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XINHUA |
If you are fond of antiques, calligraphy, paintings, seals or other artworks, Liulichang Street is a must visit when traveling in Beijing.
Located in the south of the city, this famous cultural street stretches around 800 meters and is divided into eastern and western parts. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), there were kilns in the street which made glazed tiles for the royal buildings, temples and officials' residences, hence its name Liulichang or Glazed Tile Workshop.
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), many poets, scholars and literati resided in the area near the street. In addition, most of the scholars who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations lived in the hostels in the street. As time passed by, many shops selling books, paintings, calligraphic works and the "four treasures of the study" (wenfang sibao) – writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper - appeared, making Liulichang Street a center of the literati. Living a leisurely life, scholars often strolled around the street and visited the bookstores and shops.
Today, the street still resembles a traditional shopping area, with over 100 shops, which sell antiques, scroll paintings, calligraphy, old books and figurines to a roving crowd of tourists and culture buffs alike.
"Most foreign tourists love the flower-bird Chinese ink paintings. Sometimes they ask about the symbolic meanings behind," said the shop assistant at Cangbaozhai Art Gallery. "They are amazed at the traditional Chinese artworks here and often buy some paintings for friends," he added.
A visit to Liulichang Street must include a tour of Rongbaozhai, or Studio of Glorious Treasures. With a history of nearly 300 years, the studio enjoys a nationwide reputation for the fine quality of paper for painting and calligraphy. Besides, it also sells writing brushes, ink sticks, ink slabs, paperweights and penholders. Now many famous painters and calligraphers authorize the studio to sell their works. Although such works are usually highly priced, they still have a ready market.
Liulichang Street also features a large book market, with most of the bookstores located in the west street, which include The Commercial Press and Zhonghua Book Co. At China Bookstore, you will find an impressive selection of books on Chinese painting, calligraphy and photography, and traditional thread-bound publications. Also, there are some secondhand books sold at much cheaper prices there.
Hutong Tips
How to get there
> By subway: Take subway Line 2 to Hepingmen Station
> By bus: Take bus 7/14/15/66 to Liulichang Station
What to buy
> Daiyuexuan, the only store named after its owner, specializes in Huzhou-style writing brush making. With over 95 years of history, it has become the country's time-honored brand. When watching the technicians at work, you can see them selecting and combing the hair of a brush, and skilfully carving characters on the writing brush shafts.
Address: No.73 Liulichang Dongjie
Website: www.daiyuexuan.com
Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
> Cuiwenge, another time-honored brand, boasts a long line of renowned carving masters and sells calligraphy, carving and brushes.
Address: No.60 Liulichang Dongjie
Website: www.bjyzgs.com.cn/cwg.htm
Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
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