As the Year of the Loong unfolds, the festive spirit of Chinese New Year fills the air. Throughout the holiday season, popular spots like the Licensed Beijing Gift Store (Bird's Nest), Café by the Forbidden City, Prince Gong's Mansion, as well as the time-honored tea houses and flagship Jing Fan store in Qianmen Dashilan Commercial Street, have witnessed a surge in sales of "Loong-themed cultural and creative products." These items, which seamlessly blend traditional Chinese culture with contemporary creative design, not only convey people's well wishes for the Chinese New Year but also serve as distinctive gifts representing Beijing's essence during the Year of the Loong.

Loong-themed Cultural and Creative Products Sold at Prince Gong's Mansion

Tea Gifts Tailored for the Chinese New Year Unveil Rich Symbolism of Auspiciousness

During Chinese New Year, the Qianmen Dashilan Commercial Street becomes a popular destination, particularly adored by both locals and tourists seeking a taste of ancient charm. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it ranks among the top ten tourist spots (areas) in the city. At the Zhang Yiyuan flagship store, adorned with a striking poster proclaiming "Drink Long Hao Tea in the Year of the Loong" for the Spring Festival, the aroma of tea permeates the air. Sales of Long Hao tea have surged by over 30% year-on-year. The traditional packaging of loose tea has piqued the interest of many customers, prompting them to capture memories through videos.

Just a stone's throw away, at Wuyutai Tea (Qianmen Store), customers patiently line up in front of the ice cream sales window on the first floor, while tea sales on the ground floor and tea pastry sales on the second floor proceed briskly. The specially launched "Yu Loong Celebrating the Chinese New Year" series gift boxes and the porcelain zodiac three-piece cup set designed for the Spring Festival market are particularly sought after. According to the spokesperson of Wuyutai Tea, "Yu Loong" on the packaging shares a similar pronunciation with "Yu Long" (literally jade dragon), depicted amidst auspicious clouds and jasmine flowers while holding a scroll of New Year greetings. The handles of the zodiac cups are inspired by the jade dragon motif from the Neolithic period, symbolizing the nation's ethos of promoting harmony and inclusivity. "These auspicious symbols have been warmly embraced by consumers. Since New Year's Day, over 1,300 sets have been sold nationwide, generating sales exceeding 5 million yuan." This year, Wuyutai Tea has also set up booths at the Ditan Temple Fair, Longtan Temple Fair, and Longtan Zhonghu Temple Fair, where the gift boxes designed for the Year of the Loong are equally popular. "Many elementary students are knowledgeable about tea and even guide their parents in selecting their preferred blends," explained sales staff at one of the temple fairs.

The Dragon Head Cup Sold at Café by the Forbidden City

As the increasing influx of tourists to Beijing, the Spring Festival edition of "Beijing Gifts" is gaining popularity, praised by customers for its blend of aesthetic and practical value, with many noting its exceptional value.