Antique furniture is at once a work of art and an investment. Chinese antique furniture especially embodies traditional Chinese culture in its elaborate and rich designs. As sitting styles changed, so did the furniture, with low tables and chairs representative of earlier times, and higher tables and chairs more recently built. Treasure-hunters would do well to check out the Gaobeidian Market, one of the best antique furniture markets in Beijing.

Located in Chaoyang District, the market covers 90887 square meters and specializes in antique Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture as well as antique decorations, pottery, and new concept furniture with old wood.

Founded in the 1990s with only one or two stalls, the market has grown to over 300 shops after ten years' development. Some shops still keep the traditional style of having the show room in front and the workshop in back. The dealers arrange their wares into different zones according to type and style. Buyers not only enjoy hunting for treasures but can also learn about traditional Beijing culture, which is different from common markets.

The market has made a name for itself for wholesale prices, skilled craftsmen who come from various provinces and review items on sale to ensure their quality and dealers who have fixed distribution points in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

Most antique furniture can be divided into wood and cork. Wood is heavier and sturdier. Cork is lighter and easier to move around. Many popular antiques come from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ming Dynasty furniture tends to use rosewood and beech, and the lines are simple and elegant. Qing dynasty furniture is heavier and more elaborate, using redwood and new rosewood.

Gaobeidian Village

The Gaobeidian village, from where the market steals its moniker, has an intriguing history of its own. The Tonghui Canal that cuts through the north of the village brought trade through the area. At one point it was even a stop-off for foodstuffs en route to the Forbidden City. The people of Gaobeidian are known for their hospitality, kindness, and, of course, their fantastic antique furniture market.

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