Survey: BJ's biggest flea market – knockoffs or knick knacks?

It's hardly a secret that the capital is bursting with markets, whether you're a local looking for secondhand gems, or a visitor looking for souvenirs and a slice of lao Beijing. 

If you're a sucker for antiques, one the most popular haunts is the Panjiayuan Flea Market. Fondly known as the 'Dirt Market', the popular open-air market along the Southeast Third Ring Road is the largest and best known antique market in town, offering a veritable bounty of artifacts and antique oddities.

Entering the market you'll be greeted by a sprawling, messy mass of stallholders peddling everything under the sun. Expect to pick up anything from PLA caps, jewellery, books, to ancient coins, propaganda posters, rare gemstones, Ming dynasty porcelain replicas, and more, as you fossick through all sorts of bits and bobs and all manner of Beijing souvenirs.

Something of a local attraction, too. The behemoth market is said to draw a buzzing crowd of 50,000 visitors a day — certainly enough tour groups to match its souvenir-shop status. 

So how does the humble Panjiayuan Flea Market fare? Is it worth making a trek to Panjiayuan? Or is it a bit of a tourist trap? Take the short survey by scanning the QR code below and tell us your mixed opinions! 

Upon completion, you’ll also have a chance to snag some free, delish ice creams. Simply send us a screenshot of the completed survey page to our WeChat account (TimeOutBeijingEN), along with your WeChat ID and full name, and you'll go in the running to win some frozen treats.

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