Historic Chinese incense relied heavily on sandalwood, agarwood (chenxiang), clove, cassia and camphor, many of which arrived via long trade routes rather than growing locally, making fine incense a genuine luxury good.

Prized Woods and Resins

Agarwood held a similar elevated status in China as it did across the Middle East and Japan, valued for its complex, resinous depth. Sandalwood was another mainstay, prized for its soft, creamy warmth, while camphor and borneol contributed a cooling, medicinal sharpness that Chinese incense blenders used to balance heavier, sweeter materials.

Spices and Trade Routes

Clove and cassia (a relative of cinnamon) added warmth and spice, and much of this material moved along the Silk Road and maritime spice routes from Southeast Asia, India and beyond, meaning access to good incense reflected trade connections as much as local resources. This exchange of aromatic materials across Asia mirrors how oud and other resins moved along Middle Eastern trade routes too. Our history of perfume guide and complete guide to perfume cover more of this shared history.