Every weekend, in Beijing, as the sun rises, thousands of locals make their pilgrimage in search of something unique, and perhaps even old. They are headed for one of China’s biggest and best-known flea markets, where vendors congregate from all corners of the Chinese empire. The seeds of capitalism were already sewn when China began opening up to the outside world in the early 1980s. Initially laid off workers would illegally trade family heirlooms and goods looted during the Cultural Revolution in local flea markets. One particular area emerged as the “ghost market” in reference to another such market from the late Qing dynasty, when aristocrats who had fallen on hard times were forced to sell valuable heirlooms. Because such actions were deemed shameful they preferred to bring their goods early in the morning under cover of anonymity. Similarities were drawn with the dubious acquired goods of the 1980s. The market gained a reputation for rare artwork and antiques as stories emerged of people who had bought items for nothing, and then sold them for a fortune. By 1994 it had become the first legal antiques market in Beijing. Many of the antiques have gone, but what remains is a fascinating celebration of all things Chinese. Family treasures from Han dynasty burial urns, Cultural Revolution memorabilia and bound foot silk slippers can still be found, together with beautiful ceramics and bronze wares. Brightly dressed minority peoples from distant lands peddle exquisite textiles, raw jade and beads among a chaotic collage of dolls, Buddhas calligraphy, teapots, toys, coins, and much more.