Don't Know What to Buy in Beijing?

A Curated Checklist of Beijing Souvenirs

I. Traditional Handicrafts & Fine Art

1. Cloisonné (Jingtailan / 景泰蓝)

• What to look for: Vibrant, smooth colors with clearly defined wire outlines. The back should be well-finished.
• Top Picks: Avoid large, heavy vases. Instead, opt for **small jewelry boxes, delicate vases (under 20cm), decorative ornaments, or earrings and pendants**. These are beautiful, manageable to carry, and often more affordable.
• Where to Buy Authentic Cloisonné:
  • Beijing Gongmei (Arts & Crafts) Building (王府井工美大厦): A reputable state-owned store on Wangfujing Street. Fixed prices, guaranteed quality. Perfect for hassle-free shopping.
  • Beijing Enamel Factory (珐琅厂): Go straight to the source in the south of the city. You can sometimes watch artisans at work and purchase directly from their showroom.
  • Liulichang Cultural Street (琉璃厂文化街): This street is known for traditional art supplies and antiques; several shops sell high-quality Cloisonné.

2. Peking Opera Mask Souvenirs

• What to look for: Well-painted details that reflect the character's personality (e.g., red for loyalty, black for fierceness).
• Top Picks:
  • Ceramic or Wooden Mask Ornaments: Small enough for a wall hanging or desk display.
  • Bookmarks: Elegant metal or lacquer bookmarks incorporating mask designs.
  • Keychains: A small, lightweight, and practical option.
• Where to Buy: Souvenir shops near Liulichang and the Gongmei Building. Also found in tourist areas like Dashilan.

3. Chinese Knots & Paper-Cutting (Zhongguojie & Jianzhi / 中国结 & 剪纸)

• What to look for: Tight, complex knots for Chinese knots. Fine, delicate cuts and high-quality paper for paper-cuttings.
• Top Picks: A medium-sized Chinese knot wall hanging. For paper-cuttings, choose ones professionally mounted under glass or in a frame, featuring themes like the Chinese character "福" (Fu for blessing), zodiac animals, or silhouettes of Beijing architecture like the Temple of Heaven.
• Where to Buy: Temple fairs (if timing aligns), **Liulichang**, and **souvenir shops in hutongs**.

II. Practical Daily Items with Cultural Flair

1. Silk Products

• What to look for: 100% pure silk (look for labels saying "real silk" or "chou" in Chinese). Feel the texture—it should be smooth and slightly heavy.
• Top Picks:
  • Scarves: The perfect souvenir. Look for square scarves printed with traditional motifs: flowers, birds, Chinese水墨画 (ink wash paintings), or patterns inspired by the Forbidden City.
  • Sleepwear/Eye Mask: For a touch of luxury, high-quality silk pajamas or an eye mask are incredible.
• Where to Buy:
  • Ruifuxiang (瑞蚨祥): A famous old-brand (laozihao) silk store with a history dating back to 1862. Located on Dashilan Street. Guaranteed quality at fixed prices.
  • Silk Market (Xiushui Market / 秀水市场): A famous but intense shopping experience. You must bargain aggressively (start at 30-40% of the initial asking price). Be aware of mixed quality.

2. Scholar's Four Treasures & Chinese Stationery

• What to look for: Well-made brushes, smooth inkstones, and elegant design.
• Top Picks:
  • Travel Calligraphy Set: A small set with a mini-brush, inkstick, and paper.
  • Name Chop (Seal): Have a stone seal carved with your name (in English letters or translated into Chinese characters). A unique and personal souvenir.
  • Notebooks: Gorgeous notebooks with covers featuring traditional patterns or designs from the Palace Museum's cultural创意 (creativity) line.
• Where to Buy: Liulichang Cultural Street is the epicenter for all things related to traditional stationery.

3. Tea Sets

• What to look for: **Durability for travel**. Look for modern designs made from high-quality porcelain or ceramic that are less fragile. Many modern sets are designed for travel with protective casing.
• Top Picks: A compact travel tea set that incorporates traditional elements like blue and white porcelain (青花瓷, Qinghuaci) patterns. A set for two is ideal.
• Where to Buy: Specialty tea shops (like Wuyutai or Zhang Yiyuan), department stores, and the Gongmei Building.

III. Food & Drink

1. Beijing Specialty Pastries

• What to look for: Check expiration dates! Look for well-sealed, hygienic packaging.
• Top Picks:
  • Daoxiangcun's "Beijing Eight Delicacies" (京八件) Gift Box: A classic assortment of eight different traditional pastries. A beautiful and iconic gift.
  • Lüdagun (驴打滚, "Donkey Rolling on the Dust"): Glutinous rice rolls with red bean paste, covered in soybean flour. Buy individual sealed packs.
  • Fuling Jiabing (茯苓夹饼): Thin, delicate wafer-like cookies with a sweet filling. Light and easy to pack.
• Where to Buy: Daoxiangcun (稻香村) old-brand shops are everywhere. Ensure you go to a legitimate store (look for the three-character Chinese name).

2. Premium Tea

• What to look for: Beautifully packaged tins or gift boxes. Small individual cans are great for trying different types.
• Top Brands & Picks:
  • Wuyutai (吴裕泰) or Zhang Yiyuan (张一元): Both are century-old, reputable Beijing brands.
  • Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶, Molihua Cha): The most iconic Beijing tea, known for its incredibly fragrant scent.
  • Other Famous Teas: Longjing (Dragon Well) Green Tea, Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) Oolong Tea.
• Where to Buy: Flagship stores of Wuyutai or Zhang Yiyuan, located on major shopping streets like Wangfujing and Dashilan.

IV. Fashion & Cultural Creative Products

1. Palace Museum Cultural Creative Products (故宫文创)

• What to look for: Innovative designs that cleverly reinterpret imperial artifacts.
• Top Picks:
  • Phoenix Crown Magnet: A detailed fridge magnet replica of an empress's magnificent phoenix crown. An absolute bestseller.
  • Butterfly Scented Cream: Housed in a exquisite replica of a Qing-dynasty butterfly box. The butterfly is a symbol of happiness and good fortune.
  • Twelve Flower Goddesses Pocket Mirror: A beautifully designed compact mirror where each flower represents a month and a specific virtue or blessing.
• Where to Buy: The故宫文创 (Palace Museum Cultural Creative) shops inside the Forbidden City itself (multiple locations). Also, the dedicated "故宫文创馆 (Palace Museum Cultural Creation Hall)" near Wangfujing.

2. Modern Apparel with Chinese Designs

• What to look for: Good quality cotton, clean prints, and designs that are stylish, not kitschy.
• Top Picks: High-quality T-shirts or hoodies featuring elegant prints of Chinese characters like "北京" (Beijing) or "福" (fortune), or minimalistic calligraphy strokes.
• Where to Buy: Concept stores in shopping malls like Sanlitun Taikoo Li, Wangfujing APM, and some Palace Museum文创 shops.

Essential Tips for Beijing Souvenirs Shopping

• Bargaining: Expected at markets like the Silk Market (Xiushui) or Panjiayuan Antique Market. Not acceptable in department stores, laozihao shops, or museum stores. Always negotiate politely with a smile.
• Cash vs. Card: While Alipay/WeChat Pay are king, having some cash (RMB) is useful for smaller vendors and markets. International cards are accepted in larger stores and malls.
• Authenticity: For high-value items like Cloisonné or jade, buy from reputable stores (Gongmei, Ruifuxiang, etc.) to avoid fakes. Receipts are your proof of purchase.
• Packaging: Many stores offer beautiful gift packaging, sometimes for a small fee. It's worth it for special gifts.
• Transport: Keep fragile items like Cloisonné or tea sets in your carry-on luggage. Pack them wrapped in clothing for padding.

Recommended Itineraries: Combining Sightseeing withShopping

Route 1: The Traditionalist's Day

• Morning: Explore the Forbidden City. Immerse yourself in imperial history.
• Afternoon: Shop at the Palace Museum文创 shops inside for your trendy souvenirs. Afterwards, walk east to Wangfujing Street. Visit the Gongmei Building for Cloisonné, snuff bottles, and high-quality crafts.
• Evening: Stroll down Wangfujing Snack Street (for the experience, not necessarily the food) and explore the main pedestrian mall.

Route 2: The Culture Connoisseur's Day

• Morning: Dive into the artistic heart of Beijing at Liulichang Cultural Street. Browse traditional stationery shops, snuff bottle artisans, and antique stores.
• Afternoon: Head south to Dashilan Street. Shop for silk at the historic Ruifuxiang and buy tea at Zhang Yiyuan or Wuyutai flagship stores. Explore the lively hutongs nearby.
• Evening: Catch a Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre to see the magnificent Lianpu masks come to life.

Route 3: The Modern Explorer's Day

• Morning: Visit the Temple of Heaven, where locals practice Tai Chi and other traditions.
• Afternoon: Experience contemporary Beijing in Sanlitun. Shop for modern Chinese designer apparel and unique concept stores.
• Evening: Enjoy the nightlife and dining options in the Sanlitun area.

Further Reading about Beijing Shopping