China is a treasure house of arts and crafts which are an important part of the Nation's cultural inheritance. Products such as carving, embroidery, pottery and porcelain, glassware and dyeing, replicas of ancient cultural relics are all exquisitely crafted. Other well-known crafts are weaving, printing and dyeing. Cloisonne is a special traditional handicraft of Beijing while Jiangxi Jingdezhen ware is a representative of China's fine porcelain. China's handmade carpets are much sought after in international markets. Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichuan embroidery are four of China's best-known embroideries. Some of the regional art and craft specialties include the wood carving of Dongyang and the bamboo products of Shengxian from Zhejiang Province, the clay figurine of Master Zhang from Tianjin, the grass and wickerwork from Shandong Province, the three color-glaze Tang ware of Luoyang from Henan Province, the batik from Guizhou Province and the Huishan clay figurine of Wuxi from Jiangsu Province. Also well-know are the four treasures of study of Xuan paper and ink stick from Anhui Province, Duan ink slab from Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, and Shanlianhu writing brush from Wuxing, Zhejiang Province. There are many other famous handicrafts, such as folk paper cuts created by women farmers. 

Antiques

DO NOT BUY any antiques. Chinese has been reproducing 'antiques' for thousands of years.

Silk

Chinese silk is famous in the world for its magnificent quality, color and variety. Representative samples are brocade from Hangzhou, Sichuan brocade from Chengdu, the fine, tough silk and pure silk crepe from Suzhou and tussah silk from Dandong. 

Tea

China is the home of tea. Tea is divided into green, black, perfumed, white and Wulong tea. Longjing (green tea) and Biluochun (green tea), are famous throughout the world.

Liquors and Wines

Since ancient times, China's spirits and wines have developed in their unique way and have won many international awards. Famous liquors include Maotai from Guizhou, Fen and Zhuyeqing from Shanxi, Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhou Laojiao from Sichuan, Gujing tribute liquor from Anhui, Yanghe Daqu from Jiangsu and Dong Liquor from Guizhou. Fruit wines include gold medal brandy, red grape wine and Weimeisi from Yantai, China red grape wine from Beijing, Shacheng white grape wine form Hebei, Minquan white grape wine from Henan. Yellow rice wines include rice wine from Shaoxing, sinking-in-jar wine from Longyan and sealed jar wine from Danyang. Yanjing and Qingdao are two famous brands of the many varieties of fine beers available in China. 

Traditional Chinese medicine

The body of knowledge that makes up traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been accumulated over thousands of years. It is a school of its own. Numerous herbal and other drugs are being used for their high curative efficacy, and those with a high tonic value are favorites with the Chinese.

China's markets are becoming more prosperous. The following items on your shopping list:

1) Antiques, paintings and calligraphy
2) Silk
3) Handicrafts including Cloisonne, jade, porcelain, etc.
4) Fresh water pearls
5) Chinese medicines
6) Souvenirs

Tips for Shopping in China

China is undergoing a transition from a planned to a market economy. Commodities are priced in one of the following three ways. First, fixed prices by the state; second, regulatory prices by the state; and third, market prices. Most of the tourist merchandises fall under the third category of market prices. Therefore, you may pay visit to several shops to get the best price.

Like other countries, China is plagued by shoddy and counterfeited products, especially on street stands. Tourists are advised to make informed choices and shop accompanied by local guides. Also, big department stores and tourist stores designated by the government tend to have better credibility. Also, always ask for a receipt.

Buying Chinese antiques

Chinese antiques consist of the following six categories: Porcelain; Calligraphy and paintings; books; jewelry; curios; and furniture.

The first thing to consider is whether the antiques are allowed out of China. According to Chinese laws, only antiques dated after 1797 (during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing dynasty) can be traded and taken out of China. Antiquities to be taken out of China must bear a wax seal certified and be stamped by the National Administration for the Preservation of Cultural Relics, or secure a license for exit. The Administration has officers stationed at various department stores and antique markets to help shoppers verify their purchases.

Credit cards

Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in China. These include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club, Million Card, Federal Card and the JCB card of Japan.

Duty-free shops

Duty-free commodities, because of their competitive prices, have been in existence for a long time in other countries. China started to deal in such goods in March 1980. Now duty-free shops are almost everywhere-airports, ports, train stations, border posts, and tourist cities. All the chain stores are managed by the China Duty-Free Stores Co. The company has trade links with major duty-free exporters around the world.

Foreign exchange in US dollars, Japanese Yen and Hong Kong dollars are accepted at duty-free shops. There are money exchange shops in each store.

The duty-free shops in China sell famous-brand cigarettes, wines, perfumes, cosmetics, pens, watches, candies, food, daily necessities and electronics. Almost all brands can be found, and prices are cheaper than in most Western countries.