The Chinese cigarette brands we carry, and what each one is for

Chinese brands split by social function rather than by strength. A handful are presentation cartons handed over at weddings, New Year visits and business handovers. The rest are everyday smokes at a domestic price. Buying blind, the function matters more than the tobacco.

Presentation cartons

Chunghwa is the benchmark — the carton a Chinese recipient recognises without explanation. Panda is scarcer and more overtly a gift. Diaoyutai is cloisonné-enamelled and sold as an object. Su Yan and Renmindahuitang sit in the same tier at lower prices.

Everyday cartons

Hongtashan, Liqun, Baisha, Yunyan and Huanghelou are what people actually smoke. Full flavour, lower price, no presentation box.

Lighter and slim

Changbaishan 777 is a low-tar smoke; Zhongnanhai is slim and mild. Both suit somebody stepping down from full flavour.

Where the naming comes from

Most of these are province-named: Yunnan for Hongtashan, Yunyan and Yuxi; Hubei for Huanghelou; Jilin for Changbaishan; Shandong for Su Yan. Brands are licensed to the provincial CNTC arm, which is why a brand that reads as regional to a Chinese buyer reads as arbitrary here. Chunghwa and Zhongnanhai come from Shanghai; Panda from the same house.

New to it? Order a single pack first; the pack variant is on every listing.