Visitors to Tianjin often like to take in the sites that make the city unique. One of the most popular of all tourist attractions is the Guwan Shichang antique market, a market that is unmatched anywhere else in the People’s Republic of China.

Guwan Shichang antique market is to be found at Shenqyan Dao, in the Heping District, and draws in tourists and locals looking to pick up a piece of Chinese history, hopefully at a bargain price. The market itself is open all year round, although it is at its busiest on a Sunday when people from Bargain swell the normal numbers of visitors. At these busy times, the numerous small shops are joined by innumerable stalls, and other vendors.

There are plenty of antiques, real and fakes, on sale, and just walking through the market is an experience in itself. Although, primarily known as an antique market, Guwan Shichang is not just about the old. Antiques have been supplemented with many modern objects for sale, and as well as buying an old vase, a visitor to the market could walk away with any sort of fashion accessory, or even a live chicken or pig if the visitor so desires.

The Guwan Shichang market has been often described as Tianjin at its “genuine best”, although others do rightly point to the fact that the nature of the market has changed in recent years. Once the focus on antiques meant that it was a rather quiet place to visit, where the beauty of the old could be taken in without any form of distraction or pressure to buy. The influx of Mao memorabilia and modern items has seen a more commercial element emerge in the market, and vendors now often try to attract custom by shouting at the top of their voice, and virtually dragging people to their wares. Whilst it can be annoying, this commercial element though does also have its own benefits and competition in the market has ensured that those who are willing to haggle about prices can pick up bargains which are out of this world.