Chongqing Local Specialties

Among folk handicrafts in Chongqing , Shu embroidery is the most important. Since the southern Song dynasty it was named Chinses four big embroideries with Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Yue embroidery. In addition, Rongchang folding fan is also famous since the Qing dynasty. There are three gorges ink stone, all kinds of bamboo weaving articles are showing extremely local national color.

Among flavor foods and fruits, there are great variety foods that taste exquisite, like, Fuling szechuan pickle, Hehuan Sliced Walnut Cake, Jingjin Tangor. And Jingjin Tangor was imperial tribute in the pass.
 

You can also find something about Chinese calligraphy in Chognqing. Three Gorges ink stone might be the best shopping item in this city. This item is made from a special stone excavated from the Libi Gorge section of Jialing River, the finely shaped ink stone is delicately engraved with beautiful patterns. The high value of this kind of ink stone makes it as a special collection among your Chinese calligraphy store.

Traditional Chinese ink was usually solidified into sticks for easier transport and preservation. Even a small amount of water could be applied to the end of a stick of ink, and that end would be ground with the flat surface of the ink stone. A larger quantity of ink could be ground from a small pool of water placed on the ink stone.

Three Gorge Ink Stone

Shu Embroidery

Shu embroidery is a traditional craft of Sichuan Province. It enjoyed good fame way back in the Han Dynasty and reached its heyday in the Song Dynasty.

It features fine, smooth needlework, simple elegant colors, graceful easy lines and the traditional Chinese paintings' style. Some summarized the style of Shu Embroidery as "stringent and fine stitches, light and elegant colors, beautiful and smooth lines, Chinese ink and wash flavors".

Shu Embroidery

In the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Shu embroidery was already famous. The central government even designated an office in this area for its administration. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), the increasing trade on theSilk Road, a relatively peaceful society, and large demand of silk products provided advanced conditions for the rapid development of the Shu embroidery industry.

Rongchang Paper Fan

With a history more than 450 years, Rongchang Paper Fan is a classical good that enjoys an international fame. This elaborate specialty can be a good choice for you as a souvenir for your Chongqing tour.

Rongchang Paper Fan

Once the folding paper fan was introduced into ancient Chinese society, it was immediately adopted.  Everyone had to have a folded paper fan. Fans were embroidered and painted and decorated and hung.  The ancient Chinese loved fans and the earliest ones were made of feathers. Over the years fans were made of all kinds of material like straw and wood. It was more than a fad. It soon became a national activity - nearly everyone made and carried gorgeously decorated folding paper fans.

Jiangjin Tangor

Chongqing Jiangjin in the Qing dynasty form emperor Kangxi to Qianlong began to cultivate tangor, it has been 300 years of history, and it is one of the three major orange production areas, known as the "hometown of orange”. Varieties of orange here are: citrus sinensis csbeck, rock sugar orange, Jinhua orange, etc. Citrus sinensis csbeck is tender, moderate sweet and sour taste, and it is juicy with the aroma. In addition, Jiangjin region has other tender texture and taste of sweet candy orange; has very brittle sweet taste, but resistant to storage and transportation red-skinned sweet orange.

Jiangjin Orange

Hechuan Sliced Walnut Cake

Hechuan Sliced Walnut Cake is one of the traditional and famous Han nationality snacks in Chongqing Hechuan District. It was founded in 1840. It is made by refined processing with using glutinous rice, walnut kernel, sugar, honey rose as raw material. Characteristics of Hechuan Sliced Walnut Cake are fine and glossy, soft and thin, white and sweet, highlight the intense aromas of peach kernel, rose fragrance. In 1917 Panama Fair Hechuan Sliced Walnut Cake won the Panama Gold Award. 

Hechuan Sliced Walnut Cake