When you have your China flights booked and Travel to Beijing, there are lots of markets available for you to visit but make sure that you go to Panjiayuan antique market to pick up a real bargain. This market is situated west of Panjiayuan Bridge and south of the east third ring road, therefore, it makes the Panjiayuan market very accessible. The main trade areas of the market are antiques and arts and crafts. The reputation that this market has is that it is the most inexpensive antique market in Beijing which in turn attracts foreign and domestic tourists.

This is the perfect place for bargain hunters are there a number of stalls that all sell similar items. The market takes up 4.85 hectares which is home to over 3000 stalls. This makes it the largest antiques market of its kind in China and Asia. The main transactions in the market are second-hand goods, arts and crafts and of course antique. There is also other items on offer such as antique furniture imitations, old books and paintings, ancient Chinese and foreign coins, a wide range of Chinese opera masks and much much more. Panjiayuan market is truly packed to the brim with Chinese traditional culture.

The market itself is split up into 6 different sections. In the western part of the market it is an open air area and this is where large stone sculptures are sold out of the back of vans. Next to the open aired area is a two-storey building that sells traditional and modern furniture. The middle section of the market consists of a semi-covered area; however, it is only open on weekends. South of the market, there is a narrow lane and this is where second-hand books and ancient scrolls are available. The eastern park is where you will find other artefacts and ancient arts in a big yard. The indoor stalls is where you find the highest class antiques and the more exquisite and expensive items. These stalls surround the market on the north and east.

It is important to be able to tell the difference if a piece of furniture is really an antique. Here are some tips you can use when you visit the Panjiayuan market:

• Lift it. An authentic antique, made of hard wood, will be considerable heavier than a new piece of furniture
• Knock on it. There are different sounds between an antique and new piece. A fake piece of furniture will generally emit a cleaner and harsher sound as it is usually thinner compared to an antique
• Feel it. If the piece of furniture is truly an antique then it will have a finer texture compared to most replicas.

Opening times:

8.30 – 18.30 – Monday to Friday

4.30 – 18.30 – Saturday and Sunday

So if you want to go to a market that packed with traditional Chinese culture than make sure you book your china travel to experience this wonderful market.

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