A folk handicraft shop near the eastern gate of the Forbidden City

At the north end of Nanchizi Dajie - near the eastern gate of the Forbidden City - lies a small shop, with a red signboard hanging on its gate that reads ‘Chinese Folk Handicraft’. It is run by Aunt Cheng, an old Beijinger. After retirement, she set up this shop in 2007.

As I entered the shop, Aunt Cheng immediately greeted me warmly. After exchanging greetings, I looked through her characteristic goods. The figurines depicting young women dressed in the Qing Dynasty costume look very colorful. Their smiling expressions are vivid. And you can see many details, such as figures holding fans, or wearing hats of the Qing design. Each of them costs 100 to 300 yuan.

Miniature Beijing opera facial masks are good as small gift. They feature many famous people in Chinese literature, such as the characters from “Journey to the West”. The most attractive character is the Monkey King, character known to all as a brave, intelligent, and resourceful hero. Prices for these gift boxes range from 15 to 35 yuan.

They still carry many other things for you to choose from, such as painted small gourds, tiger-head children shoes, paper-cuts, pottery decorations of old Beijing, and more.

Aunt Cheng’s shop assistant speaks English well, so you can communicate smoothly with them.

What I appreciated

Chinese traditional handicrafts, a wide variety

What customers appreciate

Handicrafts with Chinese characteristics, good for gift and souvenir