A traditional wet market in Beijing has undergone trendy makeovers to reconnect with the community and revive the familiar flavors and atmosphere that locals have cherished for generations.
As summer heats up, Chongwenmen Market -- one of the oldest in Beijing -- has launched an outdoor night market, drawing both locals and tourists.
After a 15-year absence, the historic site has made a triumphant return to its original location. The revitalized space preserves the authentic charm of old Beijing’s neighborhood culture while blending in contemporary design elements.
With its traditional counter-style service, vintage lightbox signage, and nostalgic slogan displays, the market offers a rich, multi-layered shopping experience that resonates with both longtime patrons and first-time visitors.
"When I was a child, residents from the neighborhood would line up here to buy vegetables, meat, and fish when the Spring Festival came around. Chongwenmen Market has always held a special place in our hearts. Now it's much bigger than before. As soon as it opens in the morning, elderly men and women rush in to buy tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Prices are quite good. For example, high-quality salted duck eggs are only one yuan each (about 0.14 U.S. dollars). I bought 1.5 kilograms this time. The atmosphere here is really nice," a customer said.
The barbecue skewers remain an unforgettable flavor memory for loyal customers. Since the renovation, the popular stall has expanded its space and introduced new varieties, but the one thing that hasn't changed is that iconic original taste.
"Many people say they used to eat here when they were young and often come to eat here to relive the original taste," said Ma Jinghuai, the man behind a popular skewer stall.
"I can sell at least 150-160 barbecue skewers a day, and even more on weekends. Among old markets, Chongwenmen Market already had a reputation. The name itself attracts people here. But ultimately, your food has to win people over. If they think it tastes good, they’ll come back a second or third time, and eventually become regulars," he said.
Although new to the market, some tenants have already built their customer base. One of them is Liu Fugui, who has traded store reviews for running his own stall, and thanks to savvy use of social media, her products are now reaching customers across China.
"I used to be a self-media content creator, mainly doing store visits. Now I run my own small shop and promote it on platforms like WeChat, Kuaishou, and Douyin. At one point, one of my videos gained over 600 followers in a single day. I've shipped orders to Hangzhou, Chengdu, and even northeast China. The audience for new media is no longer limited to just young people; it spans everyone from kids to the elderly. As long as you identify which demographic your product appeals to, there will be a market for you," said Liu.
Traditional market in Beijing gets trendy makeover, rekindles community spirit
