What local products should I bring home from Luoyang, and which ones keep well?

[Direct conclusion] What travels well from Luoyang falls into three groups. Short-shelf-life pastries such as peony cakes, dry goods such as sweet potato noodles and mountain vegetables, and properly packaged liquor. Glazed pottery and peony porcelain are attractive but fragile and should only be carried if you are driving. Loose cooked food and unlabelled local products are not worth the risk of spoiling on the way home. Three questions decide whether something is worth buying: how many days will it keep, can it go on a train or a plane, and how much would it hurt if it broke. How to go about it: 1. Buy pastries at the end of the trip, not the beginning, and give them away or eat them the day you get home. 2. Choose prepackaged products with a production date, shelf life and ingredient list. Loose items weighed out at a stall are not suited to long journeys. 3. Separate by type. Dry goods and liquor can go in checked luggage; fragile crafts need foam and clothing around them and are better kept with you. 4. Check the rules. Alcohol has volume and strength limits that differ between air and rail, so ask before buying rather than at the security gate. 5. Buy pastries by headcount. Buying more than people can eat means throwing them away. 6. Keep the receipt at established shops so there is something to fall back on if quality is an issue. 7. Avoid the roaming stalls at scenic area entrances. Prices and quality are both unpredictable, and a local supermarket is a better bet. Q: How long do peony cakes keep? A: Whatever the pack says, usually a few days to two weeks. Check the production date and avoid short-dated stock. In hot weather a sealed bag with an ice pack buys a little time but the texture suffers. Q: Can I take them on a plane? A: Dry goods, pastries and prepackaged food are generally fine. Alcohol has to be checked in and is subject to strength limits, and liquid sauces above the carry-on allowance must be checked. Follow the airline's current rules. Q: Where is a reliable place to buy? A: Local chain supermarkets, established old-brand shops and the specialty sections of proper malls. Scenic area stalls are fine for a small packet to taste, not for bulk buying. Q: What makes a good gift? A: On a small budget, sweet potato noodles and mountain vegetables are practical and suit almost anyone. Mid-range, a peony cake gift box looks presentable. If you want something with weight, Du Kang liquor works. Crafts only if you know the person collects them. Q: What if I buy too much? A: Courier offices are common in the city and around scenic areas, and craft shops will pack and ship directly with foam and wooden frames. For food, check the transit time: if it takes two or three days across provinces, do not ship short-life pastries.