At 3 AM in Beijing, a dimly lit alley twinkles with scattered lights, resembling flickering ghostly flames.
As you approach, you find a group of people bustling here, engaging in transactions.
This place, far from being frightening, is an ordinary market known as the "Ghost Market."
The name "Ghost Market" may sound eerie, but what is it really?
In many horror stories, the "Ghost Market" is often depicted as a place where ghosts conduct trades, offering various items used for rituals.
However, the reality of the Ghost Market is quite different.
These markets typically start around 3 AM and disappear by dawn.
Throughout the process, buyers and sellers often do not meet face-to-face, and the items traded are diverse, though antiques are predominant.
In Beijing, one of the famous locations for the Ghost Market is Panjiayuan.
Panjiayuan is renowned nationwide for its antique market, though some say most items here are modern reproductions.
Thus, only true connoisseurs of antiques can navigate here with ease.
Why does Panjiayuan, bustling in the daytime, transform into the realm of the Ghost Market at night?
In fact, the Ghost Market at Panjiayuan is where its true essence lies.
Daytime and nighttime attract completely different clienteles. The Ghost Market draws many collectors because items that might not be openly sold during the day can circulate freely at night, including some illegally acquired artifacts.
The Ghost Market is actually a part of Chinese market culture, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.
During the Tang Dynasty, due to a highly developed economy, daytime markets gradually evolved into night markets, even without curfews in places like Chang'an.
However, over time, these night markets declined in the late Tang Dynasty, only to revive during the Song Dynasty.
Nevertheless, due to social unrest, some Ghost Markets became venues for illicit transactions.
Initially, Ghost Markets were simply stalls set up by vendors evading curfews, but with increasing numbers and scale, they gradually evolved into what they are today.
Ghost Markets typically begin between 2 to 3 AM, a time when people are resting, and they avoid official supervision, facilitating transactions.
In ancient times, people had to carry lanterns to shop because there was no electric lighting.
To avoid alarming the police, Ghost Markets were usually silent.
If someone in ancient times passed by a Ghost Market bustling with lanterns but heard no sound, they would undoubtedly be startled, hence the name "Ghost Market."
Ghost Markets have a history spanning centuries, and many traditions are still upheld today, such as focusing on items rather than people and ceasing trade at cockcrow.
Apart from Panjiayuan, Beijing has many other locations for Ghost Markets, such as Deshengmen and Xuanwumen.
Although these places are now bustling, during the Qing Dynasty, they were relatively deserted, thus becoming the birthplaces of Ghost Markets.
For those who wish to visit a Ghost Market, staying up all night and understanding its customs are essential to finding desired items.
For example, at Panjiayuan, visitors must arrive before 3 AM and are not allowed to use high-powered flashlights, only small ones, to avoid disturbing vendors.
Another principle of Ghost Markets is no bargaining.
To acquire quality items, visitors must rely on their own discernment and decisiveness.
Modern Ghost Markets still adhere to ancient rules, such as focusing on items rather than people, so items bought here might not be found at the same stall the next day.
If a purchased item does not meet expectations the next day, it cannot be returned or exchanged, posing a challenge for shoppers.
Lastly, there's a rule in Ghost Markets not to inquire about the origins of items, whether modern reproductions or antiques, as this is seen as basic courtesy to the stall owners.
First-time visitors to Ghost Markets are advised to observe more and buy less, waiting until their discernment improves to possibly uncover treasures.
Compared to large daytime markets, Ghost Markets offer a uniquely atmospheric experience.
In the darkness of night, with sporadic flashlight illumination, they provide a sense of security for vendors and a mysterious experience for customers.
In modern times, online shopping and supermarkets are commonplace, making Ghost Markets not only a continuation of Chinese folklore but also a special spice in life.
Although Ghost Markets lack the bustling noise, they are far from deserted.
Only by visiting a Ghost Market in person can one truly experience the "quiet bustle."
Chinese Ghost Markets attract not only locals but also attention from many foreigners.
Thus, it's no longer surprising to see foreigners proficiently using sign language to communicate with stall owners during nighttime visits to Ghost Markets.
Many foreigners hope to enrich their antique collections or pass them down to future generations through treasures found in Ghost Markets.
Due to the unique nature of Ghost Markets, some foreigners effortlessly find long-sought treasures here, making Ghost Markets a well-known destination in the international antique community.
In summary, for those stepping into a Ghost Market for the first time, besides preparing for an all-nighter, understanding its basic rules is crucial.
The existence of Ghost Markets is not just a continuation of Chinese folklore but also a special shopping experience, offering a different way to seek variety in everyday life.
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