Best Chinese purchase?
Oct 7th, 2006, 07:20 PM
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Best Chinese purchase?
I'm leaving for China at the end of Oct. I'm coming from the US. With soooo many things 'made in China' in my country, what are some 'must have' purchases/souviners that I wouldn't find (at least easily) here at home?
Oct 8th, 2006, 07:49 AM
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I purchased a traditional inkstone (the stone on which the ink is mixed for calligraphy) a number of years ago, a lovely and unique item. I also bought calligraphy brushes, lovely handmade Xixing teapots, Dragon pearl jasmine tea, and small jade carvings.
It seems increasingly difficult to purchase authentic crafts items in much of China. But they are well worth seeking out.
It seems increasingly difficult to purchase authentic crafts items in much of China. But they are well worth seeking out.
Oct 8th, 2006, 03:38 PM
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I purchased teapots at the teahouse in the middle of the artificial lake at the orchid garden in Guangzhou... the best assortment of exquisite pots by a renowned potter (whose name I now forget) I saw anywhere. This was 10+ years ago. I also purchased some lovely pots in Hong Kong a couple of years ago... there is a tea museum in the lovely park next to the Island Shangri-La that had some nice ones; I bought one for my friend who takes care of my darling cat while I'm away at Ying Kee (where I also bought lots of Dragon Pearl Jasmine tea) and I purchased several at the department store on the Kowloon side (whose name currently slips my mind) that were less than half price as they were left from a huge exhibition and sale of Xixing teapots.
Happy shopping!
Happy shopping!
Oct 8th, 2006, 06:17 PM
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Eggshell porcelaine Chinese teacups, jade/intricate chopsticks. You can find these in the US but they are much much cheaper in China - beautiful "pashmina" shawls at about $4 each and turqiose and jade. The Lijiang area with the many hilltribes was where I shopped the last time. They also had clothing made from hemp, shawls, skirts etc.
Oct 9th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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Cotton fabric with small white flowers on dark blue background, 1/10 of the price in the US, had a tailor there make them into seat covers for our living room furniture.
HItraveler: Hangzhou is the tea growing centre of China, lots of teapots, other places are Wuxi and Suzhou.
HItraveler: Hangzhou is the tea growing centre of China, lots of teapots, other places are Wuxi and Suzhou.
Oct 9th, 2006, 03:48 PM
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no, a chop is a carved stone piece that is inked and leaves an inked image on a piece of paper. These can be done with your name in Chinese characters or with a wide variety of "stock" designs.
Oct 9th, 2006, 04:08 PM
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For tea, I have bought high quality green tea and dried flower buds separately, such as jasmine, rose and mums. It's fun mixing the flower buds with the tea, or just the buds themselves, use a heat resistant glass tumbler or tea pot and watch the couple of mum buds unfold in hot water!
