Reina
We chose your company above others because of your prompt and efficient system on email - You gave us everything and more that we wanted to do and see in China on our guided tour of Beijing and Xian - Without our guide in China we would have been lost both against language barrier and places to see.Our guide Peter and his driver Mr Leo were both courteous and polite and made our trip fantastic. With a family of six with two children and two elderly parents this trip was both educational and entertaining whilst enjoying and was worth every penny. Pass on our thanks to Peter as we now have arrived back in UK today safe and well after our relaxing stay on Hainan Island.
If you wish I have no hessitation in recommending your company to any other English family who wish to make the trip to China - Unforgettable!!
Thankyou from the bottom of our hearts.
Steve Karen Daniel Aimee Joan and Graham Smith - England
Do you want to enjoy a totally new antiquing experience in Beijing? Beijing is a grand hunting ground for collectibles of every type, from early antique items right on up to modern day collectibles. Take our one day "antique shopping" trip to Beijing. This one day antique tour enables antiquers to visit the most famous antique and curio markets in Beijing as well as some off the beaten path sources most international travellers are unaware of. In this escorted antique markets tour, we include Liulichang Antique Street, Panjiayuan Flea Market, Beijing Curio City, Baoguosi Cultural Market and Beijing Hongqiao Market.
It would be hard to find another city in China that is as rich in such extraordinary antique markets with primitives, jewelry, glass, crystal, porcelain, pottery, toys, dolls, folk art etc. All the prices are bargainable and not fixed. You can buy antiques tax free as long as they are exported. Our antique tour includes travel by chartered car or minibus, bilingual guide and visits to antique markets, retail shops, trade sources and wholesalers.
Just a word of caution - watch for fakes and reproductions.
Tour Code: ABTB-01 Departure: Daily Duration: 1 day Group Size: Minimum 2 travellers Tour Customizable: Yes Pick-up point and time: Your Hotel in Beijing around 8:00am Finishing point and time: Your Hotel in Beijing around 6:00pm Payment Types: Cash, Credit Cards, Wire We speak: English
Itinerary:
Pick up from your hotel around 8:30am. First visit the Liulichang Antique Street. It is probably the most popular of the antique street markets for tourists in Beijing. Liulichang is a small street with some hutongs ( lanes ) lined with shops facades bearing Ming and Qing dynasty architectural features. With brightly painted doors and eaves and gracefully curved black-tiled-roofs buildings, a little of old Beijing's lifestyle is preserved here. Then drive to Panjiayuan Flea Market. This flee market is only open on Saturday and Sunday. This is a multi-sectioned covered shopping area, which has a great number of antiques, art, books and general kitsch and so on. Then move on to Beijing Curio City. Beijing Curio City is just next to Panjiayuan Flea Market, the first nationally supervised second-hand market in China, and the biggest Asian center of the curio trade. After a typical Chinese lunch with the locals in their courtyard-home, go on with the visit to Baoguosi Cultural Market. Similar to Panjiayuan Flea Market, but a latecomer, Baoguosi Cultural Market has already become a good hunting place for the trade of ancient books, ancient calligraphy and paintings, ancient coins and curios. Dongfang International Auction Co.Ltd holds auctions and exhibitions in the back hall. The monthly auction attracts any many ordinary buyers gives the market a greater impetus. Finally visit Beijing Hongqiao Market. Return to your hotel in Beijing around 6:00pm. Beijing Liulichang Antique Street
Liulichang is a well-known "culture street" in Beijing. It can date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). During that time, people from all over China came Beijing to take part in the imperial examinations, and this was the area at which the successful candidates got together. That is why the place has more stores selling books, pens, ink and paper than elsewhere in the city. Now this area has everything from scrolls, to jade articles to decadesold cigarette ad posters. There are definitely treasures to be found here, but it is hard to tell genuine antiques from dirty fakes. Real antiques are supposed to bear a red official seal that proves their authenticity, but sometimes real ones don't have it and fake ones do. The best attitude to have is: if you like it and you can bargain down to a price you can accept, just go for it.
The following are some of the famous, and highly recommended.
Rongbaozhai Four treasures 6304746S
Guji Bookstore Antique books 63032104 How to get there:
Address: Xuanwu District (outside Hepingmen).
Take bus 7,14,66,102,105 and 603 and get off at Liulichang Station.
Beijing Panjiayuan Flea Market
Panjiayuan Flea Market has been considered the China's largest secondhand market. Panjiayuan is about 48,500 square meters. It's sectioned into four main areas: Crafts, antiques, old furniture and antique calligraphies and periodicals. There are about 3,000 booths. Panjiayuan Flea Market has become one of the main destinations for domestic and international tourists during their visits to Beijing. It is only open on the weekends. How to get there:
Address: No.18, Huaweixili, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang District
Bus Lines: 36, 51, 64, 713, 802 and get off at Huaweixili or Panjiayuan Station
Tel: 67752405
Beijing Curio City
Beijing Curio City is regarded as the world's largest indoor curio market. There are totally 3 floors. On the first floor there are shops that mainly sell crafts like Beijing's cloisonne enamel and engraved antique furniture. On the second and third floors there are shops that mainly sell curios including ceramics, antique clocks and watches, articles of precious metals, antique carpets, embroideries, statues of Buddha, and the four treasures of the study. Many of the dealers are themselves connoisseurs and curio collectors. How to get there:
Add: Nanlu 21, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Bus Lines: 28, 300, 352, 368, 378, 975,986 and get off at Huaweiqiao or Shilihe Station
Tel: 59609096
Beijing Baoguosi Cultural Market
Baoguosi Cultural Market resembles Panjiayuan Flea Market in its scale. But as a latecomer, Baoguosi has developed very fast. It has already become a good hunting place for the trade of ancient books, ancient calligraphy and paintings, ancient coins and curios. Also Dongfang International Auction Co., Ltd holds auctions and exhibitions in the back hall. The monthly auction attracts many ordinary which gives the market a greater impetus. How to get there:
Add: No.01, Baoguosi, Guanganmenneidajie, Xuanwu Distrct
Bus Lines: 42,57,410,617,620 and get off at Guanganmen
Tel: 63173214
Beijing Hongqiao Market ( or Pearl Market )
Hongqiao Market is located to the east of Temple of Heaven. There are totally three floors. On the third floor is a curio market. Of course, its curio market is not as highly recognized as Panjiayuan's, you can find everything is available. The market has curio calligraphies, civilian secondhand goods, the four treasures of the study and crafts. The most popular goods are fresh-water pearls, necklaces and crafts.
This big market offers everything, from pocket knifes, copy watches, sports wear, bags, shoes to actual jewelry. It is a little bit chaotic, but so are many markets in China. On ground floor you can find some electronics, basic photo equipment, copy watches and other small stuff. On second floor they have shoes, women's and men's clothes, bags and some sporting goods. How to get there:
Address: Tiantan Donglu, Chongwen District ( to the east gate of Temple of Heaven )
Tel: 67119130
Bus lines: Take bus 39, 43, 60, 116, 610 and get off at Fahuasi Station.
Service package includes:
1. Pick-up service from hotel
2. Private air-conditioned car or van
3. Private English speaking tour guide
4. Chinese lunch
5. Visits to antique markets
Service package excludes:
1. Personal Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness or damages incurred during your trip
2. Tips to the tour guide and driver
Reservation:
1. Please use our online booking or send your travel request via email to info@tour-beijing.com. You are also welcome to call us at + 86 10 67160201 ext 1006 or 2007. If you have a last minute booking or an urgent matter after our normal office hour, please call 0086 13520598855 or 13901312027 ( 24 hours ).
2. Our real trip advisors will have your booking confirmed no more than one working day. We even take last minute booking if time is pressing. When your booking is confirmed, you will get a confirmation email or call from us, which includes the confirmed detailed information with price.
3. In your reply, please inform us of your hotel in Beijing and date for the tour. Usually our tour guide will call you on the evening before to fix the departure time from your hotel and collect the money on the spot when you board the coach.
4. Way of Payment: cash payment,credit card payment or wire transfer. Both RMB and hard currency are acceptable. Currency Converter
5. Our tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel in Beijing.
More Beijing Antique Markets: Liangmaqiao Antique Market
Liangmaqiao Antique Market has been open for over 10 years. The market is about 5,000 square meters. It's well located for transportation and parking. The market is specialised in collectible ceramics, jade articles, clocks and watches, cameras, calligraphies, carpets, and pieces of furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The collectibles have been got from many private collectors and civilians. Liangmaqiao is a famous market both at home and broad. Add: 27 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District Tel: 64621625 Bus lines: Take bus 413, 418. 419. 710. 757. 857 get off at Anjialou Station. Zhaojia Chaowai Traditional Furniture Market
Zhaojia Chaowai Traditional Furniture Market has totally 4 floors. There are many pieces of traditional furniture on the first floor. Also, there are many different types of traditional furniture and distinctive crafts. These works are so attractive to the senses that one might not want to leave. The market specializes in traditional furniture, which can be found primarily on the first and third floors. On the fourth floor there are many curios, ceramics, clocks and watches, and similar other items. It's another must-visit antique market during one's antique exploration in Beijing. Add: Huaweibeili, Chaoyang District Tel: 67706410 Bus lines: Take bus 35. 37, 300. 801,802 and get off at Jingsong Dongkou Station. Gaobeidian Antique Furniture Street
Gaobeidian is a thousand-year-old village, the nearest historical village of Beijing and located on the extended east-line of Chang抋n Avenue, only 20 minutes ride from downtown. The village is also situated next to Tonghui River--part of the man-made canal connecting the Tongzhou to Chengwen Men downtown Beijing in the past.In the ancient time, Gaobeidian actually became a prosperous dock serving the Chinese capital. The name of Tonghui River was made by Kublai Khan who found the solution to the problem of carrying foods collected in Tongzhou to Dadu (now central Beijing) by building the Tonghui River.
The 1,500 meters long classical furniture street is located along the Tonghui River in the east part of the Gaobeidian Road. It opened in the 1990s. Now it becomes much larger in these years.
The Gaobeidian classical furniture street is a good stage for representing and trading Chinese Traditional furniture; the main type of the furniture is of Ming and Qing Dynasty. Vendors and buyers from all China, even from many parts of the world. Add: Gaobeidian Village, Chaoyang District Tel: 87739007 How to get there: please hire a car and take Jingtong Expressway and exit from the Gaobeidian exit, then turn right at the first traffic light and get to the destination.
