Carpet

Carpet Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The carpet as we know it today is a far cry from the basic item originally designed to provide comfort and warmth. The practical and convenient household commodity that could be rolled up and moved to a new location by nomadic people evolved into an art form and a collector's item of great value.

History

Origin

Carpet weaving appeared in China during the West Han Dynasty 2000 years ago.

Peak

During the 8th century Chinese felt carpets were prevailed and they were even stitched by silver threads. The dragon carpets of the 17th and 18th century were especially magnificent. This was possibly the peak of Chinese knotting art. But very few pieces of ancient carpets produced before the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD-1911AD) preserved.

Materials and Designs

Materials

The traditional Chinese knotted carpets were normally made from wool but northern nomads would also use goat and camel hair. Early weavers found that silk had special qualities that gave nuances of color as the light source changed or was varied.

• Silk carpets, made of high quality natural silk, are produced in a complicated traditional work.

Designs

Popular designs included lotus flowers, clouds as well as a variety of real and mythical animals such as dragons, the phoenix, elephants, horses and bats. The bat (fu) sharing its name with the Chinese word for luck was a particular symbol of good fortune.

Layouts

Basic layouts of silk carpets include allover, medallion, one-sided.

• Carpets in the layout of allover have no central design and the designs spread throughout the whole carpet separately or connected. There may be one same design or several designs appearing repeatedly throughout the whole carpet.

• In medallion, a large centerpiece is the main design called "Medallion". And this layout is the most popular one in handmade carpet. The shapes of medallions are usually circular, oval, octagonal, hexagonal and star-like. This kind of carpets is always symmetric in layout.

• For the layout of one-sided, the designs are woven in only one direction. Therefore the carpet can only be properly viewed from one side. The designs on one-sided carpets are usually images of people, animals and sceneries. Since one-sided carpets should not be viewed upside-down they are often used as tapestries.

Color

The colors of a carpet are mainly identified by the field (background) color and the border color. The field color is dominant. It usually covers the entire carpet with the exception of the border and the most commonly used colors are red, blue, black, beige and yellow. But some times, the colors of background and the border are so distinguishable.

Carpet Highlights

Carpet Highlights Related

Silk attraction highlights

"A silkworm spins all its silk till its death and a candle won't stop its tears until it is fully burnt." This Tang poem accurately describes the property of the silkworm. Silk, a symbol of China, can now be found everywhere in the world.

• Hangzhou

• China National Silk Museum
• Bayunxiang Silk Clothing Shop

Carpet FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. Is it convenient to pay by Credit Card when shopping?
2. Can I pay by cash?
3. Can I bargain when I want to buy some goods?
4. Do I need to compare the prices of several stores when I want to buy one item?
5. How to avoid cheating?
6. Is it safe shopping in China nowadays?
7. What is archway? What is archway used for?
8. What do I need to pay special attention to before I pay for the goods?
9. Is it a must for me to inspect my goods specially?
10. What must I do before I leave the Shopping Mall?
11. Who can I turn to for help when disputes occur?
12. Is it possible to get a refund if I am unsatisfied with what I bought?
13. How to choose what to buy when shopping?
14. What are your first choices when shopping?
15. Weather the tax of anything you buy overseas can be refunded?
16. How can I take the antiques that I bought in China?

1. Is it convenient to pay by Credit Card when shopping?

   Most city shops in china accept credit cards. Check the credit card slip before signing it and remember to take your receipt. Credit card companies and/or banks issuing the cards may charge a currency-exchange fee on overseas purchases. Please check with your credit card issuer for further details.




2. Can I pay by cash?

   Yes. RMB is accepted in local stores. Money exchange businesses are available on the streets. But it is not convenient to carry with a large amount of crash.




3. Can I bargain when I want to buy some goods?

   For those who want to go shopping for souvenirs to take home, they can look around, apart from large department stores and shopping malls, in some of the open markets such as the Xiushui Street (Silk Street) and Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing. Unlike large department stores where the prices are fixed, these places are where you can and you must bargain. Your local tour guides or hosts are the best help when you go to these places. They will prove be helpful in finding the real stuff and beating the prices down!




4. Do I need to compare the prices of several stores when I want to buy one item?

   Don't purchase something at the first place you find it, no matter how good the deal sounds. Go to several stores and ask for their price on the same goods. If you tell them you found the goods for a better price at another store, they are usually willing to negotiate the price with you. After looking at the same goods at different shops, you will have a better idea of what is available and the right price for the goods. This will allow you to bargain better and get the best value for your money.




5. How to avoid cheating?

   Avoid Bait and Switch Tactics. Some merchants display ambiguous prices or request a deposit on goods only to claim later that only an inferior or more expensive goods is available. In order to avoid these bait and switch tactics, be sure to shop at outlets where goods price is clearly displayed. You should also compare prices to get a better idea of the goods's price and features before purchasing it. You should also verify and understand exactly what you are buying and what the price covers. You also can get help from the local tour guides.




6. Is it safe shopping in China nowadays?

   Shopping in most cities of China nowadays should be a pleasant and rewarding experience. To ensure that visitors return home satisfied, China Tourism Board evaluates shops and restaurants using the Quality Tourism Services Scheme. Goods sold at accredited establishments are guaranteed to be genuine and of high quality.




7. Can you give some examples about the notices when I do shopping in some cities of China?

   Make sure you know what you want in terms of models, features, price and accessories, especially when you buy some costly goods. When you buy Chinese medicine and dried seafood, please check the goods's unit price and the method used to measure the weight of the goods. If you have any queries about prices please contact the Consumer Council, wholesaler or agent, or visit the manufacturer's showroom for further goods information.




8. What do I need to pay special attention to before I pay for the goods?

   Please make sure that the goods are in your hand before cash on the table. Many shops cater to the fact that tourists do not know what they are doing. When you are purchasing goods, make sure you ask for the case that the goods came with, and check the boxes to make sure the goods you are buying are indeed the same thing.




9. Is it a must for me to inspect my goods specially?

   Yes. Check the goods before paying and make sure you have all the accessories that should be included. Check the goods you have bought again before you leave the store.




10. What must I do before I leave the Shopping Mall?

    Check Your Receipts. You should always get a sales receipt (street stalls sometimes do not provide them). Check to ensure that all details and verbal agreements are fully listed on the sales receipt. Make sure the goods details listed match the goods you have bought.

11. Who can I turn to for help when disputes occur?

    If you have any problems, you can call the local Tourism Authority or the Consumer Association for help. The travelers also can lodge a complaint to the local Consumer Association or the Court.




12. Is it possible to get a refund if I am unsatisfied with what I bought?

    The large department stores or shopping malls in China promise a refund if tourists are not satisfied with the goods within two weeks. If you buy some goods from some of the open markets, you will not have chance to refund.




13. How to choose what to buy when shopping?

    When shopping, travelers should buy stuff that are of local characteristics as souvenirs. They are authentic, under reasonable price and worthy of being bought by consumers. For example, the Longjing Tea in Hangzhou, coconuts in Hainan, local styled clothes in Yunnan, Khatag in Tibet, are all souvenirs to keep for yourself or gifts for friends and relatives.




14. What are your first choices when shopping?

    Stuff that are small and light are your first choice when doing shopping, because it is convenient to bring with. If consignment is needed, it is also necessary to know whether your goods are allowed to be consigned. Some goods are vert fragile; if they would be broken during the consignment, they would be even more unnecessary to buy.




15. Weather the tax of anything you buy overseas can be refunded?

    Only the tax of certain products can be refunded, which are products that are marked with "TaxRefund," "TaxFree," or "EuroFreeTax." Products that need refund must be bought 1 to 3 months before they leave China (the time limit is set according to each nation's laws). Products as follows can not enjoy a refund: alcohol and tobacco (because they can be found in refund stores), goods without taxes (such as fresh goods like raw meat), and goods that have already been used abroad. Products that are not carried with the passengers also can not enjoy a refund.




16. How can I take the antiques that I bought in China?

    When buying antiques, travelers need to buy antiques that have the permission from the State Cultural Relics Bureau (under the Ministry of Culture) so they can bring them abroad.