Hidden among the skewered and fried carnage of Wangfujing Snack Street, the tiny Xiaozhang Mud Man store still manages to draw lots of customers with its interesting and authentic folk toys.

The special of the house are clay figures, translated literally as mud men. Many of these figures represent old Beijing culture, from courtyard houses to Manchu maidens, Peking Opera masks to scenes from life in the capital many years ago. The pieces are designed and made by native Beijinger Zhang Yujun, a passionate preserver of customs nearly forgotten in this city.

The store is filled with mud men, ranging from the size of a finger to half-a-meter tall, portraying go players, cross talk performers, crowds watching cricket fights and roving vendors and cost a mere 20 to 50 yuan per piece. Among the most popular are figurines of children playing, sleeping, laughing or doing other kid things in late Qing dynasty garb, which go for 20 yuan each.

The walls also showcase kites, drums, fans and other old Beijing folk items priced from 15 to 100 yuan.

Zhang's mud men can also be found in some local shopping centers, such as the Hongqiao Market, but prices are lower and the atmosphere is better at his own little store.

Loacation: No. 227 Wangfujing Street at the east entrance to Wangfujing Snack Street, Dongcheng

Open time: 9 am - 9 pm