Six of the best: Artisanal chocolates

The Garden Hotel, Guangzhou
With shocking flavors of wasabi, chili, brandy and pistachio, these gourmet chocolates will rock your senses and leave you plenty warm this holiday season. RMB9/piece. // Listing.

Godiva
While it is a chain, no other shop in Guangzhou offers a wider selection of truffle gift boxes (RMB158/box of six), chocolate-dipped fruit, silky Chocolixers (RMB35) and dark hot cocoa (RMB165/410 grams). // Listing.

Awfully Chocolate
Trumping all competition with handcrafted champagne and Kahlua truffles, it’s easy to get carried away with these awfully tempting – and spirited – delights. RMB67-73/100 grams. // Listing.

Twin Oaks
Offering elegant 15-piece Nama chocolate gift boxes (RMB138) in addition to purchases by weight (RMB0.8/gram), this native Guangzhou brand satisfies taste buds with classic truffles and colorful rose-shaped chocolates. // Listing.

Mvuke Tokyo
Founded in 2011, this Shanghai sweets company sells heavenly brownie-like truffles in milk, white, dark and maccha flavors. Handcrafted by Japanese chocolatiers, each piece includes 100 percent imported ingredients. RMB100/box of 20. // Listing.

Cheris Patisserie
Handmade by a French baker who opened a Swiss chocolate shop in Dongguan, these mouth-watering treats come in gift bags of almond white chocolate clusters (RMB42), blueberry and coconut dark chocolate bark (RMB62) and hazelnut truffles (RMB15/piece). // Listing.