A rabbit leap into the New Year

By Angela Pruszenski

CRI, February 1, 2011

"These rabbits are very typical Chinese toys, and with this year being the rabbit year, we'll do a lot with rabbits," Hao said. "They are also painted red, which is a lucky color for Chinese people."

The whole process took about two hours, and had a relaxing, almost therapeutic effect. Karina, who moved to China to leave behind a stressful career in the United Kingdom, said the class was right up her alley.

"I'm not an artist, but I found it very relaxing," she said. "I imagine that many people might come here after walking tours and might be very tired, so you do something that's more relaxing and peaceful and make something you can take away with you. I think it's a good idea."

Apart from this week's 120-yuan bunny painting class, Hao also holds classes on working with polymer clay and painting Peking opera masks. She organizes cultural and artistic events around Gaobeidian village to promote tourism in the area and inform visitors about Chinese culture in a fun way.

The Gaobeidian Tourism Bureau is working to increase tourism in the area. Until Beijing's urban sprawl recently spread to the area, Gaobeidian was a rural village on the Beijing outskirts. Much of the area is now under reconstruction, although plenty of old buildings still remain. In addition to Gaobeidian Furniture Street, the area is home to several offbeat museums, such as the Civil Service Museum and the Museum of Antique Handwarmers, and the village is known to host folk performances.

Lily's Antiques is the most well-known shop on the Gaobeidian Furniture Street, which is lined with traditional Chinese furniture shops. While the trip to Gaobeidian may be too much trouble just for a casual browsing, visitors may be more inclined to explore the street after participating in one of the art classes. The shops here sell both antique and modern reproduction furniture as well as custom-made pieces. Prices are surprisingly fair, considering the inflated prices shoppers normally pay for home goods and Beijing souvenirs in other parts of the city.