By Rui Hu, iChongqing News

Local people in Chongqing love to visit markets to buy flowers, plants, and birds in their leisure time. These local markets named as “flowers and birds”, the market contains more categories of products, it will surprise you by its reasonable prices and diversity.

Roses, hydrangea, nepenthes, imported assortment… the diversity of blossoms are vivid and elegant, and you can bring this feeling of spring home at a price of ￥15-30 per bunch at average. In the seasons of spring and summer, the most popular ones are green plants, as small as green radish, or as big as fortune tree and money tree. Nevertheless, through the whole market, the most eye-catching is the bonsai with varied shapes in a garden setting.

Succulents Pots

Besides the larger potted plant, the succulents are very popular in local Chongqing. Shops selling succulent potted plants are everywhere in the flower market. 

If you were a freshman of growing a succulent, Haworthia and Aizoaceae would be good choices for you due to they are easy to survive, the price would be ￥10-20 at average.

If you were familiar with succulents or plants, Rose on Mountain (Aeonium), Ice green (Echeveria), Echeveria subcorymbosa are great choices. For the outstanding shape of succulents, the price would be higher than ￥30.

If you do not care about the category, there are mini pots of succulents for ￥3-5, there are easy to grow and look cute.

Mini Sea World

The most amazing thing about the flower and bird market is that there is an aquarium area with a variety of fish that look like a mini underwater world. There are some aquarium shops and they are interesting to explore. If you want to buy something to fill your fish tank, the red goldfish is the most popular choice. Goldfish’s prices depend on size. Koi fish means good fortune in China and other Asian countries. All kinds of beautiful tropical fish and landscaping are the housekeeping skills of each store. You can buy some seaweed and seabed plants to DIY for only ￥5-20. Besides fish, there are aquatic creatures like small turtles, crabs, frog and etc. Children will love the flower & bird markets to explore the mini underwater world.  

Pets Market

For those who like to raise pets, the Nanhu Road Flower Market on Sunday morning is a treasure trove. You can find a variety of dogs, cats, reptile pets, alternative pets, birds, etc., as well as a full range of pet supplies. In Hongfan Wanghai Market, you could only find birds instead of other pets. In China, there is a tradition of keeping birds as a birdman. Usually, the birdmen are elder male, they interested to walk and train the birds with cage every day.

Recommended markets

1. Flowers & Birds Market on Nanhu Rd

Nanhu Road Flowers & Birds Market is located in the Huilongwan area, the entire area is not very large. A T-shaped intersection is all of it. From the main entrance to the flower market, the road is full of colorful plants.

Address: the intersection of Nanhu Rd and Dashi Rd, Nan`an district

2. Hongfan Wanghai Market

Hongfan Wanghai Market is a huge complex of flowers, plants, aquarium, birds, and a public garden together. It is a place for local citizens to enjoy leisure time and shopping the family sundries and outdoor decoration. If you interested in Chinese house gardens, Hongfan Wanghai Market is a must-see place in your plan. You can also find everything for your fish tank here.

Address: Yuewan Bus Station, Hongfan Rd, Yubei district

3. Luzu Temple Market (on construction)

The most classic market famous for its street food and flowers, the market is under construction. However, Huashi Noodle is a must-try noodle restaurant in Chongqing. Streets around market still reflect the daily life and old Chongqing memories.

Address: 85 Minsheng Rd, Jiefangbei CBD, Yuzhong district