Chinese Perfume Pouch

Chinese Perfume Pouch Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Perfume pouch (Xiangbao) is a kind of Chinese traditional mascot with a long history. Due to the special scent of Perfume pouch (Xiangbao), people carry them and hope this can let them avoid the evil and expel the wickedness and bring them wealth and auspicious time forever.

History

By the Qing Dynasty, Perfume pouch (Xiangbao) was carried by people not only on the Dragon Boat Festival, but every day, because the Manchus had long had the custom. According to the Qing custom, emperors and empresses were required to carry Perfume pouch (Xiangbao) on them all the year round and at the end of every year, or on important festivals, the emperor would award the princes and ministers each a Perfume pouch (Xiangbao) to show his favor for them.

Usage

For Holiday

Perfume pouch, commonly called Xiangbao, Xiangnang, Xiangdai is a kind of Chinese traditional mascot with a long history. People make and wear perfume pouches on Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) which falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. The custom has been practiced from early times. It is said that people in ancient times used to carry a medicine bag when went hunting to drive out poisonous insects. Today we still find some old men carry on them a bag in the shape of calabash, a custom that can probably be traced to the old tradition.

Common Use

The common people make an even more extensive use of the perfume pouch. They, including men and women, old and young, all can carry one on them and can present it to others as a gift. There are many descriptions of such practice in the Chinese classical novel. Some young men and women often use it as a token of love.

Modern Use

With the development of human society and the advance of science, the perfume pouch has long lost such functions. But it remains in the favor of many. Due to the special scent of Perfume pouch (Xiangbao), people hope this can let them avoid the evil and expel the wickedness and bring them wealth and auspicious time forever. Therefore as a gift, Perfume pouch (Xiangbao) was popular between the friends as well as the lovers.

Style

Chinese perfume pouch takes a wide variety of shapes, but whatever shape it is always small and exquisite and has a pleasing fragrance. Decorations embroidered on it range from floral and small animal such as bird and fish designs to patterns of musical instruments, books, utensils and romantic figures, depending on the maker's aesthetic taste.

Chinese Perfume Pouch Highlights

Chinese Perfume Pouch Highlights Related

Dragon Boat Festival

Another festival for the living, commonly called the Fifth Moon Festival, was celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon. The proper name for this festival was the Upright Sun Festival, but foreigners in China referred to it as the Dragon-Boat Festival.

Chinese Perfume Pouch 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.