There is always an inspiring discovery to be made at the Panjiayuan Old Wares Market located just inside the southeast corner of the Third Ring Road (just west of Panjiayuan Bridge).

It is one of the best and cheapest places to shop for antiques and souvenirs in Beijing.

Posters popular in the 1970s and early 1980s have been one of the most in-demand items amongst tourists.

The owner admits that most of the posters are replicas which have been collected from around the country.

Thus, bargaining is inevitable. When the owner asks for a price of 300 yuan (US$3.6), you may take it for 30 yuan (US$3.6) finally.

The market is open Saturday and Sunday mornings. Action starts to die down around noon.

Location: Panjiayuan Old Wares Market, Dongsanhuan Nanlu, west of Panjiayuan Bridge, Chaoyang District

Hours: 8 am-5 pm

Tel: 6775-2405

Life Unlimited

Winter is here, hard to ignore when you find any outdoor activities seeming unpleasant, even a trip to the Silk Market for a fake North Face. What makes this outlet worth a visit is its less stressful shopping environment than the open air market, and at the same time, its collection of inexpensive made-in-China fleece pullovers, ski pants and down jackets.

Hours: 9 am-9 pm

Location: Life Unlimited, Dongdan, Mishidajie, Dongcheng District

Tel: 6524-9557

Courtyard Flea Market

A flea market organized by the Pass-by Bar will take place on Sunday afternoon. The market is open to anyone interested. Participants are encouraged to bring their own products, such as books, CDs, small home appliances etc. There will also be auctions at the end.

No fee will be charged.

This is the second time Pass-by bar has organized such an event in its courtyard. According to the organizer, the event aims to be "fun, free and fair."

During its previous event, there were 51 items sold and two auctioned, the exchange volume totlling a modest 687.1 yuan (US$94).

Time/date: 1 to 4 pm, January 19

Location: 108 Luoguxiang Hutong, Pi'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, check www.gk01.com/bar/map.htm for more info

Hours: 10 am to 2 am

Tel: 8403-8004

(Beijing weekend January 28, 2003)