Can anyone recommend where to go to find painted snuff bottles? I will be in Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

My mother collects those, and years ago she used to buy them in the Friendship Store in Beijing, where they would paint your name inside the bottle in characters too, but that store no longer exists, but I believe you will still find them for sale in all the places you mentioned. (And you can probably still have your name painted in as well, you may find these for sale along access points to the Great Wall if memory serves.)

In Hong Kong, I will check my Suzy Gershmann book at home (“Born to Shop, Hong Kong”) as see if she has suggestions, but off the top of my head, I would suggest you try the following (they may also be called perfume bottles):

1. Chinese Arts and Crafts Department Store
Star House, 3 Salisbury Rd. (Tsimshatsui)
(at the Star Ferry Pier)

They have some other locations, website for all stores: http://www.chineseartsandcrafts.com.hk (click on “E” for English). This is a fixed-price shop with just a myriad of goods on offer. Good quality. The Salisbury Road shop ahs the largest selection and I would go there if at all possible.

2. Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium
301-309 Nathan Road
Kowloon (at the Jordan MTR, Door A)
Tel: 3511 2222
http://www.yuehwa.com/yh/english/hkallstore/p2_2k4.html

Hip Shing Hong Centre
55 Des Voeux Road
Central, H.K.
Tel: 2522 2333
Opening Hour :10:30a.m.-8:00 p.m.

This is a slightly down-market version of Chinese Arts and Crafts, they have a lot more clothing and other stuff which a typical department store has. However, their arts and craft department, while smaller, has some interesting stuff, and may have the bottles.

3. Hong Kong Museum of Art Museum Shop
First Floor
10 Salisbury Road
Kowloon Hong Kong
Tel: 2180-9871

This is a great museum store with all kinds of books and artwork. I am not sure they have the bottles, but as it is right along the Esplanade walk which you will most likely be doing at some point, it is easy to pop in and have a look.

I would also suggest you try the Jade Market in Kowloon which has lots of souvenir stuff (most of the jade is fake but still makes nice gifts), and shops in Stanley Market may also carry the bottles, as may the various night markets in Kowloon. For antique bottles, try the antique shops along Hollywood Road in Central, and also the street stalls in the Cat Street/Ladder Street area around the Man Mo Temple toward the end of Hollywood Road.

You may also want to ask your hotels if they have suggestions.

I've just returned from Beijing and I also collect inside painted snuff bottles, I bought some terrific ones at the Sunday Market in Beijing, can't remember the name of the market but i think it is only open on a Saturday and Sunday, it's a fabulous market, you need to bargain, they will start off at 200RMB i got some great ones for 80/90 RMB.

Go to the Yuyuan Market in Shanghai, make sure they are inside painted.

Thanks for the suggestions! We started planning this trip almost a year ago and now leave in just 10 days. I can't wait!

Reports of the death of the Beijing Friendship Store are exaggerated.

The 'Sunday market' is probably Pan Jia Yuan, which, while busier at weekends will have snuff bottles all week.

These are a standard item at any high-traffic tourist destination especially of real or wannabe antiquity, so equally available at Liulichang, Yaxiu, and other assorted tourist markets.

Peter N-H