In Panjiayuan Market, one of the largest markets for arts and crafts in China, you can find it all: everything from snuff bottles made in Hengshui to stone carvings from Quyang; embroidery made in Jiangsu to wood carvings from Dongyang; porcelain and crystal ornaments from Jiangxi to shadow puppets from Shandong. The only problem might be cramming all your purchases into a single luggage set for the trip home.

More than 4,000 shops and nearly 10,000 dealers barter handicrafts at the market, popularly known as the ‘dirt market‘, before distributing goods all over the world.

Other interesting items include ancient-style furniture, traditional stationery, calligraphic works, old books, foreign coins, bone carvings and relics of the ’cultural revolution‘ (1966-76). Of course, some artifacts aren't genuine antiques, but will still make excellent home decorations or mementos of your time in Beijing.

This spontaneous swap meet came into being in 1992 as a roadside market. With trade in traditional Chinese handiworks booming, it gradually grew and grew. Many Chinese antique collectors admit that they started their career in Panjiayuan. Today the place is a popular tourist destination.

To celebrate the opening of Beijing Olympic Games, the market is now holding a grand exhibition of Olympic-related souvenirs, which include various collectible and historical items.

Mornings are the best time to see the market in full bustle, but many believe prices drop towards the end of the day.

Xiao Changyan

Address: 18 Huaweili, Chaoyang district, in the southeast corner of the Third Ring Road, just east of Longtan Park 朝阳区华威里18号,东南三环龙潭公园东面

Tel: 6774-1869

(China Daily August 22, 2008)