Suzhou Shopping

As a town that caters to a large number of visitors, Suzhou has perfected the art of crafting fine souvenirs using the area's exquisite selection of natural resources. when visiting Suzhou, some of the most popular items to keep an eye out for include Suzhou's world famous silk products, Bilouchun Tea unique to Suzhou, and hand crafted writing brushes. With several markets and countless shops throughout the city you can take your time searching for the perfect memory to bring home with you.
 

SUZHOU SILK:  The history of silk production in Suzhou dates back to ancient times. The city has forever been synonymous with producing the greatest variety of silk products with unmatched quality anywhere in China. Here you can find an astounding selection of silk dresses, fans, jackets, pajamas, and bedding, just to name a few. Tailors throughout Suzhou will happily assist you in creating a one of a kind silk garment in just a matter of days.

BILOUCHUN TEA:  Suzhou's specialty green tea, known locally as "Fearful Incense", is famous for its rich aromatic flavor as well as its time-intensive technique of leaf preparation. The leaves used for Bilouchun Tea are collected by hand from the Bilou mountainside during early spring. The only part of the leaf used for the tea, the tender tip, can be no more than an inch in length. Each tin of Bilouchun Tea uses about 60,000 leaves. The tips are then kneaded, rubbed, and rounded by hand in order to bring out the powerful aromatic flavor of the tea. Because the process requires so much time and energy, the tea can be very expensive.

WRITING BRUSHES:  Used primarily for calligraphy, the Huzhou writing brush has evolved into a tool of great specialty throughout Suzhou. Originating in Zhejiang Province, the brushes are crafted from the finest materials, using a variety of different types of hair including goat hair, mixed hair, purple hair, and weasel hair. More than 300 different brushes of varying sizes and styles can be found in Suzhou. Sharp brushes with cone shaped tips, along with round, flexible brushes are available for artists and amateurs alike to choose from.