In Baigongfang, aka Beijing Handcraft and Art Museum, there exist a special collection shop with some of unique items. All merchandise inside are limited in amount, and generally quite pricey for casual shoppers.

As a lover of calligraphy, I was particularly enthralled by the three pieces exact replicas of works by Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and Wang Xunzhi. These three works by the most famous calligraphers   were 5 meter long each, and framed in gold. Each piece is sold at RMB 18600 due to their high collection value. In case you are wondering, the originals are at the Palace Museum,

Other collections include a set of four golden watches which had undergone the Buddha's consecration ceremony, sold at RMB 28600, and a commemorative book of Mei Lanfang, China's greatest opera star. The "Mei Lanfang's Art on the Stage" is pegged at RMB 9900.

What I appreciate:
Wang Xizhi's calligraphy

What customers appreciate:
Rare collectible items

There is a place you should visit when you come to Beijing: West Liulichang Street, a venue famous for Chinese painting and calligraphy.

A bit of history

During the Yuan Dynasty, the local government begun to build kilns and burn for glazed tiles. The place got its name — Liulichang — from its specialty: Colored Glaze Plant. Liulichang has a long history of 700~800 years, and is regarded today as a fine example of the distinct regional and cultural features of Beijing.

West Liulichang Street

Liulichang Street is 790 meters long. It is divided into two sections by South Xinhua Avenue.

The section named West Liulichang Street is 340 meters long. The other section is named East Liulichang Street.

All the shops on West Liulichang Street are in traditional Chinese styles that make you feel like you were in ancient times.

Hua Xia Painting & Calligraphy Society

At the entrance of West Liulichang Street, the first shop greeting you is Hua Xia Painting and Calligraphy Society.

On the first floor, there are the Chinese four treasures of study (writing brush, inkstick, inkslab and paper), Chinese paintings and calligraphic works, China seals, cloisonné, lacquers and handicrafts on sale.

As to prices, writing brushes range from RMB 6~430；paintings from RMB 300~32,000; Shou Shan stone seals (a translucent stone found at Shoushan, Fujian province, highly prized as a material for seals) cost RMB 20; a seal with your name on it costs RMB 60.

On the second floor, Zhao Hua Art Gallery holds a paintings exhibition. Visitors may not take photos.

Street art

Hucksters in the street place reproductions of paintings and calligraphic works on the ground, and try to coax passersby into purchasing.

A reproduction of calligraphic work only costs RMB 10, and repros of paintings range from RMB 50 to RMB 150. These can make a good souvenir or gift.

Other shops, small and famous

The street counts other famous shops, such as China Bookstore, Hong Bao Tang, Rong Bao Zhai, etc.

There are many small shops at the end of West Liulichang Street, which sell miniature engravings (RMB 60~80), China seals, artifacts, ancient coins, pottery, porcelain, cloisonné, jade ware, wood ware, tea-things, hand-painted fans, etc.

A must-visit

Liulichang Street embodies traditional Chinese art. Its long history and interesting sights make it worth visiting, even if you don’t buy anything.

Things can’t be left unfinished halfway through. I wrote about West Liulichang Street. I could not avoid visiting East Liulichang Street to complete the picture.

Entering the street

The entrance area of East Liulichang Street is crowded with automobiles. In my opinion, cars and traditional architecture don’t mesh well together, and the clutter lacks harmony. On a more joyous note, several rickshaw pullers wait for patrons there. This is a reminder of ancient China.

Ji Gu Pavilion

The first shop to attract your attention is Ji Gu Pavilion, a three-storey traditional building. Two stone lions keep guard on each side of the main entrance.

The first floor of the Pavilion displays the Chinese four treasures of study, as well as antiques, porcelains, silk, rugs, Chinese paintings and handicrafts. I noticed some leaves and feathers with delicate paintings on each, priced at RMB 20 each.

On the second floor, an art exhibition was going on. In the western wing of the second floor, there is a teahouse where you can enjoy a cup of tea, or purchase tea things.

The third floor shelters the studio of a famous artist.

Other shops

In a narrow lane on the North side of the street, there is a cultural relic appraisal center named Guya. There you can have your antiques appraised for RMB 50 per item.

Dai Yue Xuan is a shop with a long history. It specializes in writing brushes, ink stones, China ink, rice paper, Shou Shan stone seals, and other calligraphy-related articles.

Towards the middle section of the street, on the North side, the Tian Fu Tea Shop carries jasmine tea, green tea, black tea, oolong tea and pu’er tea.

Ping Gu Zhai, Tibetan art

As I was strolling along, I became suddenly aware of a Buddhist music melody. I turned into the direction the music was coming from, and it turned out to be coming from Ping Gu Zhai, a shop specializing in selling Tibetan ornaments, jewelry and clothes. An attractive and mysterious atmosphere permeated the place.

Small curio shops

The other section of the street counts several small curio shops. The owners are warmer and friendlier than the employees of large shops, and prices here are much lower as well.

May you find out some treasures at low prices. Good luck!