Chinese Candy and Traditional Sweets: What to Try and Buy in China

Chinese candy offers much more than familiar packaged sweets. From creamy milk candy and tangy haw flakes to sesame brittle, malt sugar and delicate strands of dragon beard candy, traditional Chinese sweets reveal a fascinating mix of flavors, textures and regional food traditions.

Some are everyday snacks found in supermarkets and convenience stores. Others are handmade by specialist confectioners, sold in traditional shops or prepared fresh at local markets. Many also make memorable souvenirs, especially when you want to bring home something that reflects the places you visited in China.

For international travelers, trying Chinese candy is an easy way to explore everyday food culture. You can sample local sweets while walking through a historic neighborhood, browse regional specialties at a traditional market or choose a small assortment of packaged treats to share with friends and family.

This guide introduces 10 traditional Chinese candies and sweet treats worth knowing, explains their ingredients and flavors, and shares practical advice on where to find them, how to choose them and what to consider before bringing them home.

What Is Chinese Candy Like?

There is no single style of Chinese candy. Traditional Chinese confectionery includes creamy, fruity, tart, nutty, chewy and crisp varieties. Recipes may use malt sugar, sesame, peanuts, hawthorn fruit, ginger, preserved fruit and other ingredients. Modern confectionery also includes chocolate, fruit-flavored candy and contemporary packaged sweets.

A useful way to explore Chinese sweets is to think about their textures and flavor profiles rather than sweetness alone.

• Creamy and milky: Soft or chewy milk candies with a mellow, rich flavor.
• Fruity and tangy: Hawthorn-based treats and preserved fruits that balance sweetness with acidity.
• Nutty and crisp: Sesame and peanut confections made with toasted ingredients and caramelized sugar.
• Chewy and malt-like: Traditional sweets prepared with maltose or other sugar syrups.
• Delicate and aromatic: Handmade sugar confections and sweets flavored with ingredients such as ginger or sesame.

These categories can overlap, and recipes vary by brand, region and maker. The best way to discover Chinese candy is to try a few different varieties and see which flavors and textures you enjoy most.

10 Traditional Chinese Candies and Sweets to Try

1. White Rabbit Milk Candy (大白兔奶糖)

Chinese name: 大白兔奶糖 (Dàbáitù nǎitáng)

White Rabbit milk candy is one of China's best-known packaged sweets. Recognizable by its rabbit branding and individually wrapped pieces, it has long been associated with everyday snacking and childhood memories for generations of Chinese consumers.

The candy is known for its creamy milk flavor and chewy texture. Classic pieces are traditionally wrapped in a printed outer wrapper, with a thin edible rice-paper-like layer forming part of the familiar presentation.

What does White Rabbit candy taste like?

Expect a sweet, creamy milk flavor and a texture that gradually softens as you chew. It is a good starting point if you prefer familiar confectionery flavors rather than sharp fruit, strong ginger or more unusual traditional ingredients.

Where can you buy White Rabbit candy?

Look for packaged milk candy in supermarkets, convenience stores, snack shops and gift stores. Shanghai is particularly associated with the brand, although White Rabbit products are widely available in other Chinese cities. Packaging and product varieties may differ, so check the label for the exact ingredients.

Is White Rabbit candy a good souvenir?

Yes. Its recognizable packaging, compact size and individually wrapped pieces make it an easy sweet to share with friends and family. It is also a simple introduction to modern Chinese confectionery culture.

Buying tip: Check the ingredient and allergen information before purchasing. Milk candy contains dairy, and some varieties may include additional ingredients that matter for specific dietary requirements.

2. Haw Flakes (山楂片)

Chinese name: 山楂片 (shānzhā piàn)

Haw flakes are thin, round pieces of fruit-based confectionery made primarily from Chinese hawthorn. They are often sold in small stacked packages or rolls and are recognizable by their pinkish-brown color.

Hawthorn has a naturally tart fruit flavor, so haw flakes taste quite different from the creamy sweetness of milk candy.

What do haw flakes taste like?

The flavor is fruity and tangy, with sweetness balancing the fruit's natural acidity. Their texture is generally dry and compact, and the pieces gradually soften as they dissolve in the mouth.

If you enjoy fruit-based sweets or prefer a little acidity to balance sweetness, haw flakes are worth trying.

Where can you find haw flakes?

Haw flakes may be available in supermarkets, traditional snack stores and shops selling packaged Chinese treats. Some products combine hawthorn with other ingredients, so read the packaging if you are looking for a particular flavor or texture.

Haw flakes vs. tanghulu: What's the difference?

Haw flakes and tanghulu both feature hawthorn in familiar versions, but they are very different Chinese sweets.

• Haw flakes: Thin, compact pieces of fruit-based confectionery, usually sold in packaged rolls or stacks.
• Tanghulu: Fruit coated in a hardened sugar shell and commonly served on a skewer. Hawthorn berries are a traditional choice, although other fruits are also used.

Haw flakes are convenient packaged snacks, while tanghulu is often enjoyed fresh from a street vendor. For more ideas on what to eat while exploring China, read our Chinese Snack Guide.

3. Sesame Candy (芝麻糖)

Chinese name: 芝麻糖 (zhīma táng)

Sesame candy combines toasted sesame seeds with a sweet binding syrup. Depending on the recipe, it may be presented as a thin brittle slab, a rectangular bar or a softer, more compact confection.

Sesame is widely used in Chinese sweet and savory cooking. Its roasted aroma makes it a natural partner for caramelized sugar, creating a simple but distinctive traditional treat.

What does sesame candy taste like?

The dominant flavor is nutty and toasted, balanced by sweetness from the syrup. Crisp versions break cleanly, while thicker varieties can be denser and more brittle.

Sesame candy is a good choice for travelers who enjoy nut brittle, seed bars or sweets with a pronounced roasted flavor.

How should you choose sesame candy?

Look for pieces that are intact and properly sealed. If you prefer a crisp texture, choose a product presented as brittle rather than a softer sesame confection.

Allergy note: Sesame is a major food allergen. Always check the ingredients and allergen statement, particularly when buying unpackaged sweets or products made in small workshops.

4. Peanut Brittle (花生糖)

Chinese name: 花生糖 (huāshēng táng)

Chinese peanut candy is made in many regional and local styles. A common version combines roasted peanuts with cooked sugar syrup to form a crunchy slab or bar that can be broken into smaller pieces.

The recipe is simple, but the balance between toasted peanuts and the sweet coating gives this traditional confection its distinctive flavor.

What does Chinese peanut brittle taste like?

Peanut brittle is crunchy, sweet and roasted. The peanut flavor usually comes through clearly, making it a good choice for people who enjoy nut-based confections.

Some varieties are thin and crisp, while others are thicker or more compact. The exact texture depends on the preparation method and the ratio of peanuts to syrup.

Where can you buy peanut candy in China?

Traditional confectionery shops, local markets and regional specialty stores may sell peanut candy alongside sesame sweets, malt sugar and other handmade treats.

When purchasing a handmade version, ask about the ingredients and storage instructions. Sugar-based confections can become sticky in humid conditions, while brittle varieties may break during travel.

Allergy note: Peanut candy is not suitable for people with peanut allergies. Anyone with a serious allergy should not rely solely on a product's appearance or a vendor's informal description.

5. Dragon Beard Candy (龙须糖)

Chinese name: 龙须糖 (lóng xū táng)

Dragon beard candy is a traditional confectionery known for the craft of stretching sugar into extremely fine strands. Its name refers to the delicate, hair-like appearance of the finished sweet.

The process involves repeatedly stretching and folding a prepared sugar mass until it forms many fine threads. The strands are then gathered around a filling or coating, which may include ground peanuts, sesame or coconut, depending on the maker.

What does dragon beard candy taste like?

Dragon beard candy is delicate and lightly crisp at first, with a texture that can soften quickly in the mouth. The filling often contributes a nutty flavor and additional sweetness.

Unlike a conventional hard candy, dragon beard candy is appreciated as much for its fine texture and craftsmanship as for its flavor.

Why is dragon beard candy interesting for travelers?

Watching a confectioner prepare dragon beard candy can be part of the experience. The repeated stretching technique transforms a simple sweet into a demonstration of traditional food craftsmanship.

Availability varies by city and shop. If you see it being made at a market or specialty store, ask whether the pieces are prepared fresh and how soon they should be eaten.

How should you store dragon beard candy?

Its fine sugar strands are delicate and may be affected by moisture. Follow the seller's storage advice and avoid crushing the package in a suitcase. If the candy contains peanuts, sesame or other fillings, check the ingredients before tasting.

6. Malt Sugar Candy (麦芽糖)

Chinese name: 麦芽糖 (màiyátáng)

Malt sugar is associated with a range of traditional Chinese sweets. Depending on the preparation, it can appear as a thick, sticky syrup, a soft candy or a firmer confection.

Unlike a simple hard fruit candy, malt-sugar treats are often valued for their dense texture and characteristic mellow, caramel-like flavor.

What does malt sugar candy taste like?

The flavor is usually mellow, malty and sweet. The texture can range from sticky and elastic to firm, depending on the product and preparation method.

Some traditional vendors use malt sugar as a base for other confections, while packaged products may combine it with additional ingredients.

What should you look for?

If you want to try a traditional version, look for a shop that can explain how its candy is made. In a market setting, you may encounter products that are prepared or shaped in front of customers.

Because product names and recipes vary, ask about the main ingredients if you have dietary restrictions.

7. Ginger Candy (姜糖)

Chinese name: 姜糖 (jiāng táng)

Ginger candy combines sweetness with the distinctive warmth of ginger. It may be soft and chewy, firm and crystallized, or made with a syrupy center.

The exact flavor depends on how much ginger is used and whether the recipe includes additional ingredients.

What does ginger candy taste like?

Ginger candy often begins with sweetness and develops a warming, slightly sharp flavor. Stronger versions can be quite intense, while milder varieties taste more like a sweet ginger confection.

It is a useful choice for travelers who enjoy ginger biscuits, ginger chews or other sweets with a spicy aromatic note.

How should you buy ginger candy?

Read the label to understand whether the product is primarily ginger-flavored sugar, a chewy confection or a preserved ginger product. These categories can have different textures and ingredient profiles.

Do not assume that ginger candy has medicinal benefits simply because it contains ginger. Treat it as a confectionery product and follow the manufacturer's ingredient and serving information.

8. Preserved Fruits (蜜饯)

Chinese name: 蜜饯 (mìjiàn)

Preserved fruit is a broad category that includes fruits prepared with sugar, salt or other seasonings. Depending on the fruit and preservation method, the result can be sweet, sour, salty, chewy or relatively dry.

Common varieties include preserved plums, apricots, tangerine peel and other fruits. The range is wide, and local products can have distinctive combinations of flavor and texture.

What do Chinese preserved fruits taste like?

Some are sweet and fruity, while others are strongly tart or have a salty-sour finish. Certain varieties are chewy and moist; others are firmer or drier.

If you usually prefer less sugary sweets, try a small amount first. A preserved plum may taste very different from a conventional fruit gummy or candied fruit.

How should you choose preserved fruit?

Check the packaging for the fruit type, added sugar, salt and other seasonings. When buying from an open display, ask how the product is stored and whether it is sold by weight.

Preserved fruit can be a convenient travel snack, but sealed, clearly labeled products are often easier to store and transport than unpackaged varieties.

9. Chinese Rock Sugar (冰糖)

Chinese name: 冰糖 (bīngtáng)

Rock sugar consists of larger sugar crystals and is commonly used in Chinese cooking and sweet preparations. It is not always eaten as a standalone candy, but it belongs to the wider world of traditional Chinese sweet ingredients.

Rock sugar may be used in sweet soups, drinks, preserved fruit preparations and certain braised dishes. Its role depends on the recipe.

Is rock sugar the same as candy?

Not exactly. Rock sugar is primarily a form of sugar used as an ingredient. However, it is useful to know about when exploring Chinese sweets because it appears in recipes and packaged products associated with traditional food culture.

If you are shopping for sweets to eat directly, distinguish rock sugar sold as a cooking ingredient from ready-to-eat confectionery.

10. Tanghulu (糖葫芦): A Classic Chinese Street Sweet

Chinese name: 糖葫芦 (tánghúlu)

Tanghulu is one of the most recognizable traditional Chinese street sweets. It consists of fruit coated in a hardened sugar shell and served on a skewer. Hawthorn berries are a familiar traditional choice, although strawberries, grapes and other fruits may also be used.

Unlike packaged candy, tanghulu is often purchased fresh from street vendors. Its appeal comes from the contrast between the crisp sugar coating and the fruit inside.

What does tanghulu taste like?

The outside is sweet and crunchy, while the fruit provides a contrasting flavor. Traditional hawthorn tanghulu is often pleasantly tart beneath its sugar coating.

Where can you try tanghulu?

You may encounter tanghulu at street markets, snack stalls and traditional food streets in different Chinese cities. Beijing is particularly associated with this familiar street snack.

Because tanghulu is usually made with fresh fruit and a crisp sugar coating, it is best enjoyed shortly after purchase rather than treated as a long-distance souvenir.

Chinese Candies and Sweets by Region

China's confectionery traditions are diverse. Some products are strongly associated with a particular city or local craft, while others are available nationwide in different versions. Exploring local sweets can be a simple way to discover the ingredients, food habits and everyday culture of different destinations.

The following table is a practical starting point rather than a definitive map of where every sweet originated.

These examples combine packaged confectionery with fresh street sweets and traditional craft products. They are not interchangeable categories: a wrapped milk candy is easy to carry, while freshly made dragon beard candy may be more delicate.

Shanghai: Packaged Sweets and Food Memories

Shanghai is a useful place to look for familiar packaged sweets, including White Rabbit milk candy. The city also has a wider tradition of sweet snacks, pastries and seasonal treats.

Confectionery shops and supermarkets offer an easy way to compare products, read labels and choose gifts in different sizes. To explore more of the city, start with our China Travel Guide and discover the destinations and cultural experiences available across the country.

Beijing: Traditional Street Sweets

In Beijing, tanghulu is a recognizable sweet street snack, traditionally made with hawthorn berries coated in a crisp sugar shell. Other sweet snacks and regional pastries can also be found in local shops and markets.

Tanghulu is best understood as a fresh street treat rather than a packaged candy. If you want to bring it home, consider the practical challenges of a hard sugar coating, fresh fruit and changing temperatures.

For a broader introduction to the city's neighborhoods, food and attractions, read our Beijing Travel Guide.

Eastern China: Floral and Regional Sweet Flavors

In parts of eastern China, osmanthus is used in cakes, sweet soups and other desserts. Some regional confectionery also draws on rice, seeds, fruit and traditional sugar preparations.

These products overlap with the broader category of Chinese desserts, but their aromas and textures help explain how local ingredients shape regional sweets. For more background, see our Guide to Chinese Desserts.

Chinese Candy vs. Chinese Desserts: What's the Difference?

The terms can overlap, but they are useful for describing different kinds of sweet food.

Chinese candy and confectionery usually refers to sweets that are packaged, individually portioned, formed from sugar or made to be carried as snacks. Examples include milk candy, haw flakes, sesame brittle and ginger candy.

Chinese desserts are a broader category of sweet dishes and treats, including tangyuan, sweet soups, milk puddings, pastries and other dishes that may be served after a meal or enjoyed as a snack.

Some foods fit both categories. Tanghulu, for example, is a sweet street snack made from fruit and hardened sugar. A bowl of red bean soup, however, is more naturally described as a dessert than a candy.

For a wider introduction to sweet dishes in China, explore our Chinese Desserts Guide.

How to Buy Chinese Sweets as Travel Souvenirs

Chinese candy can make a compact and easy-to-share souvenir, but the best choice depends on how far you are traveling and how you plan to pack it.

Choose packaged sweets for longer journeys

Individually wrapped candy and sealed boxes are generally easier to transport than unpackaged or freshly made confections.

Look for a clear ingredient list, intact packaging and storage instructions. If you are buying gifts for other people, a variety pack can be a good way to introduce different flavors.

Match the sweet to the recipient

• For someone who likes creamy candy: Consider milk candy.
• For someone who enjoys tangy fruit flavors: Try haw flakes or a suitable preserved-fruit product.
• For someone who likes crunchy snacks: Look for sesame candy or peanut brittle.
• For someone interested in traditional craftsmanship: Freshly made dragon beard candy may be an interesting experience.
• For someone who prefers aromatic flavors: Consider ginger candy or a regional sweet flavored with osmanthus.

These are suggestions, not guarantees of dietary suitability. Check ingredients and allergens before buying sweets for other people.

Check the label before you buy

Packaging can tell you the product name, ingredients, manufacturer, net weight, shelf life and storage instructions.

If you need to avoid milk, peanuts, sesame, gluten or other ingredients, read the label carefully. Translations may be incomplete, and unpackaged products can be harder to verify.

Think about heat, humidity and fragility

Hard candy and individually wrapped sweets are often easier to pack than delicate sugar confections. Peanut brittle can break, while fine-strand sweets may be sensitive to moisture.

Keep sweets sealed and follow the product's storage instructions. Avoid leaving chocolate or other heat-sensitive confectionery in a hot car or exposed to direct sunlight.

Check the food-import rules for your destination

Food import rules vary by country. Before taking food home, check your destination's official customs and food-import guidance, especially for products containing dairy, nuts, fruit or other agricultural ingredients.

Do not assume that a sealed package is automatically permitted. Keep the original label and packaging intact whenever possible.

Useful Chinese Phrases for Buying Sweets

A few simple Chinese phrases can make it easier to browse a confectionery shop or traditional market.

The final question can help you start a conversation with a seller, but it does not replace checking your destination's official food-import rules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Candy

What are some famous Chinese candies?

White Rabbit milk candy is one of the best-known examples of Chinese candy. Other traditional sweets worth exploring include haw flakes, sesame candy, peanut brittle, malt-sugar treats, ginger candy and dragon beard candy. Availability and recipes vary by region and producer.

What is White Rabbit candy?

White Rabbit is a well-known Chinese milk candy with a creamy flavor and chewy texture. It is commonly sold in individually wrapped pieces and is often chosen as a small gift or nostalgic snack.

What are haw flakes made from?

Haw flakes are fruit-based confectionery made primarily from Chinese hawthorn. They are typically thin, round and compact, with a sweet-and-tangy flavor. Check individual product labels for the full ingredient list.

Is tanghulu a type of Chinese candy?

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese sweet street snack made by coating fruit, commonly hawthorn berries, with hardened sugar syrup. It is related to the broader world of Chinese sweets but is usually enjoyed as fruit on a skewer rather than as packaged candy.

Which Chinese sweets are good souvenirs?

Packaged milk candy, haw flakes, sesame candy and sealed varieties of preserved fruit can be practical options. The best choice depends on the recipient's tastes, ingredient restrictions, packaging and your destination's food-import rules.

Are Chinese candies suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Some may be, but ingredients differ widely. Milk candy contains dairy, while other products may contain gelatin, honey, dairy ingredients or additives that do not meet a particular diet. Check the label and contact the manufacturer if you need certainty.

Do Chinese sweets contain common allergens?

Some Chinese sweets contain milk, peanuts, sesame, soy, wheat or other allergens. Handmade and unpackaged products may provide less detailed information about ingredients or cross-contact. Anyone with a serious allergy should be especially cautious.

Are traditional Chinese sweets always very sweet?

No. Some are intensely sugary, while others combine sweetness with tart fruit, roasted sesame, ginger or other aromatic flavors. Try a small portion first to see which styles you enjoy.

Where can I buy traditional Chinese candy?

Traditional Chinese candy can be found in supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty confectionery shops, local markets and tourist shopping areas. Packaged products are generally easier to identify and transport, while handmade sweets offer a closer look at local food craftsmanship.

Discover China's Sweet Side with Sunda Travel

Chinese candy and traditional sweets offer a small but memorable way to explore the country's everyday food culture. A piece of milk candy, a tangy haw flake or a freshly made traditional confection can introduce you to ingredients, techniques and memories closely connected with local life.

The experience becomes richer when you discover sweets in context: browsing a neighborhood shop, visiting a traditional market, learning about a city's food traditions or comparing regional specialties during a journey through China.

Continue exploring China's food culture with our Chinese Desserts Guide, Chinese Snack Guide and Guide to Chinese Regional Cuisines.

If you want to explore China's food traditions alongside its historic cities, landscapes and cultural experiences, start with our China Travel Guide or discover our Tailor-Made China Tours.

Sometimes the smallest souvenirs carry the sweetest memories. Let China's traditional sweets be one more way to discover the places, people and flavors that make your journey unique.

Note: Chinese candy names, ingredients and recipes vary by brand, region and producer. Always check product labels, allergen information, storage instructions and your destination's food-import requirements before purchasing or transporting sweets.