What to buy

When shopping in Beijing, keep an eye on objects of art with an oriental or local flavour and cultural artifacts of different dynasties. Beijing is representative of the finest arts and crafts China has to offer, but it is better known for four major varieties: cloisonné, ivory carving, jade ware, and lacquer ware. Objects that are of both aesthetic and practical value include epigraphic seals, traditional stationery, antiques, calligraphy and painting, traditional musical instruments, silks and embroidery, jewelry and precious stones, classical furniture, cashmere sweaters and hand knitted sweater. Folk art hunters are invariably faced with a dazzling array of products which run the gamut from figurines made from dough, clay and brocade to kites, paper cuts and masks modeled after a variety of Peking Opera facial makeup. A cornucopia of merchandises, including famous brands from around the world and articles of daily use, are available in the city's galaxy of malls, specialty shops and supermarkets, whose cozy environments and considerate clerks guarantee a relaxed and satisfying shopping experience for every visitor to Beijing.

Antiques

A good place to find a wide selection of antiques is at Liulichang. Liulichang is a street in Xuanwumen, and many of the stores are quite old. This area has everything from scrolls, to jade articles to decadesold cigarette ad posters. There are definitely treasures to be found here,but it is hard to tell genuine antiques from dirty fakes. Real antiques are supposed to bear a red official seal that proves their authenticity, but sometimes real ones don't have it and fake ones do. The best attitude to have is: if you like it and you can bargain down to a price you can accept, just go for it. Small jade articles and silver trinkets make great presents for people at home and they are easy to take on the plane.

Another large antiques market is the Antiques City at Panjiayuan. This is a multi-story building which is full of antiques and general kitsch. The same rules apply here as in Liulichang: if you like it , get it. Don't worry if it is fake or not. Many of the things are not real antiques, but on the other hand, recently a 50,000-year-old fossil was confiscated from one of the sellers there. The fossil was on sale for about US$150, so you never know.

Beijing Curio City, gathering more than 250 curio shops under one roof, is China's largest trade center for antiques and fold art works. Many of the dealers are themselves connoisseurs and curio collectors. Antiques that date before 1795 are forbidden for sale or export. Those dated between 1796 and 1949* should bear a small red seal and a Certificate for Relics Export from the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau(BCRB), to allow them to be taken out of Chin. The seal also proves the genuineness of the items. A word of caution: keep receipts which should indicate the name and age of the antiques if these items are bought in BCRB designated stores.

Silk

Silk, which has brought fame to Chian, can be readily found in a dazzling array of colors, patterns and textures. While large State-owned stores like the Beijing Yuanlong Silk Corporation, Ltd. Can be trusted for quality and offer ready-made clothes as well as a complete array of fabric, private markets like Xiushui and Yabalu sell all kinds of silk clothing from shirts, underwear and trousers, to pajamas and bedspreads at negotiable brices. Most vendors at the markets are self-employed and speak some English. All the products are marked in Western sizes, but sizes are often deceiving, try on for size. Chinese long gowns are considered the most elegant garment most suitable for women's figures. Silk gowns can be a truly longlasting and useful item to purchase in China for yourself or as gifts for those special people back home.

Cloisonne

Cloisonne(enamel formed in patterns of copper wire) is an art form developed in the 15th century, and now used to decorate vases, bowls, lamps, jewelry and omaments.

Painting &Calligraphy Serolls

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.