These days, as in the past, it's the people living and working here who are the guardians and torch-bearers of the street. Mostly artisans, they spend their days painting and carving, knowing perfectly well that demand for their art is not very high.
But it's this unique way of living, far from the hustle and bustle, that holds the charm. Here you find things you'll never see on Beijing's crowded rows of shops.
And they remind you that this is the antique street, a place like no other.
If you have ever wondered, like I often do, how much this ancient city holds on to its past, then Liulichang is the place to go. The story of this street needs more than books to tell.
Liulichang is a place where you certainly can buy antiques. But it's also a living museum of Chinese history and culture. If you're here for the Olympics and want to take home a souvenir of ancient China, you'll definitely want to come here - to visit Liulichang street.
Major Antique Markets in Beijing
LIULICHANG STREET
ADDRESS: NANXINHUA STREET, XUANWU DISTRICT,
OPENING HOURS: 10:00-18:00
PANJIAYUAN ANTIQUE MARKET
ADDRESS: NO18, PANJIAYUAN LU,CHAOYANG DISTRICT
OPENING HOURS: 8:30-16:30
BAOGUOSI CULTURE MARKET
ADDRESS: GUANANMENNEI STREET, XUANWU DISTRICT
OPENING HOUR: 9:00-17:00
BEIJING ANTIQUE CITY
ADDRESS:NO21, DONGSANHUAN NALU,CHAOYANG DISTRICT
OPENING HOURS:10:00-18:00
BEIJING PEARL MARKET
ADDRESS: NO46, TIANAN DONLU,CHONGWEN DISTRICT
OPENINGN HOURS:10:00-18:00
(CCTV September 10, 2008)
