I've always loved Chinese culture, and I just took a trip to Sichuan in China—it left me totally blown away by the breathtaking landscapes, historic sites, and amazing food. I'm heading back home soon, and I picked up some really authentic Chinese gifts for my family and friends. Let me show you what I got!

Silk Scarf

I got a silk scarf for my mom. China's the birthplace of silk, and the locals told me Sichuan brocade is super famous too—they even pointed me to a lovely silk shop. As soon as I walked in, I was spoilt for choice with all the silk scarves there. The silk's tough yet soft, the colors are so vibrant, and the flower and bird patterns look absolutely lifelike. It feels smooth to the touch, and it's nice and cool to wear. Mom loves blue, so I finally picked a light blue one embroidered with gardenias—it'll be the perfect pop of color with her plain everyday clothes.

Tea and Tea Set

For my dad, I got a tin of black tea, paired with a tiny, delicate ceramic tea set. Chinese tea culture has been around for ages. Walking the streets of Chengdu, you'll see tons of little tea houses, where elderly folks sit for the whole afternoon with a pot of tea and a game of chess. I drank so much tea during my trip, watching the tea leaves unfurl slowly in warm water and the delicate aroma fill my mouth. Green tea is fresh and clean, white tea is sweet and mellow, dark tea is rich and smooth, and oolong tea has a strong, fragrant flavor—but black tea's my favorite of all. It's warm and sweet, the tea liquor is amber-colored, and the aroma's rich without being overpowering. Sipping it warms you up all over. Plus, I heard black tea is gentle on the stomach, which is perfect for dad—he loves tea but has a sensitive stomach. Imagine how nice it would be for him to brew a pot in his free time!

Herbal Sandalwood Comb

I got a pretty and practical herbal sandalwood comb for my best friend. I've always heard Chinese herbal medicine works wonders for the body, but I never knew they make combs out of it! The shopkeeper told me every herbal sandalwood comb they make goes through a bunch of detailed steps: first, they pick top-quality sandalwood as the base, then mix in a bunch of scalp-nourishing Chinese herbs like Chinese angelica, fleece-flower root, and Chinese arborvitae leaves. The herbs are ground into powder, sifted, kneaded into a paste, molded, demolded, air-dried, and then polished to make the final comb. It's a lot of work, but the finished comb is gorgeous, and it has a subtle, nice herbal scent. My friend's been struggling with hair loss lately, and I heard these specially blended herbal combs not only massage the scalp and boost blood circulation, but the herbal nutrients also seep into the scalp slowly, nourishing the hair roots and reducing hair loss. I'm sure this gift will be right up her alley!

Giant Panda Merchandise

Does anyone else love China's national treasure, the giant pandas, as much as I do? They're such cute, clumsy little things, and the way they munch on bamboo shoots slowly is just the sweetest thing ever. Chengdu's the hometown of giant pandas, so you'll see them everywhere—lazy and carefree at the panda base, and panda motifs on every street and corner. There are so many panda-themed products to choose from, I could've spent all day browsing. Panda plushies, tote bags, thermoses, bookmarks… every single thing is adorable, I couldn't put them down! I ended up buying a bunch of panda plushies and keychains for my nieces and nephews—they're gonna go crazy for them.

Press-On Nails

I got a few sets of pretty press-on nails for my sister. She's at that age where she loves all things pretty, and the nail art here has so many gorgeous, intricate designs. I picked one set with a Chinese-style bamboo pattern, one pink frilly set covered in sparkly rhinestones, and one edgy black-and-gold set. Different styles for different outfits—what girl could say no to that?

Local Snacks

Last but not least, I picked up some Sichuan local snacks that I can take on the plane, to share with the elders and friends back home. Sichuan people love spicy food, and their chili peppers are so fragrant! I bought some vacuum-packed shadow beef and also some five-spice flavored ones for the friends who don't eat spicy. The meat's firm and chewy, it's so moreish you just can't stop eating it. I also got some seasonings—ones that I've never even seen back home. I specifically picked up a few packs of Sichuan peppercorns and chili powder, and I'm gonna try to cook some of the delicious Sichuan dishes I had here back home, so my family can taste the unique flavors of Chinese food too.


My trip to Sichuan was more than just a journey through stunning landscapes and rich culture; it's a collection of wonderful memories I'll cherish forever." Every one of these carefully picked gifts has a special meaning. They carry my wishes for my family and friends, and they capture the best moments of my trip to Sichuan. I hope these little gifts from Sichuan, China, bring them a nice surprise and lots of joy, and I also hope they can let my loved ones learn a little more about Chinese culture and fall in love with Chinese flavors too.