What to buy in Beijing Archives

Chinese Yo-yo

With origins that date back to the late Ming dynasty period, the Chinese yoyo (or diablo as it is sometimes referred to) functions in a similar way to its western counterpart. That said, a Chinese yo-yo differs in shape and size. It has a longer axle with cups on either end, and is spun on […]

Preserved fruits

A traditional Beijing specialty is preserved fruit, which originated in the kitchen of the imperial palace. Created as a way to provide the emperor with fruit all year round, fruits were stored in honey. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?! That’s why the preservation process was adopted by the broader population and is still followed to this […]

Peking Opera masks

The dramatic artwork captured on Peking Opera masks can seem almost garish and frightening to the untrained western eye, however, it is in fact, considered a highly skilled art form that takes many years of training to cultivate. While the masks used in performances today are expertly made, you can purchase a less costly version […]

Oil paper umbrellas

In China, an umbrella has long been considered important for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Traditional oil-paper umbrellas are crafted from bamboo and pizhi or mianzhi – types of thin paper that is highly durable. The craft of creating these stunning artworks emerged during the Eastern Han dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD) and endured […]

Beijing embroidered shoes

It seems shoes have always been held in esteem in Beijing’s history, and it’s easy to understand why once you’ve discovered embroidered shoes. Used as a means to accentuate the attractiveness of their feet, wealthy women invested in these beautifully embroidered shoes to wear at weddings, baby showers, birthdays, funerals, and other significant life events. […]

Neiliansheng Shoe Store

Founded in 1853 by Zhao Ting, Neiliansheng Shoe Store was the official manufacturer of shoes worn by government officials. Now, this traditional style of hand-sewn cloth shoe is synonymous with being quintessentially Chinese. Made with more than 40 different tools, according to a process of 90 steps, each pair takes around four to five days […]

Dough figurine

These simple figures are a type of traditional folk art created from dough made of flour and glutinous rice flour, dyes, paraffin and honey. The figures depict well-known Chinese characters from opera, folklore, fairy tales, cartoons, zodiac signs, and other animals. As with many art forms, the dough figures enjoy a history that dates back […]

Tu’er Ye

Usually translated as Rabbit God figurines, Tu’re Ye are figurines that are unique to Beijing and represent a tradition that is practiced during the mid-autumn festival. Families pay their respects to the Rabbit God, that is part man, part rabbit. Praying to the Rabbit God is meant to bring peace and good luck. These figures […]

Jade carving

Throughout Chinese history to today, jade carvings in all shapes and colors are regarded as valuable and steeped in meaning. In the past, jade has been a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, although its popularity as a medium for art is more widely recognized. Jade carvings come in all shapes and sizes, from traditional to […]

Inside painted snuff bottle

China is a land of many curiosities, and you’ll most surely agree once you discover the inside-painted snuff bottle. Incredibly, these bottles, made of glass, crystal or agate, are painted on the inside using a curved brush. Snuff bottles were popular at a time when tobacco was prohibited (during the Qing dynasty). They were used […]