Guys, don't tread uncharted waters. There's no reason to go blindly shopping for a present for your girlfriend or wife to bring home after your business or leisure trip to China. If she hasn't told you specifically what she'd like you to bring back (she probably did some research after you told you were going), then listen to me. I am female, I like to shop, I know what's here in China. The following list gives you some wonderful ideas about what to bring her and I'm sure she'll adore you (and the presents...)
1. Porcelain from Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen is historically the capital of Chinese porcelain. Porcelain has been made there for hundreds of years and nothing says "China" like, well, china. While fragile, you can easily transport small items such as jewelry boxes or vases and most are sold in very sturdy boxes. You can find everything from the super-traditional blue and white patterns with swirling dragons and phoenixes to ultra-modern designs in stark white. She'll love it.Where to buy it?
- Traditional: Shanghai Museum Store, 201 Renmin Da Dao, by Yan'an Road (inside the People's Park). Open: daily 9am-5pm.
- Modern: Spin, 758 Julu Road, Bldg. No. 3 (set back from the street, through the parking lot), near Fumin Road. Open daily noon-10pm.
2. Embroidered Silk Slippers
Girls love to slip their feet into something pretty so trade in her raggedy old faux-shearling bedroom slippers for gorgeous silk slippers. Suzhou Cobblers' lovelies are sure to drive your girl wild with abandon over their hand-embroidered treasures - no foot-binding required.Where to buy it?
- Suzhou Cobblers Boutique, Room 101, 17 Fuzhou Road (right off the Bund), www.suzhou-cobblers.com
3. South Sea Pearls
What guy doesn't like a real bargain? South Sea Pearls, those big luscious baubles that grace the necks of the likes of Laura Bush and Oprah Winfrey are very expensive, even low quality ones can cost upwards of 10,000 US Dollars. While cultured in warm southern Pacific seas, they're traded into China and can be bought at a real bargain. If you're good at bargaining, you can get a strand for as low as USD 1,000 but be prepared to spend half a day haggling.Where to buy it?
- Pearl's Circles, First Asia Jewelry Plaza, 3rd floor, 288 Fuyou Road, Shanghai. Open daily 10am-6pm.
- Hong Qiao New World Pearl Market, Hong Mei Road on the corner of Hong Qiao Road. Open daily 10am-10pm.
4. Architecture Books on Old Shanghai
I list these in my Gift Ideas from Shanghai for Him article as well, but I think these make a great gift for any art or architecture loving girl. Who wouldn't want to put a unique coffee table book out for guests to peruse?Old China Hands Tess Johnson and Deke Erh have been publishing books about Shanghai's historical architecture for years. Stop into the Old China Hand Reading Room or the Deke Erh Art Center to pick up one of several of the team's books on the fast-vanishing foreign-influenced architecture of Shanghai.
Where to buy it?
- The Old China Hand Reading Room, #27 Shaoxing Road (between Ruijin Er Road and Shanxi Nan Road)
- Deke Erh Art Center, 2-1, Lane 210, Taikang Road
5. Silk Pajamas
Another luxurious gift for your girl that she surely wouldn't buy herself is a set of signature silk pajamas from Shanghai Tang. She will gladly step out of her clothes...and into her new jammies. Hmm, you might want to rethink that one.Where to buy it?
