When visiting Beijing's antique markets, it is quite clear that China is a country with more history than most people realize or have even heard of. It becomes clear from the century old relics that Beijing's antique markets have picked up on a trend that is never going away: the art of selling ancient crafts and materials. Such wares may be a rarity depending on what city you’re in and the city’s Panjiayuan Market has a lot to offer.

On a regular day, William Wang rummages through the hidden treasures of the Pangjiayuan Market. He hopes to find something unique and rare.

Beijing antique markets run the gamut in terms of stylish, unique finds.

Places like Tianya Antique City are yet another venue to find goods as appealing and rare as those at Tianya City mall.

The building is an imposing nine stories of boutique style stores, each selling their own specialty. Each floor has a long corridor, bordered in by window displays which seem like museum exhibitions. The feeling is admittedly a touch austere, but some of the individuals in the establishments are very friendly once you enter the door.

The Tianya market is perfect for those who don't have time to pore through piles of goods, but who still want an easy and rare find.

The market has implemented control measures to encourage the sale of genuine artifacts. A national gemstone testing centre is present to confirm the item’s quality and authenticity.

There is an impressive collection of Tibetan ceremonial masks and costumes from the Qing Dynasty are on display. The terrifying, larger than life masks have been obtained at auctions abroad and are so rare they are not for sale.

Other notable artifacts can be found at the Xu Art & Antique store, which has an impressive collection of glass snuff bottles, impossibly painted from within. One particular 3.5 cm tall bottle holds a world record for having no less than one hundred excruciatingly detailed tigers painted on it.

Just across the street are 300-some more antique stores at Beijing’s Curio City, a massive shopping mall complex.

The feeling here is definitely more relaxed than the bustle of the Tianya market.

The openness and the bright open space allows you to see what’s being sold at a distance, without fully entering the market.