The best souvenirs to buy in Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung is an incredible city that is becoming one of Taiwan’s most popular holiday destinations. With so many things to see and do it is perfect for a short weekend trip. But what kind of souvenirs can you buy that are uniquely local? Here are five of the best locally made souvenirs you can pick up next time you are in this wonderful west coast city.

Suncake

Mentioning suncake naturally reminds people of Taichung. It is almost like the synonym for Taichung. In earlier times, suncake was all hand-made typically with maltose as filling, with thin pastry skin, good smell and easily melts in your mouth; the keys to the fabulous taste of suncake. Due to the interest in health care in recent years, many pastry shops began to replace animal shortening, which is usually the material oil of suncakes, to vegetable ones and also further invented many lighter flavors for suncakes.

Fengyuan Lacquer Art

Fengyuan in Taichung was once the center of all things lacquer here in Taiwan. In fact, at one point it was said that 99% of the country’s lacquerwares were made in the area. Today, you will find that it is home to the Fengyuan Lacquer Art Museum which is a great place to learn about the history of lacquer art during the Japanese colonial period. It is also the best place to pick up a locally made piece of lacquerware. From chopsticks to bowls, there are plenty of brightly colored pieces to choose from, and they are the ideal souvenir for your living room.

Waipu Wine

Many people laugh at the notion that Taiwan can produce high-quality wines but that is simply down to a lack of wine-producing history. However, that is all about to change as Waipu winemakers Shu Sheng have won international acclaim for their products. Started back in 2000 by a local farmer and a winemaker, the vineyard is slowly gaining recognition as one of the best producers of wine in Asia, with their wines winning many awards across the globe.

Pineapple Cakes

Another one of those popular souvenirs that you just cannot leave the city without, pineapple cakes are plentiful in Taichung. The problem is, which ones are the best?

Dawn Cake can probably take that accolade as their pineapple cakes are incredible. They are without doubt the best locally made cakes, and many people consider them to be on a par with, or even better than the more famous Chia Te or SunnyHills cakes.

Cheese-Filled Mochi

You have probably heard of the sticky and chewy dessert known as mochi, and you may have even tried some with various fillings such as green tea or red bean. It is highly unlikely though that you have tried anything like Paochuan Food Company’s cheese-filled mochi.

It does not sound too appetizing, but then again many of the world’s most delicious snacks started out as a weird combination of two contrasting foods. And this is one of those times when such a strange marriage of ingredients actually works.

Read more: Take a trip to Taichung

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What to buy as souvenirs from Philippines

The Philippines is a country with full of culture and history. It is blessed with delicious cuisine, unique shops, beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches, and friendly people. It is a great way to spend a dream vacation. 

Filipinos have a word called “pasalubong.” This means “something for welcoming me back,” and shows the giving spirit of the Filipinos. There are many options available when looking for something to bring back to your friends and family, and they will surely love getting a little taste of the Philippines. Here is a list of popular things to buy in the Philippines.

Dried Mangoes

The Philippine mango is known worldwide for sweetness and silky texture. You can find the best mangoes in Guimaras, Zambales, and Cebu. They preserve it as a dried fruit to hold the full intensity of the flavor. Eat dried mangoes as a snack or use it to top your ice cream. It is chewy and leaves tartness in your mouth.

Chocnut or Chocolate Peanut Bars

Everyone loves Chocnut, especially the Filipino. It is a small candy bar that almost all of us is familiar with. It is a sweet mixture of peanuts, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. You will feel nostalgic after every bite.

The ‘I love Philippines’ T-Shirt

There is no way you can miss out on these perfect Filipino souvenirs. The T-Shirts that say ‘I love Philippines’ is truly one of the popular souvenirs picked by too many people.  Make it a point to wear this T-Shirt at least on one of the days when you are touring here.

Carved Wood 

Around the islands of the Philippines, you will find carved wood in the form of different figures, bowls, ashtrays and much more. Carved wood is such a gift that is both pretty and useful.

Polvoron

Polvoron is a favourite childhood treat, for adult as well. It is a crunchy and crumbly fun-to-eat snack that comes in different flavours. Ingredients are mainly powdered milk, butter and toasted flour. They are moulded into oval or round shapes. Traditionally, polvoron was made special with rice crisps added to the mix. These sweet treats are great anytime. They are also great as gifts or giveaways during the holidays.

Tikog Slippers

Tikog is a grass that grows in the swamp near the ricefield. The locals dry and use it to create handicrafts like slippers or flip-flops, decorations, and adornments.

Tikog slippers is a comfy partner to your feet on any walk. Get trendy with its vibrant colors and good-looking designs. The product earned international recognition with exposure in magazines, websites, and other printed materials.

The Philippine Tea

If you are a tea lover, this is surely one of the things you need to grab. The Philippines tea tree which is known as Carmona Retusa is truly famous and the leaves of the tree are known to be effective in curing cold, cough, fever and lot more too. So, bring home some of this specific tea and your friend and family would appreciate it.

Read more: Taste the most popular desserts in the Philippines

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Best souvenirs to buy in Manila, Philippines

Filipinos are generally known to exhibit the cultural habit of buying and bringing pasalubong (souvenirs) to their loved ones, whether a key chain, shirt, or food delicacy from a place they have recently traveled to. For travelers visiting Manila anytime soon who would like to buy a memento to remind them of their trip, finding souvenir items here surely will not be a problem.

Piña Cloth

There are many types of beautiful fabrics made in the Philippines, but the queen of them all is the piña cloth, which is extracted from pineapple fibers. When done the traditional way, the process of making piña cloth is hard and laborious.

Though it looks soft and delicate on the outside, this cloth is downright durable. It is often used to make the traditional Filipino dress, the Saya and Barong Tagalog, but you can also find bags, table linens, and other home décor made of this.

Philippine Pearls

It is said that the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens. The pearl is the oldest valued gem, but unlike other gems, it is derived from living organisms, such as mollusks - the oyster. This hard and ideally round and smooth object is naturally produced and is cultivated or harvested. Pearls come in varied colors. In the Philippines you can take fancy in the various colored pearls, such as cream-roses, cream-whites, and assorted yellows and golds.

Kubing

Music is always a huge part of local culture, no matter where you are in the world. Musical instruments make great souvenirs, since they capture the spirit of a place through sound.

A popular instrument that will be easy to bring home is the “Kubing,” or jaw harp. It is made of bamboo and about 25 cm long, so it will be easy to pack. The instrument is played by pressing the mouthpiece to the lips and plucking the end to create a sound. Kubings are generally played during courtship (usually by the man) or in traditional ceremonies.

Barako Coffee

Grown mainly in Batangas, Barako coffee is the best gift to take home to your coffee-loving friends and family members. It is of the Liberica variety and is popular and well-loved for its strong aroma and rich fruity taste. You can serve it black or with honey or sugar as a sweetener, and it is best paired with the Filipino pan de sal or cakes and pastries.

Capiz Items

Capiz is both a geographical location and the name of a shell that is used largely in interior decorating and for decorative gifts and accessories found in the Philippines. Geographically speaking, Capiz is a province of the Philippines facing the Sibuyan Sea to the north. Capiz shell, which is used for decorative purposes, is the outer shell of the marine mollusk, Placuna placenta, found in the shallow coastal waters of the Philippines.

Banig products

Banig products are woven from grasses such as Tikog and Romblon, and have vibrant colors and patterns. Banig bags, banig mats and banig placemats can add a lovely pop of color to any home. Bring back the Banig mats for friends who are into camping or the outdoors, and Banig bags for those who love fashion with a funky touch.

See more: Top best shopping malls in Manila, Philippines

Visit Wuhan, what to buy as souvenirs?

There are so many beautiful things to buy in Wuhan, China that it is often difficult to figure out where to start. Silk clothing, tea sets, chopsticks and fans are regularly sought out by tourists, but how about hunting down something a little more original?

Turquoise

Turquoise means "Turkish stone". The Sky blue to bluish green Turquoise is porous, so contact with liquids, oils or even perspiration should be avoided. Jewelry made with turquoise should be removed before washing hands, etc. The pure blue color is rare, most stones contain the matrix from which it was found. Although the stones without matrix are rarer and more valuable, many people find the black matrix attractive, and makes the stone unique.

Honghu Lake Feather Fan 

The leather fan differs from some paper fans that can fold up, because it is made of leather. It has 2000 years’ history, which originates in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). Zhuge Liang, a famous military counselor in the Three Kingdoms period, took his leather fan with him, summer or winter, which made the leather fan mysterious and famous.

Silk flowers

One of Wuhan’s oldest crafts is the production of silk flowers. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty, these traditional pieces were commonly worn as accessories due to their delicate beauty and intricate craftsmanship. Luckily, these skills have been nurtured and passed down through generations, meaning that these accessories are still very much available today. With hundreds of variations, including peony, rose, Chinese rose, chrysanthemum and Dahlia, your outfit need never look tired again.

Read more: 5 reasons you should visit Wuhan, China

Traditional black sugar tea

This traditional local delicacy seems a little strange at first. Handmade by shop owners in Wuhan’s Tan Hua Lin walking street, you cannot get more local than this. At first glance, it looks a little like a chocolate brownie, but on closer examination, with a little help from the proprietor, it turns out it is a healthy sugar-based tea. There are a range of flavours to choose from, each flavour being a different type of Chinese flower tea. Simply pop the cube in hot water, wait a few minutes and you are good to go.

Hand-drawn city maps

If you want to remember every last detail of your trip to Wuhan, there is no better way to do this than with a souvenir map. However, before you rip a page from the A-Z, or print a screen shot from Google Earth, maybe search for something with a little more aesthetic value. Wuhan’s crafty neighborhood, Tan Hua Lin, is the perfect place for this.

The street’s many boutiques have a vast selection of intricately designed, hand-drawn city and street maps that promise to help you remember your trip, and also look good on the wall.

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What to buy as souvenirs in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has always been a known stop for most cruises thanks to some of the most unique and exquisite quality items available on this island. So when you are here, you need to keep an entire day dedicated for shopping. Scout the local markets, or roam tirelessly in the high-end showrooms but be sure to take back the unique varieties this island nation has to offer. Below is a list of what to buy in Sri Lanka so that you can carry home as lovely souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

Jewellery and gems

Sri Lanka is famous for its sapphires and moonstones. The mines in Ratnapura have a constant supply of precious gems and the gemologists on the island know where to import the best gems from as well. In the little town of the Galle Fort, gem stores sell gems on their own and in the form of jewellery as well. If you are buying gems and jewellery, it is best to use your bartering skills. There are also plenty of contemporary jewellery makers like Two Dots Jewellery, which you can find at Barefoot or via their online store.

Raksha masks

Unique to the Sri Lankan culture, Raksha masks are available in almost every souvenir shop in the form of masks, magnets, keychains, etc. They are believed to ward off the evil and protect the one who possesses them. The masks are worn while performing the traditional Kolam ritual and depict the ancient race of Rakshasas. The most commonly used masks are Naga Raksha (cobra mask), Gurulu Raksha (Mask of the Bird) and Maru Raksha (Mask of the Demon of Death).

Saris and sarongs

Sri Lanka’s local and traditional clothing is made up of saris for women and sarongs for men. Some women will wear sarongs as well but as a set with a matching blouse. There are plenty of places to find sarongs in Colombo and in the rest of Sri Lanka, but the best sarongs are from Barefoot. There are also saris at Barefoot and Selyn Fair Trade and you can find beautiful silk or batik saris in high fashion sari shops and via Fashion Market, an online fashion store.

Ayurvedic beauty products

Ayurveda is a traditional healing system practiced by Ayurveda doctors in Sri Lanka. This craft has been passed on to them through the generations. Lately, there are more local brands selling products using these age old remedies, and they are a perfect gift for your loved ones.

Dumbara mats

If you are a fan of the handwoven stuff, you must pick up Dumbara mats and cane handicrafts from the local shops. The villages around Kandy produce a lot of coarse fabric called Dumbara which is then woven into mats, bags, boxes, and baskets, typically in a geometric fashion. These can make for excellent gifts.

Read more: 7 reasons why you should visit Sri Lanka in 2019

Moonstone carvings

All Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are graced by a half moon stepping stone at the entrance. These carved stones are called moonstones and have been used as religious imagery for centuries. These ancient carvings are now used in parks and modern temples due to their figurative and historic quality. Small moonstone carvings are made as souvenirs for tourists and small home shrines. They can be found carved in limestone or wood, in small to larger sizes. They make great conversation starters due to their history.

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