What souvenirs should you buy in Chengdu?

Sichuan pepper (huajiao) and chili bean paste (doubanjiang) are useful, compact, and genuinely local. Buy them at a supermarket or specialty shop rather than a tourist street. Tea is also a good gift: jasmine tea and local green teas are widely available. Look for sealed packets with a production date; loose bins in tourist markets are cheaper but often stale.

Check your home country's customs rules before bringing food or plant products. Some countries restrict seeds, meat products, and fresh items. Pack powders and sealed sauces carefully to avoid leaks. Vacuum-sealed tea and sauces survive a suitcase better than glass jars.

• Sichuan pepper
• Chili bean paste
• Jasmine or local green tea

Bamboo crafts, embroidery, and panda-themed gifts are easy to find. Jinli and Kuanzhai have the biggest selection but the highest prices. Wenshu Monastery area and local markets are better value. Check quality: loose stitching and uneven embroidery are common at cheap stalls. Shu embroidery is sold at a range of quality levels; a small framed piece costs more than a machine-made scarf.

If you want a panda plush, buy from a reputable store rather than a street vendor. Counterfeit branded goods are common; avoid anything that looks like a luxury brand at a suspiciously low price. Check seams and filling before buying a toy, especially for children.

Supermarkets are best for food souvenirs: cheaper, fresher, and easier to pack. Wenshu Monastery area has tea shops and local snacks. Jinli and Kuanzhai are convenient but touristy. The airport is the most expensive option; buy before you go. Food halls in large malls are a good middle ground.

Bring a foldable bag and bubble wrap for fragile items. If you are buying tea, ask for vacuum sealing. Keep receipts for customs, especially for expensive items. If you buy a tea set, ask the shop to wrap it for checked luggage rather than carrying it through security.

• Supermarkets for food
• Wenshu area for tea and snacks
• Avoid airport prices

Food rules differ by country. The US, Australia, and the EU restrict many plant and meat products, and China also has limits on what you can carry out. Declare what you are carrying, keep receipts, and do not repack powders into unlabeled bags.

Liquids and pastes count toward checked-bag limits, and chili oil leaks. Double-bag sauces, put them in a hard container, and pack them away from clothes. Tea is light and easy; a 250-gram pack is a sensible gift size and fits in hand luggage. Check your airline's rules on powders and liquids before you pack, because enforcement varies by airport and route.

• Declare food and keep receipts
• Double-bag chili oil
• 250 g tea is a good gift size