Like food in Beijing, the city's pastry is also the product that has absorbed the influences of refreshments from many other regions in China. Some refreshments are meant for particular holidays in tradition, such as moon cakes, which is a sweet snack for the Moon Festival, a holiday Chinese celebrating the family's reunion in mid-autumn every year

Where to eat
The most authentic Beijing pastry could be found at Dao Xiang Cun, a legendary name in the city. Xiang Ju Gong and Da Shun Zhai are two famous shops selling pastry of Muslims. The most famous refreshment brand that highlights the imperial recipes is Zheng Ming Zhai, available today in both Beijing's tea houses and supermarkets.
 

Traditional refreshments
The most common refreshments in China can be found in Beijing. And they can be divided into two kinds.

Beijing refreshments are wrapped into a set of eight large or small packages when they are taken as a present. In these eight packages, hawthorn, roses, plums, sugar, bean paste, jujube paste, salt pepper and raisins are made as stuffing of the refreshments.

The elaborate and various appearances will catch your eyes at once. And the high qualities will make you eat one by one without hesitation in a short time, so take care, the weight-conscious.
 

A good choice as a gift
When Chinese people want to take part in a formal occasion, such as Wedding and Spring Festival visiting, they will buy a set of eight large or small packages or both of them.

So, if you are confused about which souvenir you should carry back to your friends and relatives they are sure to enjoy Beijing refreshment as a gift. (check your country's quarantine and customs regulations first, of course)