What you you bring home from China/
 

I will be in Beijing for a week in August. What do you think are good things to bring back as presents?

How much do you want to spend? Who are the presents for? This is a bit of a broad question!

Just remember that in China most things aren't what they tell you they are. Even in expensive hotel shops you will be lied to. I say this admiring my not- jade- but- concrete son of dragon sculpture...

I bring back tea and Yixing tea pots. I find the carved name stamps to be fine gifts. I've also brought home calligraphy brushes as gifts and carved inkstones. And, as Marija reminds us, I never believe that the charming small carving is "jade" or "Han dynasty."

We brought some calligraphy brushes and stamps as gifts. However, my wife's prize was two ceramic Fudogs (lions) that we got at the dirt market in Beijing.

Thanks to you all. The teapots sound great. What are the carved inkstones, Kathie?
Which is the dirt market. Gpanda?
I will be looking for presents for girls of 8 and 3 as well.

The dirt market is also known as Panjiayuan market. It is also near the pearl market. It is in the southeast corner of the Third Ring Road, just east of Longtan Park. I'm not sure, but it may7 only be open on the weekend. If you google it, there's lots of information. Ekscrunchy's trip report led us to go there.

Inkstones are the stones one prepares ink on for calligraphy. In some places, you'll find finely carved inkstone with dragons, or flowers, etc along the borders.

There are darling childrens clothes available. I remember buying little silk slippers for my neices when they were young as well as traditonal Chinese children's outfits.