After I wrote about two popular flower markets, it was brought to my attention that the Lai Tai market was closed. I had just been there at Christmas and was very surprised to hear the news. Things move fast in Beijing and gossip is quick. It is true that all the whole sale markets will close because of a new city policy, but this will happen very slowly. The government will tell vendors that the market will close one or two years in advance so they can relocate themselves. This post is meant to be a list of remaining markets in Beijing. Start  making your rounds and get name cards from your favorite vendors so when they disappear you have their information. Due to Chinese New Year a lot of markets look closed but will be back after the holidays.

Lai Tai Flower Market is closed for renovations and will open back up in April. Some of the vendors have moved to the 3rd floor of the building and to lady street. Not a trip worthy but if you live local a good chance to support the vendors.

Liang Ma Flower Market is up and shows no signs of closing or renovating.

Muxiyuan Fabric Market is open and a lot of stalls are still there – definitely worth a trip.

Tianyi Market has been notified that they are closing, but are not yet closed.

The Zoo Market, an area of markets near the zoo has been closing for 3 years. Of the 13 markets eight markets have been cleared and five markets are left.

Bainaohui Computer Market has two markets one has been closed but the other part across the street is still there.

Lady Street Clothing Market is partially closed for renovations.

Hongqiao Pearl Market is still open but some parts are closed.

Panjiayuan Antique Market is still open every Saturday and Sunday.

Xiushui Silk Market is open as usual

Sanlitun Yashou Market has been closed.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

When my husband’s grandma passed away, she left behind some amazing pieces of furniture. Most of which were antiques. Over the years she had built up a beautiful collection of items. One such item, which we wanted to keep in the family for sentimental reasons, was an old rocking chair. Covered with brown leather, that was now worn and torn, it wasn’t a particularly pretty chair, but it had all that history. In our first home, it sat in the corner of the dining room, but nobody ever sat on it. In our second home, it sat in the corner of my son’s nursery. When we moved to Beijing, it sat under the stairs. The torn and scratchy leather meant it just wasn’t comfortable to sit on, which was a real shame. This chair needed to become part of our furniture, but first it needed some re-upholstering.

Brenda’s Upholstery in Shunyi provides a re-upholstery service; for chairs, sofas, stools, and headboards, they are able to provide the best cover chairs I have ever seen. Any piece of furniture that you want to change the look of, the color of, or bring up to date, this is the place to come. The store is full with fabrics, samples, cushions, and curtains, in a wonderful display of colors, patterns and textures.

We were looking for a suede fabric, in a plain color, something hard wearing too. It didn’t take them long to come up with four suggestions which fitted our brief. Straight away we agreed on this gorgeous deep chocolate colored suede. It wasn’t the most expensive, neither was it the cheapest, but it was absolutely what we wanted.

The following day, they came to pick up the chair. By which time we had decided to have another two chairs upholstered, in the same fabric. So after a price negotiation, three chairs went off for a make-over, to return two weeks later looking fabulous. Over the years, we’d had quotes from re-upholstery companies back home in the UK, with prices coming in at three times what we paid Brenda’s. Not only did they do a superb job, with quality workmanship, they did it for a very good price.

Brenda’s
Daily 10am-7pm
1-5 Dragon Bay, Yu Yuan Road, Shunyi; 地址：北京市顺义区后沙峪裕园路龙湾商业街1-5号 布语天香 Contact (135 2196 5956, Brendashi@163.com)

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Sally Wilson