"Golden Foal" is a typical old Beijing toy

This is a typical item found in Beijing, the "Golden Foal."

Look at the golden ingot on the back. In old Beijing, it was a symbol of richness, so every year the local people would invite the foal to their home, wishing they would become rich in the future.

This art is on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritages of Beijing. People also call this craft a "living fossil."

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

They are made of newspaper

I found these colorful pencils in a small shop in Beijing, and I was immediately attracted by their interesting designs. 

The shop owner told me that they are made of aged newspaper! 

What a wonderful utilization of old materials.

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

The Door God can chase away evil spirits.

The art of Chinese woodblock painting is an art by Chinese farmers. The original purpose of the paintings was to ward off evil.  

This is a woodblock painting made in Shaanxi province, it’s the Door God.  

The Door God can chase away evil spirits, so people put him on their doors and windows to welcome in the New Year.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

Traditional Chinese handmade lantern

Traditional lanterns have always been an art form as well as a functional tool. 

I found this unique handmade lantern with traditional Chinese design and patterns. 

In ancient times, you could only find such lanterns in the homes of rich families, but now one makeery special decoration for your room.

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

It is handmade with unique paper lantern

See this beautiful lantern? Can you believe it is made of paper?

This very unique material is called Dongba paper. It is completely made by hand.

Dongba paper contains the minerals of a plant called the Landu Flower. It is said this flower contains a chemical that can preserve the paper for one thousand years.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

This is a Dongba woodcarving.

Do you know about Dongba script? It is the only language in use today that still uses pictures. It is used by the Naxi ethnic people in Yunnan province.

This is a Dongba woodcarving. It has characters from the Dongba language inscribed on it.

Naxi people also call their high priest "Dongba," which means “wise man.” The priests use the Dongba language to record divine words during sacrificial ceremonies.

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

Fish represents wealth in China

I've always loved things that have ethnic minority characteristics. So I’m very happy every time I find Naxi ceramic items in Beijing.

The Naxi minority group lives in Lijiang in southwestern China. Their ceramic items are very exquisite.

This one has a fish pattern. It's very common for Naxi people to use fish on their art, as it represents wealth.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

Our love will live forever!

On May 12th, 2008, the deadly Sichuan Earthquake killed at least 68,000 people in southwestern China.

Over a year later, all Chinese still remember that terrible tragedy. This sculpture was put up last week in Beijing’s 798 Art Zone. The designer hopes everyone will continue to give aid to the reconstruction effort of Sichuan.

Our love will live forever!

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing

This precious item is a woodstone

This precious item shown in the pic is a woodstone. It is a type of petrified wood which comes from southern China.

This one is a very unique piece, because we see a variety of colors here.

Woodstone was formed 250 million years ago. Now it has become a hot collection item for its rarity.

--by Cathryn, your tour guide in Beijing

A jadeite takes several million years to form

Jadeite is very popular in China. This is a beautiful Jadeite pendant which represents longevity, happiness and wealth.

Famous for its glossy surface, a jadeite takes several million years to form.

They can be divided into several groups by their levels of transparency. The best, or the most transparent, is the 'glass' type. Semi-transparent jades are called 'ice' type.

--by Cathryn, your personal shopping assistant in Beijing