Over the last few months I’ve been biking by the flower market on a regular basis. Every time it was closed, and the flowers were moved to the third floor and to Lady Street next to the market. But at last, after a long wait, the Lai Tai flower market has reopened its doors. I ran inside to see what had happened and what has changed. My four year old put it this way: “We are not here to talk mommy, but to buy flowers.” Well said, my child.

The outside of the market has been decorated and promises great things for the inside, however I don’t see much change as I enter. Other than a newly decorated café and some new shops, things seem the same as we left them around Christmas. Looking more closely, I do see little improvements, like fresh painted walls and new toilets. All my favourite vendors are still here, selling products ranging from candles to baskets and furniture. It’s like nothing happened. Underneath in the picture is one of the new stores I found in the Flower Market; don’t be fooled, there are no craft supplies in here.

I ventured upstairs where they sell art and paintings. There are some very nice fake paintings. You can even get your family painted on canvas in a nice setting. With a bit of browsing I did find some paintings I would hang in my home. I feel safe walking around the art with my four year old, discussing what she thinks about it. She seems especially fond of the fake flowers; luckily we still have time to hone her taste. We are very excited that the flower market is open again and can’t wait to venture downstairs for some glassware, and haggle with the flower ladies for a potted plant or bouquet of roses.

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 last 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.

Pictures by Pauline van Hasselt

Our family had lived behind the Laitai flower market for two very long months last summer. I had visited this market quite often and managed to find some treasures. My 3-year-old daughter enjoys exploring the animal aisle while bonsai trees are more my taste. When I heard there was another flower market nearby, I wanted to see what it had to offer as everything my family wanted could surely be found at the Laitai market.

Just as we entered the Liangma flower market I noticed it was much smaller, but very cute indeed. The huge area of the Laitai flower market can be very overwhelming while Liangma’s is easy to navigate and has some surprises in store. Its main hall exhibits cut flowers and a little boutique with ribbons galore, postcards and satin boxes. We even found an art stall with impressive paintings for reasonable prices.

The second hall has potted plants, some fish in tanks and a bird, all looking happy and healthy. There’s a stand with potted salads and vegetables. This was cool, so I showed it to my daughter and explained where our food comes from. We found a stall with a guy who makes lamps. Just as I found a nice lamp for my desk, I tried my hand at bargaining. The guy wanted to sell the lamp for RMB 180, but after a few minutes of haggling we settled at RMB 120.

On the hunt for more stuff we left the stroller downstairs and went to the second floor. This was like finding a cave of treasures filled to the brim with home wear. From tableware to slippers to candles, almost anything can be found here! My daughter and I had lots of fun roaming around and finding cute and funny things we did not need, but ended up buying anyway. My toddler kept me on my toes at all times with all the breakable nick knacks. I will definitely be back by myself to hunt for some serving platters.

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.