If there is a place that can satisfy the shoppers' appetite most, it must be China. Abounding with various unusual and characteristic goods, China will never make you disappointed or worried about what to bring back.
Distinctive things are mainly sold in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and especially Hong Kong, the city which is reputed world wide as a 'Shopping Paradise'. It is the shopping destination that tourists most long to visit. Different Chinese cities have different local specialities: Beijing is noted for cloisonne enamel and fresh water pearls; Shanghai is renowned for jade; Xian is celebrated for antiques and rugs, while Guilin is famous for scroll paintings and bijouterie. Particularly, Suzhou and Hangzhou are well known for silk and tea. All will provide plenty of ideas for fulfilling your shopping trip.
Don't buy everything in the first day or two. Each city has its own specialty. Some of the best buys are:
Beijing: Cloisonné; Fresh water pearls
Xi'an: Replicas of the Terra Cotta soldiers; Tangsancai ( Tang Dynasty hand painted China); Paper Cutting
Shanghai: Gu Embroidery
Hangzhou:Silk
Guilin: Guihua Cha (Sweet Osmanthus Flower Tea);Nan Tang (Southern Candy)
Yunnan: Dai Brocade;Dai Bamboo Craftwork
Tibet: Thang-ka（tanka);The Tibetan blanket