Of the small stores that make up the Old Beijing Street in Xindong’an Plaza, one stand out is Ri Xin Gu Se, a cute shop that specializes in wood carvings and traditional pottery. Most of the intricate carved wood pieces are made of camphor wood because it is especially suitable for carving and repels damaging worms.
Over 50 wood pieces hang on the store’s wall. All exhibit exquisite workmanship, and mot are related to traditional Chinese culture, such as a set that represents the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, and pieces portraying the Eight Immortals from Taoist mythology. Other objects with symbolic meaning, such as representations of kylin, a kind of unicorn in Chinese myths, and white cranes, signs of longevity, are good gifts.
Also for sale is a wide variety of pottery goods, ranging from vases, candlesticks and ashtrays to ocarinas, egg-shaped, high-pitched ancient musical instruments. Scattered around the floor are different stools shaped and painted like bananas, watermelons, apples, oranges, pears and other fruits in vivid colors.
Where: First underground level of Xindong’an Plaza
Open: 9 am - 10 pm
Tel: 13701390709
(Beijing Today December 7, 2002)
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