Worth finding
Zhangxiaoquan Scissors (张小泉剪刀)
Scissors from the 1663 heritage brand — famously sharp, practical, and a genuinely useful souvenir.
Should you buy it?
Good for
- Practical shoppers — a souvenir you'll actually use for years
- Gift buyers — the heritage gift sets are handsome
- Cooks and crafters — the kitchen and embroidery scissors are excellent
Not for
- Carry-on-only travelers — scissors must go in checked luggage
- Travelers with no checked bag — skip this one
Why it is worth considering
Zhangxiaoquan (张小泉) has been making scissors in Hangzhou since 1663 — over 350 years — and the brand is still the default quality scissor in Chinese households. For visitors, the appeal is practical: beautifully made household, kitchen, or embroidery scissors that actually get used back home, at prices far below European equivalents. Gift sets in traditional packaging make good presents.
The Hefang Street area hosts the brand's presence; buy from brand shops, not lookalike stalls. Note: scissors go in CHECKED luggage, never carry-on.
Price
Price varies — check in store
We have not verified a current price for this item.
Before you buy, check
- Buy from brand shops — lookalike 'Zhangxiaoquan-style' stalls sell inferior copies
- Match the scissor to the job: kitchen, household, and embroidery scissors differ
- Test the action in the shop — quality scissors cut cleanly with no grinding
- Gift sets cost more but are presentation-ready
Good to know
- PACK IN CHECKED LUGGAGE ONLY — scissors are confiscated from carry-on bags
- Oil the hinge lightly before long storage
Where to buy
Hefang Street (河坊街)
StreetBrand shops on the historic street — the natural place to buy
杭州市上城区河坊街
Sources
- 河坊街 — Wikipedia (checked 2026-10-10)
Recommendation checked 2026-10-10.