Culture insider: 18 Chinese gifts for family and friends

Peking Opera masks

Peking Opera is a Chinese national treasure and the makeup, which actors wear, is a necessary element of it.

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a man surnamed Gui, who was a big fan of Peking Opera and from a noble family, came up with the idea of combining clay making and Peking Opera masks. Since then, clay Peking Opera masks have become a popular gift among families and friends.

Peking Opera masks have different roles and are decorated to represent distinguishing features and personalities.

[Photo/taopic.com]