Famous Local Featured Souvenir to Buy in Beijing

Most visitors get used to buy something which they travel to each city, in memory of their trip or as souvenirs to give to their families or friends. Each city has its own specialty. Then what are famous local specialties to buy in Beijing? Here TopChinaTravel would offer some useful info about shopping in Beijing.

Cloisonné

Cloisonné is a kind of famous special traditional handicraft of Beijing. The history of it can trace back to the Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China. For the cloisonnés made in Jingtai Era in Ming Dynasty is the most exquisite and cloisonnés is usually in Blue, so get its names as Blue cloisonnés. The decoration is formed by first adding compartments to the metal object by soldering or adhering silver or gold wires or thin strips placed on their edges. The main raw material of production of cloisonne is purple copper or enamel. It has been regarded as national gift to state guests now. 

Cloisonné

Where to Buy Cloisonné

• Enamel Factory
Address: 10 Anlelin Road, Chongwen District, Beijing.
How to get: Take Bus 7, 803, 610, and get off at Liulijing Stop, or take Yuntong Bus 202 or Bus 986, and get off at Anlelin Stop.

• Xiushui Street
Address: Xiushui Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
How to get there: visitors can take Metro Line 1 and get off at Yong'anli Stop. 
 
Fresh Water Pearls

Fresh water pearls is another famous specialties as souvenirs and gifts for visitors. The difference between fresh water pearls and sea water pearls is that the former ones are non-nucleated pearls while the latter ones are nucleated. China is the main producer of fresh water pearls, whose productions accounted for 95% of the world. And Freshwater pearl is the best raw materials of pearl powder for the beauty. One can find fresh water pearls in great quality in Beijing. Most peoples like pearls jewelry. If you are interested, you can buy the pearls in Beijing as gifts or souvenirs. Pearls in Beijing are quite cheap.

Fresh Water Pearls

Where to Buy Fresh Water Pearls

Hongqiao Market (Address: Tiantan East Road, Chongwen District, Beijing) is a well-known pearl market in Beijing. Here you can buy cheap pearl. But you should learn to how to bargain here.

Snuff Bottles

Snuff Bottles is more used as a kind of art ware in China, instead of it practical use by the Chinese during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. It is a small container in ancient China to contain snuff, which is a remedy for common illnesses such as headaches, colds, and stomach disorders. It was firstly brought in China from Europe but developed to have its own character with decoration, decoration, materials and size. Snuff Bottles are made out of many different materials including tortoiseshell, jade, ivory, porcelain, wood, ceramic and metal. While the most commonly used material is glass, for it is easily got and cheaper. Snuff Bottles with inside painted is the most interesting ones. The makers make classical Chinese paintings, like bamboos and calligraphy painted on the inside surface of the glass Snuff Bottles.

Snuff Bottles

Where to Buy Snuff Bottles 

• Panjiayuan Antique Market
Add: west of Panjiayuan Bridge and south of the East Third Ring Road
How to get: taxi is the most convenient way and you do not have to do the transfer.

• Liulichang Street
Add: South of Hepingmen, Xuanwu District
How to get: take Bus 7, 14, 15, 45, 66 and get off at Liulichang Stop, or take Bus 102, 105, 603, and get off at Hufang Bridge, or take Metro Line 2 and get off at Hepingmen Station.