Beijing’s biggest second-hand goods market is about to open at the end of the month. Xinqicai Commercial Centre (新七彩商业中心) opened for business on December 31st in Yaojiayuan (姚家园), Chaoyang District.

The market’s location is behind Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) and according to the Chaoyang government, the market will also feature a special trade area to encourage white collar traders to open up businesses within the venue. Once the market opens its doors, it will become China’s largest second-hand market covering an area of 30,000 square metres.

A wide range of items will be for sale at the market, including clothes, crafts, household appliances, musical instruments, antiques, articles for daily use and more. There’ll also be a large selection of firelighters, second hand leather products and all sorts of specialty hand-made arts and crafts from famous tourist sites around the country.

The enormous market will be divided into three sections with a total of 600 stalls on site. Besides the commercial sections, there will also be an entertainment area within the building.

Another exciting aspect the venue has planned for the future is to introduce a “second-hand sales corridor”, which will consist of a designated space where residents can bring along their second hand goods and set up a stall for free. This initiative is planned to open in June or July 2010.

Second hand culture is a fairly new phenomenon in China. Although antique markets have been flourishing throughout the country for many years, Chinese authorities and consumers are much more reserved when it comes to second hand items such as clothing.