Nanjing Chao Tian Gong Antique Market

 

Nanjing Chao Tian Gong Antique Market [qhphoto.com]

Nanjing Chao Tian Gong Antique Market is the No.1 market in Nanjing and ranks very high among Chinese antique markets with quite a long history. It is a great place to poke around and maybe stumble across some odd treasures.

It has an array of curios, from genuine antiques to fakes of varying quality. Vendors' opening prices can border on the ludicrous, but some good-natured bargaining can yield good buys. The market is open every day, but is liveliest on weekend mornings when many private collectors, dealers, and vendors come from the towns around Nanjing and even from neighboring provinces to display their goods.

The market is built in the forecourt of a Ming-Dynasty Confucius temple - the carved entrance gate, red painted walls and ancient flagstones make a fitting setting for this fascinating market.

Small carved jades, old woodcarvings, and porcelain are easy to be found, mixed among all sorts of other oddities and curios, ranging from old military medals to bronze incense burners to jade pipes.

Be aware that you should bargain hard for some items, and if a deal for an artifact looks too good to be true, it probably is counterfeit.

Add: No. 79 Anpin Street, Baixia District