In this post, you will find over 30 unique Chinese gifts for travelers. So continue reading if you want the best Chinese gift ideas for someone who absolutely loves China. And if you are short on time, let me share the number Chinese gift: a trip to China.
I can imagine that such a gift is not within everyone’s budget. So my best tip for people who are looking for affordable Chinese-themed gifts for travelers is number 17, China travel guides.
By the way, If you are looking for China gifts for a couple’s 20th marriage anniversary, you came to the wrong place. But I hope you already noticed that by now 😉
Table of Contents
Save these Chinese gift ideas
Don’t forget to save these Chinese-themed gifts for the next time you need to find Chinese gifts!
Chinese gifts for large budgets
#1 DIY dumpling kit
Dumplings are perhaps the most famous Chinese food across the globe. So if you are looking for Chinese gift ideas for someone who loves Chinese food, this DIY dumpling kit might be the best gift for them.
For more DIY food kits from different countries, check out these 25 international DIY kits.
#2 Chinese cooking class
This is another one of the great Chinese gift ideas for people who love Chinese food, online cooking classes!
Check out Uncommon Goods for a dumpling cooking class or have a look at all the Chinese cooking classes offered on Udemy.
#3 Chinese pottery
The blue and white ceramics from China have a large history and date back to as far as the 7th century. So if you are looking for gifts from China for people’s homes, these ceramics are a great idea.
Random side story about China blue pottery.
In the Netherlands (where I am from), we have a similar style of ceramics and we call it Delf’s blue porcelain. I used to think that this was a typically Dutch thing. However, it turns out the Dutch actually copied the Chinese style somewhere around the 17th century (so about 10 centuries later than the Chinese). And Delft’s Blue porcelain is actually made from cheaper material. In fact, it’s not even made from porcelain clay.
#4 Chinese games
I selected three cool options for you if you are looking for Chinese gifts for people who love games:
- Gugong. This is a strategy game where players represent powerful Chinese families who need to gain power and influence
- Mahjong. An ancient Chinese tile game, I only know the online version, but check out the rules for the tile version here.
- Chinese chess. It’s comparable, but definitely not the same, as western chess. Make sure you check BrainKing for the rules.
#5 DIY Chinese hot pot kit
If you are looking for more Chinese gifts for people who love cooking. And more specifically, cooking Chinese food, perhaps this DIY hot pot kit is what you need.
To be honest, I had to look up what a hot pot is, but apparently, it’s quite literally a pot with hot water or broth in which you can prepare raw foods such as veggies, meat, or seafood. And it’s a super popular dish or dinner style in China.
#6 Chinese tea set
Traditional tea sets are great Chinese gifts for people who love tea and China. And if you are looking for something extra to go along with this gift, check out #25.
#7 Vintage map of China
If you are looking for Chinese gift ideas for someone’s home, perhaps this vintage map from China in 1885 is what you need. Travelers seem to have a thing for maps, so gifting a map of their favorite country, especially such an aesthetic one as this one is always a good idea.
If you’d rather give a map of the world, check out these world map wall art ideas.
#8 Chinese language courses
Did you know that Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language worldwide (measured by the number of native speakers, though)?
So speaking Mandarin is not only fun for people who love China, it’s also a super practical language.
Check out Udemy for all online courses and Amazon for the book version.
#9 Chinese-themed water bottles
These China-themed stainless steel water bottles are great Chinese gift ideas for sustainable travelers who try to avoid using plastic water bottles.
There are over 500 Chinese-inspired designs on Zazzle, so you definitely don’t have to stick to the Beijing design I choose.
Chinese gifts for mid-budgets
#10 Silk notebooks
These notebooks with Chinese silk covers are a great example of practical Chinese gifts. Travelers can use this notebook as a travel journal and keep track of all their adventures in China.
Check out these 25 cute travel journals if you need more inspiration.
And if you are looking for more Chinese silk-related gifts, check out number 24.
#11 Books about China
The shortest history of China
From the ancient dynasties to a modern superpower, this book from The shortest history series is great for history buffs who love China.
Why China leads the world
Talent at the top, data in the middle, democracy at the bottom. This is a great book for people who want to understand more about Chinese democracy.
China Smart: A past & present guide to history, culture, society, language
What you don’t know, what you need to know. A past and present guide to history, culture, society, and language. This gift is perfect for people who are about to move to China or who want to know more about Chinese culture.
#12 Chinese calligraphy
Calligraphy is one of the many things that China is famous for. So what’s cooler than giving someone who loves China the opportunity to create beautiful calligraphy at home?
Besides the calligraphy kit, you can also give online courses from Udemy.
#13 Name necklace
If you are looking for Chinese gifts for her, perhaps this necklace with her name spelled in Chinese characters is a good idea.
#14 Feng Shui guide
Feng Shui is an old Chinese philosophy that’s about arranging your living environments in such as way that you can create harmony. This book is a practical guide with illustrations and tips on how to create that balance exactly,
It’s a great Chinese-themed gift for people who are interested in spiritual and ancient Chinese wisdom.
#15 Fun Chinese-themed shirt
If you are looking for Chinese gifts for women who love bao buns, this is a great shirt for her. If you are (like me) not familiar with Chinese food, bao is a steamed bun that’s a very popular type of Chinese food.
#16 Chinese-themed travel mugs
Travel mugs are another example of China-themed gifts that are perfect for travelers. Especially for travelers who love coffee. With their personal travel mug, they take a hot coffee everywhere and still be reminded of their favorite country (China). Or city, if you decide to buy a travel mug with a city’s skyline, such as the Suzhou one. And don’t worry if the recipient prefers a different city, you can find plenty of options on Zazzle.
#17 China travel guides
Lonely Planet China
The Lonely Planet is a great guidebook for people who want to explore China on a budget
Fodor’s Essential China
Fodor’s Travel books are great for any type of traveler actually.
DK Eyewitness China
DK Eyewitness provides beautiful visual guidebooks.
#18 Chinese-themed tote bags
If you are looking for small and practical Chinese gift ideas for travelers, tote bags are a good option.
I liked the one with a vintage map of China, but I guess I just really like maps. So don’t forget to check out the other 1584 Chinese-themed options on Zazzle if you are looking for something different
#19 Chopsticks
Alright, I know I said forget the chopsticks, but come on. We’re talking about Chinese gifts here. How can we forget the chopsticks?
Of course, I had to include them as one of the gifts from China.
#20 Chinese martial arts courses
Martial arts are huge in China, to give you an idea, there are over 30 different styles that all fall into the category of martial arts. The five most common ones include Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Bajiquan, Tai Chi, and Baguazhang. Check out all online courses on Udemy.
Oh and if you are like me, and you’re wondering why regular Kung Fu is not included, apparently Kung Fu is not one martial art style, but rather an umbrella term for all martial arts that’s commonly used in the west.
#21 Chinese-themed passport covers
Passport covers are great Chinese gift ideas for travelers. You can find almost 200 different styles at Zazzle. Personally, I liked this panda-style cover, but there are plenty of options for everyone.
#22 Chinese cookbooks
China: The cookbook
A complete cookbook with recipes from 33 regions and subregions of China.
The China Study Cookbook
Revised and expanded edition with over 175 whole food, plant-based recipes from China. The perfect gift for vegans who love Chinese food.
All Under Heaven: Recipes from the 35 Cuisines of China
More than 300 recipes from different regions and cuisines of China.
Chinese gifts for small budgets
#23 Spicy Chinese snacks
If you are looking for Chinese gift ideas for people who love both spicy food and Chinese food, these Genji snacks are a great gift idea for them.
It includes spicy beancurd slices and spicy konjac strips, a total of 14 packages. Oh and one important side note when you order these spicy snacks. The date that’s shown on the package is NOT the expiration date, it’s the production date, so they don’t send expired snacks. The real expiration date is the production date plus 180 days.
Oh, and if you need more inspiration for spicy food lovers, check out the chili gift guide.
#24 Jewelry silk bags
As the number one producer of silk, you can find plenty of cool Chinese silk gifts. For travelers, these jewelry bags are super practical to keep their jewelry in one place when traveling.
#25 Chinese tea
The best gift for people who love tea and who love China, is of course Chinese tea, such as this loose-leaf tea. China has a long history of tea and it’s also the number 1 tea producer in the world, so it’s no surprise that you can find plenty of different tea companies from China.
#26 Vintage travel poster of China
This vintage travel poster is one of the great Chinese gift ideas for a China-obsessed person who is not traveling in China at the moment. With this poster, they can bring a bit of China to their home.
#27 China coloring book
This coloring book for adults is completely filled with Chinese landmarks or landscapes and is one of the great small Chinese gifts for travelers.
#28 Chinese hand fan
Hand fans are great small Chinese gift ideas. Hand fans actually have a long history in China, check out My Modern Met if you are interested in that history.
#29 Chinese-themed luggage tags
Luggage tags are another example of practical Chinese-themed gifts. You can go for the one with the Chinese character for love (or so Zazzle tells us because I can’t speak or read Chinese). Or you can pick one of the many designs offered on Zazzle.
#30 Confucius gifts
If you are looking for Chinese gift ideas for people who love philosophy, reading, or Chinese wisdom, perhaps this book with 100 quotes by Confucius is the gift you need.
#31 Chinese-themed puzzles
China-themed puzzles are great Chinese gift ideas for people who love China, but who can’t travel to China at the moment. With a Chinese-themed puzzle, they can keep themselves entertained at home, while still enjoying the beauty of China.
Also, check out the 25 gifts for puzzle lovers for more ideas.
Save these Chinese gift ideas
Save these Chinese-themed gifts on Pinterest so you’ll know where to look next time you need Chinese gifts!
