The Only 8 Souvenirs to Buy in Hangzhou That Locals Actually Give – Skip the Tourist Traps (2026 Guide for Foreign Travelers)
- cometodolphinunion
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction: “I Need a Gift… But Not That Tea Again”
You’ve seen the photos.You’ve walked West Lake.Now you’re thinking: “What can I bring home that’s real? Not just another box of tea?”
Here’s the thing:
Hangzhou is full of fake souvenirs.
Overpriced silk scarves. Mass-made fans.
And yes—low-grade Longjing tea sold to tourists who don’t know better.
But last month, Emily from Australia handed me a small green box from Nan Song Hu Ji.
Inside: mooncakes shaped like Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian.She said, “My coworkers thought I bought them at an art museum.”
That’s what we want.Gifts that feel like Hangzhou, not China-in-a-box.
This guide shows you exactly where to go, what to buy, and how to avoid wasting money on junk.
No fluff.
No ads.
Just 8 real gifts—tested by us, loved by travelers.
Skip Generic Tea — Try These Instead
Most visitors grab tea from random shops near West Lake (Xī Hú – 西湖).
Bad idea.
Many sell old leaves or fake "Dragon Well" mix.
Want real flavor?
Go to Chengpin Tea Shop (Chéngpǐn Cháyè – 承品茶叶).
It’s inside Jiefang Road Tea Market (Jiěfàng Lù Cháshì – 解放路茶叶市场), Gate 4, Stand 2-32.
They grow their own in Longjing Village.
Taste before you buy—free samples every time.
Try:
→ Longjing Green Tea: Nutty smell, sweet aftertaste;
→ Jiuqu Hongmei Black Tea: Fruity, smooth, no bitterness.
Price: ¥50–¥300 per 100g.
Vacuum-packed. Lasts 1 year if sealed.
Pro tip: Ask for “tea for foreigners”—they’ll give you milder grades perfect for beginners.
Forget Cookies — Try Fresh-Baked Zha Cai Buns
Yes, mooncakes are classic.But here’s what locals really eat: Zha Cai Rou Bing (榨菜肉饼) — fresh-baked buns with pickled veg + pork.
Best place: Jiuyue Life (Jiǔyuè Shēnghuó – 九月生活).
Over 100 stores across Hangzhou.
Hot out of the oven. Crispy outside. Juicy inside.
Buy a box of 6 for ¥25.
One traveler, Diego from Spain, bought 3 boxes.“I ate one on the plane,” he said. “Flight attendant asked where I got it.”
To keep them fresh: Eat within 2 hours.Or freeze before flying—they reheat well.
Skip canned snacks. This is real Hangzhou street taste.
Want Artistic Gifts? Try These Two Spots (Hangzhou souvenirs for foreign travelers)
Most souvenir shops sell the same cheap prints.
Don’t waste your time.
Instead:
→ For modern Chinese style: Visit Nan Song Hu Ji (Nán Sòng Hú Jì – 南宋胡记).
Their treats look like paintings.
Each box has cookies shaped like West Lake scenes.
White Snake and Xu Xian? Yes.
Price: ¥88–¥168.
→ For traditional culture: Try Xiling Yinshe (Xīlíng Yínshè – 西泠印社) on Gushan Road.They sell:
• Ink-brush silk scarves (¥120);
• Personalized stone seals (¥200+, takes 20 mins).
Perfect for teachers, artists, or parents.Staff speak basic English. Can write names in seal script.
Take my friend Lisa from Canada—she got her husband a custom name seal.“
He still uses it for letters,” she said. “It feels personal.”
Skip Perfume — Try Song Dynasty Scent Boxes
Forget French cologne.Bring home Song Dynasty-style incense (Xiāngdào – 香道) instead.
Best brand: Song Dynasty Fragrance (Sòngcháo Xiāngfēn – 宋朝香氛).
Found at Hangzhou East Railway Station Mixc (Hángzhōu Dōng Zhàn Wànxíng Huì – 杭州东站万象汇), B1 floor.
Their West Lake Ten Views Gift Set (Xīhú Shíjǐng Lǐhé – 西湖十景礼盒) won “Top Hangzhou Cultural Gift” in 2025.
Smells like:
• Morning mist over the lake;
• Fresh Longjing tea;
• Plum blossoms in winter.
Price: ¥300–¥400.
Comes in blue porcelain bottles with hand-painted scenes.
You can test scents before buying.Staff explain each one in simple English.
Great for moms, partners, or anyone who loves calm vibes.
(Hangzhou souvenirs for foreign travelers)
Love Fans? Get Real Craftsmanship
Cheap paper fans? Skip them.
Real art is at Wang Xing Ji (Wáng Xīng Jì – 王星记), Hefang Street #203.
They’ve made fans since 1889.
Hand-stitched. Sun-proof. Wind-resistant.
Try:
→ Black Paper Fan (Hēizhǐ Shàn – 黑纸扇): Waterproof, lasts 10+ years;
→ Kesi Silk Fan (Gēsī Shàn – 缂丝扇): Woven by master crafters, looks like lace.
Price: ¥100–¥300.Free gift bag. Ready to give.
One German guest, Sven, bought four.“My friends thought they were from a museum,” he laughed.
Not just for summer. These are display pieces.
Need Edible Gifts? Try Hangzhou’s Famous Cured Meats
Tea and snacks are fine.But for something bold: try Wanlong Ham Store (Wànlóng Huǒtuǐ Zhuāng – 万隆火腿庄).
Address: Zhongshan Middle Road #79.
They sell:
→ Dry-cured ham (like Italian prosciutto);
→ Hangzhou sausage;
→ Soy-sauce duck.
All vacuum-packed. Safe for flights. Lasts 30 days.
Use in soups or stir-fries. Rich, salty, deep flavor.
James from the UK cooked it with noodles back home.“
My family said it tasted ‘uniquely Chinese’,” he told me.
Price: ¥50–¥100. Cheap for what it is.
Small size fits in carry-on.
Final Tips: How to Buy Like a Local
Avoid these traps:
❌ “Organic Longjing” sold by strangers near the lake (usually fake);
❌ Silk scarves in tourist malls (poor stitching, fades fast);
❌ Pre-packaged snacks with no expiry date.
Do this instead:→ Use Alipay or WeChat Pay. Even small shops accept cards via QR code;→ Ask for “vacuum pack” if flying;→ Keep receipts—some items can be refunded at airport if unopened.
And always:Check labels. Look for “Made in Hangzhou” or shop name.When in doubt, send us a photo—we’ll help.
Need help planning your gift run?
We make it easy:
👉 Request a Shopping Tour or Airport Transfer
WhatsApp: +15715728786
WeChat: DolphinUnion
Email: hansong@dolphinunion.com
We’ll send you a map, store hours, and even meet you at the metro.
Don’t Miss Our Top-Rated Hangzhou Guide
If you love real local moments, grab our:
👉 Hangzhou Travel Guide – The Ultimate 96-Hour Lakeside & Heritage Itinerary
Inside, you’ll find:
✅ Exact boat routes to beat crowds at West Lake (Xī Hú);
✅ Hidden teahouses locals use (not on Google Maps);
✅ Public ferry for ¥6 (vs tourist boats at ¥70);
✅ Best time for lotus blooms (July) and fireflies (June–Oct);
✅ Step-by-step calligraphy workshop booking;
✅ Vendor ranking for Wulin Night Market—no guessing which stall is safe;
✅ And a full chapter on how to drink tea like a local: when to sip, when to pause, how to thank the host.
This is the same guide that helped Tom from the USA join a morning temple ritual without speaking Chinese, and Mia from Japan find a secret courtyard tea house behind Hefang Street (Héfāng Jiē – 河坊街).
Your trip should feel personal—not generic.
Let us help you live Hangzhou, not just visit it.
🎉 Happy gifting!
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