Zhonghai Daji Alley: Beijing's Hidden Lane of Time
by Winnie21
Aug 30, 2025
📜 Looking to treat yourself and surprise your friends and family with unique gifts from China? We've put together a list of unusual souvenirs that are sure to be remembered! 📜
1️⃣ Meat Floss (Zhou Song)
This exotic delicacy will make you rethink the concept of "sweetness." Its delicate, airy texture and rich, meaty flavor are truly surprising! In China, meat floss is added to many baked goods—you can find sweet buns, local pancakes, and even pizza or burgers flavored with this delicious treat. Be sure to bring some home and surprise your friends and family!
2️⃣ Matcha 🍵
We often think that matcha comes from Japan. No! Emerald tea powder originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) as a medicine, and was later discovered by the Japanese and used for its flavor. Today, matcha is a global trend, a symbol of a healthy lifestyle and refined taste. This tea is not only beautiful but also beneficial: it contains antioxidants and other valuable substances. Bring home this piece of ancient Chinese tradition—and you can host a real tea ceremony at home!
3️⃣ Mahjong 🎯
If you don't know how to play, you can now find many mini-courses online—it's an incredibly engaging and intellectual game! In China, it's a social ritual that unites generations. The standard set includes 144 tiles with symbols of bamboo, circles, dragons, and winds. Mahjong will give you and your loved ones the opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of traditional China and have a fun time with family or friends. This game develops logic, strategic thinking, and teamwork skills—and simply puts you in a good mood!
4️⃣ Maotai 🥃
An elite spirit from Guizhou Province, made from fermented kaoliang. Maotai is a part of Chinese culture that makes a special souvenir. Its intense aroma with hints of soy sauce and deep flavor will delight connoisseurs of strong drinks. But be careful, the pleasant taste can be deceiving—the drink is very strong.
5️⃣ Vintage Creams from Shanghai 💄
Take a trip back to the 1930s, when Shanghai was called the "Paris of the East"! Shanghai is full of small shops selling vintage cosmetics from that era (the flagship store is on Nanjing Road and many shops in Tianzifang)—moisturizing creams with scents of osmanthus, jasmine, and rose. Vintage creams aren't just skincare, they're also a piece of history you can take home. These creams are often packaged in stylish retro bottles that are a beautiful addition to your vanity. They make a unique gift for history and beauty lovers.
6️⃣ Bakkwa (肉干) 🥩
Bakkwa is a traditional Chinese snack made from sweet and salty dried meat, invented in Fujian Province. Bakkwa has conquered Asia with its unique flavor—it's an incredibly popular snack in Singapore, Malaysia, and many other parts of Asia. One of the most famous brands, Bee Cheng Hiang from Singapore, is now popular and available in many cities across China. This souvenir will allow your loved ones to experience Asian cuisine in a new way and savor its unique flavor.
7️⃣ Chinese Brands 👔
From the legendary Feiyue to the modern Li-Ning, clothing and footwear from Chinese brands will be a vivid reminder of a trip to the Middle Kingdom. While the world chases Western labels, China is creating its own fashion—comfortable, technologically advanced, and steeped in history. Take, for example, the Feiyue ("Flying Forward") sneakers, worn by Shaolin monks for training since the 1920s. Their secret lies in a flexible rice rubber sole and a breathable upper that allows for unrestricted movement. Today, Feiyue, along with Li-Ning and Anta, is experiencing a renaissance, becoming a symbol of the "new Chinese style": simple, yet with a hint of heritage—embroidered characters or dragon scale prints.
8️⃣ Incense and Censers 🔮
Create an oriental atmosphere in your home with incense and elegant incense burners. They will not only fill the space with a pleasant aroma but also become a stylish interior element. Chinese incense made from sandalwood, agarwood, or cinnamon has accompanied rituals since the Zhou Dynasty. Their smoke, swirling into intricate patterns, purifies the space and the mind.
9️⃣ Jianzhi Paper Cuttings 🖼️
The art of jianzhi, which originated 1,500 years ago, transforms ordinary paper into delicate symbols. Red patterns of phoenixes, carp, and peonies are hand-cut with scissors or chisels for holidays—to attract good luck, love, or wealth. This art is mesmerizing in its precision and beauty. Jianzhi cuttings are a unique souvenir that will highlight your awareness of Chinese culture. These cuttings can be used as interior decoration or as the basis for creating unique cards and gifts. They are true works of art, created with scissors and paper.
🔟 Jade and Jade Products 💎
In China, jade is a symbol of wisdom and immortality. Jade products can be not only beautiful jewelry but also a unique talisman. You can choose from:
- peizhi (carved pendants) with dragons or lotuses – elegant jewelry that will highlight your individuality;
- jade or jadeite bracelets – not only look stylish but are also believed by many to possess special properties;
- gold filigree rings – luxurious jewelry that will be the pride of any collection.
Jade (with a soft, waxy luster) is mined in Xinjiang, while jadeite (hard, emerald-colored) is rarer and more expensive.
#SouvenirsFromChina #ChineseSouvenirs #TravelToChina #WhatToBringFromChina #UniqueSouvenirs
Post by LocalGuides_RU | Oct 27, 2025























