Entering Beijing Brother Tobacco Pipe near the Phoenix Palace Hotel, I couldn’t help but notice the special fragrance floating in the air.

“That is the smell of tobacco, not the pipe. We give complimentary tobacco to those who purchase high-grade pipes in our shop,” Mr Liu, the owner, said.
Liu divided the pipes in his shop into home-made and imported pipes.

He told me about the popular Turkish Sepiolite pipe (RMB 3000) and the famous Italian Lepipe Di Viprati (RMB 7500).

Most of the high-grade pipes here are imported from Mediterranean countries, where production of tobacco pipe is world famous.

Handmade pipes from Beijing, though, are both much cheaper and feel more artistic.

I liked the pipe in the shape of a Chinese dragon shape, which only cost RMB 150. If you just want a simple pipe, some can be had for as low as RMB 30.

The shop owner speaks little English and bargaining is possible.