China

Carpets. Khotan, a city in the northwest of China, is famed for its carpets, silk, and white jade. Visit the town's carpet factory to watch workers while they weave the carpets. Bargain prices are available at the factory, as well as in the shop in town.

Porcelain. Jingdezhen has a long history in ceramics, producing pieces since the Eastern Han dynasty. The city is still the country's leading manufacturer of ceramics, with a majority of its population connected to the industry. Porcelain is sold everywhere in the city. At the Ancient Pottery Factory, you can watch craftsmen demonstrate traditional molding and baking techniques, popular during the Qing and Ming dynasties.

Jade Carvings. The South Jade Carving Factory (tel. +86 [0] 20 8138 8040) in Guangzhou offers a wide variety of jade and jadeite products at reasonable prices. On the second floor, visitors can watch jade being carved.

Made-to-order. Beijing tailors can fashion bespoke suits, shirts, jackets, and dresses in as little as three or four days. Fourth floor of the Yaxiu mall.

Pearls. The Hongqiao market in Beijing has several floors of freshwater, seawater, cultured, black, pink, and ivory pearls.