There are plenty of touristy shops in the centre of town, and a night mar- ket on Wumaci Dajie. Unsurprisingly the Confucian connection has been exploited to the hilt, with offerings of Confucius Gus, Confucius beer, Confucius sweets and something called the “Confucius Treasure Box”, which includes an acorn from the Confucian Forest and sand From the great sage’s grave- basically a box of very expensive and lovingly packaged earth. The T- shirts on sale at the Confucius Mansion gift shop feature the sage’s home on front (which changes colour when exposed to heat), and “PRI esta bien para tu familia” on the back - clearly leftovers from the Mexican political party’s losing presidential campaign a few years back. Pick up a book of translated Confucian sayings at the Quell Hotel. If you’re steering clear of Confucian paraphernalia, check out the chops (which they will carve with your name in a couple of minutes), rubbings taken fi’om the steles in the temple and iocaIly crafted pistachio carvings.

There’s also a charming traditional Chinese medicine store on Zhonglou Jie, near the Quell Hotel; look for the herbs drying on the pavement. Get your scorpion essence - a local product, advertised as a general tonic in the depart- ment stores on Wmnaci Jie.

To see more information about China shopping .

To see more information about China .