Beijing has a long and rich history. After the emperors’ reigns, there were plenty of antiques left behind. Antiques are the memory of the history. They are the reflection of people’s life at that time. Antiques can be bought at Beijing Curio City, Liulichang and Panjiayuan Market.

China, another word for porcelain, indicates that China has achieved great achievement in porcelain making. There are dinner services, figurines and reproductions of antique vases, teapots and the like.

Cloisonne is a decorative technique for metalwork, especially brass, whereby colored enamel is baked between raised ridges of the metal.

Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China as early as 3,500 B. C. Silk can be made into clothes, handkerchiefs etc. If you want to buy some gifts for your family and friends, the soft smooth silk is definitely the best choice.

Jade is regarded by the Chinese as a stone descended from heaven. They value its hard, cool texture and translucent colors. It is extremely difficult to carve but China’s craftsmen create incredibly intricate ornaments and jewelry from jade.

Painting and callgraphy works are found in hundreds of stores. They vary in age, quality and price with the finest being true works of art. The brushes, ink slabs, ink and paper that were the scholars traditional tools can be found in most antique shops. One of the best sources is the China Book Store, off the courtyard-parking in East Liulichang.

The history of Chinese Tea dates back to several thousand years ago. Chinese people are used to drinking tea after meal. Drinking tea is very good for health. Reseach shows that the composition called Tea Polyphenol is effective on preventing cancer.

Source: chinatour.net