LI XIANG

The capital boasts countless markets of all kinds, but some of its insect, bird and pet markets immortalize Beijing culture and folkloric traditions. Don't miss it!

The Huasheng Tianqiao Market, south of the famous Panjiayuan Antique Market, was moved a few years ago and rebuilt in the traditional style. On a Sunday morning, you will find families and old people marveling at the cheerful tunes of a bird or at the chirp of a cricket. The value of a bird depends less on its beauty than the quality and purity of its singing.

Chinese people are very attached to their birds. You will often see them in the city parks, carrying their bird around in a cute wicker cage that they hang on a tree branch. A Myna bird capable of speaking a few words will go for more than 200 yuan ($31), but a slightly chatty one, with a more complex vocabulary, will fetch up to several thousand yuan.

Many Chinese people also consider crickets as pets. They symbolize summer and represent courage and a fighting spirit. Even though they have a short life span, around three months, they can be sold for up to 1,000 yuan ($154) if they have an excellent "singing voice." For a normal one, expect to pay between 20 ($3) and 50 yuan ($8). Don't mix up the singers, the big crickets green in color, with the smaller black ones bred for fighting. Once you've chosen your little companion, you'll have to get him a small cage. Usually the cage is made out of dried gourd, but you will also find porcelain, sculpted ivory, bamboo or wicker cages.

Besides insects and birds, Tianqiao has all kinds of fish, as well as rabbits, cats, squirrels and even mini pigs (for your apartment). There are also a number of street performers keeping browsers entertained with storytelling, acrobatics, martial arts, and musical performances.Guanyuan Flower, Bird, Fish and Insect Market is another good choice for you to pick up a pet to join your family.

Pets like turtles, terrapins, fish, budgies, doves, rabbits, chinchillas, mice, spiders, hamsters, iguanas and dragon lizards are all for sale. Tarantulas are usually a big hit with kids!

You'll hear endless bird songs from parrots, thrushes, and cuckoos while walking around.

The market also stocks pet medicines, toys, and pretty much anything you need to keep your pet happy. If you are not very interested in pets, do not worry, as the market offers a range of other merchandise including tobacco and smoking accessories, fishing tackle, plants, jewelry and traditional Chinese shoes.

As for more traditional pets like cats or dogs, it's not unusual to see people standing on street corners selling immaculate white puppies or kittens but this might not be your best option, as they're often stray animals carrying diseases. Moreover, their snowy white fur may well be bleached or dyed so it is always better to know the owner and the animal's mother before you buy. You should consider asking a licensed veterinarian to recommend you a licensed breeder or a rescue center.

The Aisida Dog Market, on the outskirts of the city, has numerous dog and cat sellers, a pet clinic, a restaurant and a demonstration area where dogs can show off their tricks. You will find more than a hundred dog breeds, from regular terriers to rare breeds such as hairless Chinese varieties. All canines are vaccinated and mostly kept in roomy cages.

Find Your Pet

Addresses:

> Huasheng Tianqiao Market

East of Shilihe Qiao, Southeast Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District

Daily: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

> Guanyuan Flower, Bird, Fish and Insect Market

Guangyuan Plaza, Zizhu Qiao, Haidian District

Daily: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

> Aisida Dog Market

8A Fatou, Wangsiying Town, Chaoyang District

Daily: from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.