Beijing offers a huge selection of art and handicrafts for bargain-hunters and professional hunters alike. Opening your eyes, nosing around, exploring stands without looking at the knick-knacks and cheap junk, and not listening to vendors guaranteeing their product's authenticity is all part of the game.

By being patient, it is possible to find splendid treasures hidden under thick layers of dust: age-old furniture, refined silk, exquisite decorative items, fine china, precious calligraphy, luxurious carpets... all these beautiful treasures left behind by 5000 years of history and now spread throughout the city's antique dealers and markets.     

With good bargaining skills, it is possible to get some excellent bargains. As a multiethnic country, China also offers a lot of local handicrafts. This presents nice opportunity to discover minority specialties and observe old crafts that are slowing disappearing as generations pass away by a few old masters trying to keep their crafts alive.