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)