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TREASURES OF AN ANCIENT LAND What’s your idea of the quintessential souvenir? For many guests traveling on Uniworld’s cruise/tours in China, the ideal souvenir is unique in some way, inspires fond memories and isn’t readily available back home. We’ve also noticed that the mementos people cherish most tend to be handcrafted items, particularly ones they’ve chance to observe during the creative process. Below are eight of our favorites.
TEA
PORCELAIN
CALLIGRAPHY
JADE
Drinking tea has a long history in China and it comes in a staggering number of varieties. Guests on our "Grand China & the Yangtze" itinerary have an opportunity to visit a 400-year-old tea plantation, where workers still harvest and sort leaves the old-fashioned way—entirely by hand.
Porcelain was one of China’s earliest handicrafts introduced to the West via the fabled Silk Road. Today it can be found almost everywhere, from colorful local street markets to high-end art galleries and antique shops.
Calligraphy is a highly respected Chinese art form that makes great souvenirs— you can even get your own name printed in Chinese characters. At the Shanghai Museum—visited on all four of our China itineraries, including the 12-day "Treasures of China & the Yangtze"—you can see a fine collection of calligraphy (the museum’s gift shop is excellent, too).
Jade has symbolized beauty, power and immortality in Chinese culture for 4,000 years, and you’ll find ample opportunities to purchase jewelry and other mementos made of jade on all four Uniworld journeys in the Middle Kingdom, including the 11-day "Highlights of China & the Yangtze".
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