Family Guide
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 06:07
Written by Daisy Wakefield

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If gift giving is your love language, then you’re in the right country. From tiny delicate pieces of porcelain china to formidable chunks of antique furniture, China has a never ending supply of things to take home as gifts for family and friends. Shanghai, in particular, overflows with choices for souvenirs that characterizes both old and new China.

Some ideas for gifting:
* Tea is the original Made in China gift. There are eight classes of Chinese tea, but the most enchanting is Chinese flower tea: tea leaves wrapped in a ball that unfurls to reveal a string of flowers when steeped in hot water.

* All of Xintiandi is a gifting paradise -- especially two gift shops in the north block (1/F, No. 17 and Unit 5, No. 25, North Block), which have classy pewter key chains in shapes of traditional Chinese men’s and women’s clothing and even one in the shape of the Xintiandi door arch. They also have cool pencils made from recycled Chinese newspaper.

If gift giving is your love language, then you’re in the right country. From tiny delicate pieces of porcelain china to formidable chunks of antique furniture, China has a never ending supply of things to take home as gifts for family and friends. Shanghai, in particular, overflows with choices for souvenirs that characterizes both old and new China.

Some ideas for gifting:
* Tea is the original Made in China gift. There are eight classes of Chinese tea, but the most enchanting is Chinese flower tea: tea leaves wrapped in a ball that unfurls to reveal a string of flowers when steeped in hot water.

* All of Xintiandi is a gifting paradise -- especially two gift shops in the north block (1/F, No. 17 and Unit 5, No. 25, North Block), which have classy pewter key chains in shapes of traditional Chinese men’s and women’s clothing and even one in the shape of the Xintiandi door arch. They also have cool pencils made from recycled Chinese newspaper.

* A custom made ‘chop’, the signature of Chinese artists and businesses alike. You can get a Chinese character done or something in English.

* The former Xiangyang Market has been dispersed to several different locales, including Hongqiao Pearl City (3721 Hongmei Lu) and the subway station underneath Pudong’s Science and Technology Museum. They are still reliable purveyors of knock-off purses and clothes, but it is probably better not to take massive amounts of such items back to friends and family abroad in case they get confiscated at customs check points.

* Get something made at the South Bund Fabric Market (399 Lujiabang Lu), such as silk scarves or silk pillow covers.

* Yi Ren Gallery, with branches in both Pudong (B13-B14, 633 Biyun Lu) and Puxi (17 Yili Nan Lu, Gubei), carries tiles and mosaics of Chinese scenes, which can be used as pot warmers. Some art works, including peasant paintings, can also be found here.

* Pearls come in all grades and can be purchased as is, or custom-designed for the perfect occasion. Head to the Pearl and Jewelry market (First Asia Jewelry Plaza, 3rd floor, 288 Fuyou Lu) or at Pearl City in Gubei.

* Believe it or not, the electric mosquito zappers available in the Spring and Summer here are a huge hit with guys in the West.

* Scrolls of paintings and Chinese calligraphy can be found at Yuyuan Gardens, as well as smaller prints that can double as greeting cards. All manner of vendors can also be found here, lining the streets outside the Old City.

* Charles’ Jewelry in Pearl City has lovely Asian pieces of jewelry, and silver bookmarks.

* Dongtai Lu Antique Market is full of small Chinese knick knacks and Mao memorabilia, but most of the items are reproductions.

* The alleys running off Taikang Road, between Ruijin Er Lu and Sinan Lu, are home to a number of boutique shops with lovely treasures for someone special. The International Artists Factory (Lane 210) hosts local designers and gift shops, such as Jooi Design and L’Atelier Manderine.

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