They are in fact made of ceramics!

I found this plate of nuts and grain in a local shop.

Look at these delicious walnuts, peanuts, beans and rice, don't you want to have a try?

Stop! They are just lifelike food made of ceramics, so amazing!

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

This is a famous sculpture in 798 Art Zone

Beijing’s 798 Art Zone is now the epicenter of China's contemporary art world. It is often compared with New York's Greenwich Village or SoHo.

This place is famous for the decommissioned military factory buildings that now house wonderful art galleries.

Some public sculptures stand beside the pathways, this is the Chinese Marilyn Monroe waiting for you. She’s wearing an elegant cheongsam!

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

The rattle-drum is very popular in China.

Chinese kids are all familiar with the rattle-drum, one of the oldest and most traditional toys in China.

It is a small double-sided drum with a handle and two wooden balls hanging from a string.

When rolled in your hands, the balls on both sides will beat the drum, sending out a rattling sound.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

"Inside painted"snuff bottles were used to hold powdered tobacco.

Artists use a slender bamboo stick dipped in colored ink to paint on the interior surface of the bottle. Symbols are derived from legends, history, religion, and so on.

It is also an object of beauty and a way to represent status.

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

See this huge snow ball I made!

Heavenly snow covered Beijing on a couple of days ago, so children enjoyed another day of snowball fights and snowman-building.

Even teenagers and young adults were enjoying the snow.

I also like the snow very much, see this huge ball that I made yesterday!

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

This is the Olympic Bird's Nest in the snow

On Nov. 12th, the third snowfall has fallen in Beijing this year. According to the record, it is the heaviest snowfall in the Chinese capital in 54 years.

Tourists flocked to many scenic spots and took pictures of the beautiful snow-covered landscape.

Shown here the Olympic Bird's Nest in the snow.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

Tang Juan Guo is a renowned snack in Beijing

This is one of the renowned local snacks in Beijing-- Tang Juan Guo, or Chinese yam and date rolls.

The main ingredients are yam and jujubes. Full of protein and vitamins, they are good for your body, especially for women.

It’s sweet and delicious!

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

Bing Tang Hulu is a common snack in China.

Bing Tang Hulu a common snack for children, widely available in China. It is part of their childhood.

It could be a primitive but traditional candy that is made of fresh fruit, particularly wild fruit like hawthorn.

Especially during winter, it is common to see hawkers selling these sweet delicacies in the streets of Beijing.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

Mao hou has a long history in China.

Mao hou, or the furry monkey, has a history of several hundred years in China. It is made of cicada shells and magnolia buds.

Look at how these artists stage the little monkeys in a huge set that describes everyday life in old Beijing.

Look at that! They are celebrating a wedding ceremony.

--by Cathryn, your shopping assistant in Beijing

This is a very popular Chinese toy

This is a toy every child in China is very familiar with: "Bu Dao Weng."

In Chinese, “bu dao weng” means something like "grandpa don’t fall."

And this one was painted into a lovely traditional doll. The words on the surface of the doll mean "Live a long life."

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing