Beijing: antique markets always crowded

    Beijing wakes up at four every morning, so do the antique markets in the city.

    The book market at Baoguo Temple, one of the oldest of its kind, is still very famous.

    The temple was first built in the Liao Dynasty, and destroyed in the Ming Dynasty. The book market started in 1466 when the reconstruction of the temple had been completed. Today's book market is known as collector's paradise, for its complete collections of unique copies of books, comics, and even cigarette tabs.

    "We do not do business all for money, actually," said a shop owner in the market "Many famous collectors like browsing here, thus we can exchange collections and information with them, and we can also make friends."

    Panjiayuan Antique Market on Dong San Huan Nan Lu, is always crowded, even at 4:30 in the morning, with customers and pedicabmen with their tricycles fully loaded with goods waiting anxiously outside the market. They can't wait to stream into the market to start a day's business.

    "You have to be early if you wish to find some treasure in Panjiayuan," said a customer.

    The market covers an area of 48.5 thousand sqm, with more than 3,000 stalls. It is famous for being the market with the most satisfactory variety of antiques in China. Any collector can find something that his heart desires if he keeps on looking around with enough patience.

    Panjiayuan does not only stand for fortune, but is also a symbol of pride. "More than 80% of antiques in Seoul market are from Panjiayuan." "Antique dealers from Osaka visit Panjiayuan every month." "Mrs. Clinton even came to Panjiayuan out of admiration." Stories like this happens here every day.

    (Source: Chinanews.cn)