The 10 China’s Time-honored Brands
There are a large amount of China’s time-honored brands. Most of them were once prosperous China’s old established firms. And today many of them still enjoy popularity among Chinese consumers. Below is a list of the 10 most famous traditional Chinese old brands.
1. ShanghaiVIVE 双妹 (Cosmetics, Hong Kong, 1898)
Shanghai VIVE, formerly called “Shuang Mei” or “twin sisters.” is an old Shanghai cosmetic brand. Shanghai VIVE was launched in Shanghai in 1898 and was one of the original Shanghainese brands on the international stage, with its “Radiance Restorative Cream” honored with a gold medal at the 1915 Panama World Expo held in San Francisco.
In August 2010, Shanghai Jahwa Company and Fairmont Peace Hotel brought the classic domestic brand back onto shoppers’ radar, after an absence of more than half a century.
2. Zhang Xiaoquan 张小泉 (Scissors, Hangzhou, 1663)
Made since the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1723) in Hangzhou, Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors are reputed as the best scissors in China. More than 300 hundred years ago, the founder of Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors, Zhang Jiasi, adopted the techniques to make Zhejiang Longquan Sword, and innovated the skill of inlaying scissors with steel. The scissors he made was famous far and wide for their tartness and shininess. Zhang Xiaoquan, the son of Zhang Jiasi, inherited his father’s business and established the brand Zhang Xiaoquan.
The Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Factory in Hangzhou was established in 1957, and now, it has developed into the largest scissors manufacturer in China.
3. Tongrentang 同仁堂 (Medicine, Beijing, 1669)
Tongrentang or Tong Ren Tang is a Chinese pharmaceutical company founded in 1669, which is now the largest producer of traditional Chinese medicine.
The company is headquartered in Beijing, and is engaged in both manufacture and retail sales, operating drug stores predominantly in Northeast China.
4. Maotai 茅台 (Liquor, Maotai town, 1704)
Moutai is a famous liquor in China. The distillery was founded in 1704 in Maotai Town, Guizhou Province. It is believed that the town of Maotai possesses a unique climate and vegetation that contributes to the taste of the drink.
Maotai has been used on official occasions in feasts with foreign heads of state and distinguished guests visiting China. It is the only alcoholic beverage presented as an official gift by Chinese embassies in foreign countries and regions.
5. XieFuChun 谢馥春 (Cosmetics, 1830, Yangzhou)
XieFuChun stands as the oldest Chinese skin care company with a 177-year history. The history of this company traces back to the Qing Dynasty when the Xie Fuchun powder shop was founded. XieFuChun has earned a reputation for their high-quality goods.
In 1915, XieFuChun and “Moutai” won the Panama International Exposition award together, solidifying XieFuChun as a force on the international beauty stage.
6. Old Phoenix or Laofengxiang 老凤祥 (Accessories,1848, Shanghai)
Laofengxiang Jewelry Store is a time-honored brand in Shanghai. For all Shanghai residents. Owning a jewelry item bought from Laofengxiang has been a long-lasting, enviable fashion.
Laofengxiang opened business in 1848, and witnessed almost the entirety of Shanghai’s modern history.
7. Quanjude 全聚德 (Food,1864, Beijing)
Quanjude roast duck, a famous historical brand of China, was established in 1864.With its long history, Quanjude roast duck enjoys a high reputation among domestic and overseas consumers for the peculiar roast technique and outstanding quality. It ranks the first in Chinese famous dishes.
8. Changyu 张裕 (Wine,1892, Yantai)
Changyu, located in Shandong Province, is China’s oldest and largest winery. It was started in 1892 by Zhang Bishi. Its wine cellar is regarded the “the wonder of Asia “. Changyu is now the tenth largest wine company in the world.
9. Guanshengyuan 冠生园 (Food, 1915, Shanghai)
Guanshengyuan company was founded in 1918 and is based in Shanghai, China. It was one of the most famous food brands in China. It has two brands “Guanshengyuan” and “White Rabbit”. “White Rabbit” is the most famous candy among Chinese children.
10. Butterfly sewing machines 蝴蝶缝纫机 (Machinery, 1919, Shanghai)
“Butterfly sewing machines” was found in 1919 and became famous in 1980s. Though sewing machines faded in China mainland, Butterfly brand products enjoyed a good reputation in the world market, and its products have been sold into more than 100 countries and regions.
