Just a couple "rings" away from the center of Beijing is Panjiayuan, an outdoor flea market where you can find every souvenir you could ever want, including ones you never even knew you couldn’t live without: alarm clocks featuring cartoon portraits of Chairman Mao, whose outstretched hands point to the present time; golden lighters which when triggered play classic Communist tunes; amber, coral, and jade necklaces; silk chopstick holders emblazoned with Mongolian motifs; and your very own copies of someone else’s tomb offerings, including desktop replicas of the Xi’an warriors.

Don’t miss the row of vendors with "one-of-a-kind" terracotta and wooden statues of the Buddha, horses, camels, chariots, and the like, where—if you have an expert eye, a lot of luck, and even better bargaining skills—you may actually pick up the "real deal." Of course, don’t be disappointed if you return the next day to find the identical piece for sale again.

Bear in mind that bargaining in Beijing is something of a cultural art form. If you don’t speak the language, bring a calculator to communicate; be polite but firm, and most importantly, only engage someone in such banter if you ultimately intend on buying the item.

The market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, so be sure to plan accordingly.

This place is IT! For real, honest prices and a wonderful selection of goods this is the place to go. The vendors carry a variety of antiques, beads, chops, brushes, scrolls, lacquerware, wood work, jade, pottery, statuary, and Mao memorabilia...the list goes on and on! I felt so overwhelmed by the beauty of everything that I will have to go back when I return to China. Very little haggling needs to happen here, however do haggle, it is expected.

The atmosphere is wonderful...It is entirely an open air market..take photos

Please visit this place. You will kick yourself if you don't. It takes place only on the weekends, so don't try to find it during the week or people will think you are crazy.

Panjiayuan is much more than just an antiques market (though that is what the English sign near the entrance proclaims). The vast majority of the stalls are not devoted to antiques at all but rather to a tremendous variety of goods, including Tibetan Buddhist and traditional Chinese paintings; jade (and fake "jade") carvings in all shapes and sizes; a wide assortment of all types of jewelry in both wholesale and retail amounts and prices; porcelain; lacquer furniture; silk pillowcases, table runners, and purses; Tibetan saddles, knives, shields, and clothing; Communist memorabilia, and many more unusual items like traditional Chinese paintbrushes, ranging in length from 6 inches to 3 feet, and Indonesian-style shadow puppets. My favorite thing to shop for is the embroidery and silverwork of the Miao ethnic minority, available in a profusion of stalls whose varity and quality surpass anything I found in Guizhou province, the Miao homeland. You should be prepared to bargain hard if you decide to buy, though I have found that the Miao women are less willing to bargain than many of the other vendors, often only accepting a 25-50% reduction on their initial offer, as opposed to 75% or more for many other stalls. Panjiayuan really does have something for everyone, whatever your interest and price range; in my opinion, it is hands-down the best place to shop for souvenirs in Beijing, and perhaps in all of China. Practicalities: The main market area is only open on weekends, though there are a few rows of antique vendors there during the week. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and (supposedly) get the best deals. Panjiayuan is located in the far southeast corner of Beijing. The best way to get there by public transport is to take the subway to Guomao and then a bus (300, 967, and others) south along the third ring road for a kilometer or two; ask to get off at Panjiayuan.