine that you can keep as a companion on your desk to a full-size statue replica. For authenticity, look for replicas that are made with local clay from the Lintong area.
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Custom-faced Warriors: In some shops, you can get one with your own face! If you have the time for it, it’s a really fun and unique souvenir.
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3D Puzzle or DIY Kits: If you have nieces and nephews, this is a great idea for a present. This way, they can build their very own mini terracotta warrior.
Photo by Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup on Unsplash
Traditional Handicrafts
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Chinese Calligraphy: This is a beautiful and artistic way of writing Chinese characters. It has been perfected over many centuries by famous calligraphers from different Chinese dynasties. Calligraphy pieces are often framed and used as wall decorations. They make meaningful and elegant souvenirs that show a deep cultural heritage.
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Chinese Knots: This traditional craft involves creating intricate knots from red cords. These knots are often used as decorations or good luck charms. They come in various sizes—from small keychains to large hanging ornaments—and are popular for their symbolism of happiness and prosperity.
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Pearls: China is the biggest producer of pearls in the world, so buying pearl jewelry like necklaces and earrings here is much more affordable than in many other countries. If you’re in Shanghai, some of the best places to buy pearls are the AP Xinyang Fashion & Gifts Market and Hongqiao International Pearl City. These markets offer a wide selection of pearls, but it’s a good idea to learn a bit about pearl quality before buying to get the best value.
Chinese food
If you like buying Chinese tea for your loved ones, then you are probably looking for more snacks and extras you can easily pack in your suitcase. And most of these you can find them easily in the supermarkets.
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Dried Fruits: A great opportunity to try some exotic fruits that you’ve never seen before, and you can pack the dry version to snack on later at home.
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Chinese Spices and Sauces: For the chefs who like to experiment. If you want a strong spice, you can try Sichuan peppercorns and five-spice powder. For a classic sauce, you can buy Lao Gan Ma, an incredibly rich chili sauce.
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Mooncakes: A very common gift, especially if you travel during the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can find them in a broad variety of flavors, traditional ones like lotus seed paste and red bean, and modern ones like chocolate or durian.
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Gadgets and Practical Gifts
As much as China is a very traditional country, you’ll find an incredible amount of technology and innovation. Chinese markets are full to the brim of curious gadgets.
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Portable Phone Accessories: A trip to China might be your best chance to get yourself some handy accessories, like power banks, multi-port adapters, and wireless charging pads.
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Smart Devices: If you have a friend who loves movies, they might like a mini projector to see them anywhere. And for your traveler friend, there are smart translation devices(real-time speech/text translators that fit in a pocket) that support real-time multilingual communication.
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Home Mini-Gadgets: They are adorable and surprisingly useful. You can get a mini rice cooker or an egg cooker* to make your lunch more easily, and then put it all in an electric lunch box that will preserve it perfectly warm.
Iconic Beijing Souvenirs from Beijing and Beyond
- Peking Glass Snuff Bottle: a traditional Chinese handicraft with a history of about 200 years. They are popular in China and abroad for their unique workmanship and exquisite artistry.
- Beijing Dough Toys: a traditional Chinese folk handicraft that became popular at the beginning of the 21st century.
- Blue Glaze Cloisonné: a unique traditional handicraft of Beijing. It is a collection of all traditional Chinese handicrafts, as one piece represents copper, porcelain, and traditional painting and sculpture arts.
FAQs About Buying Souvenirs in China
Can I ship them home?
Yes, if you buy a lot of items, or just a really big one that you can’t take with you on the plane, you can use services like China Post for small or medium parcels that aren’t really fragile, and it’s not urgent. For more express delivery and better care with fragile items, you can use other courier services like FedEx, DHL, and UPS.
Can I return something after haggling?
Usually no. For most vendors, once you’ve agreed to the price, the sale is considered final. So, check the item fully before agreeing.
How much space should I leave in my suitcase for souvenirs?
As a general rule, you should leave around 20-30% of the space in your suitcase free. As you could see above, there are a lot of souvenirs to choose from, and you’ll likely end up needing even a bit more. You can also pack a foldable duffel bag or a small expandable suitcase to use on the return.
Is it rude to refuse free samples or tea offers in shops?
As long as you do it politely, no. But make sure you’re being respectful and courteous. You can learn Chinese phrases for “Thank you, no need” or use your body language. Just smile, and step a bit back while you do a gentle wave with your hand.
Are knockoff luxury items illegal to bring home?
Technically, yes, but depending on the country you’re from, it can vary. For most countries is illegal, but some take it more seriously than others. In the U. S., EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan, for example, customs can seize them, as they are illegal even for personal use. But sometimes, if it’s only one or two and it doesn’t look like a perfect copy, it’s overlooked.