Traditional Chinese Bazaars Witness New Year Carnival

By YULING CHEN|Jan 21,2019

By Yuling Chen,iChongqing

Chongqing- Chinese culture is profound and extensive. You can have a glimpse of it through important folk customs during important festivals, for example, the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The Spring Festival falls on February 5, 2019, and before that the preparation for New Year products represents a great project. Exaggerating? After Ganchang ("赶场" in Chinese) or Ganji ("赶集" in Chinese), literally going to the bazaars, you probably would agree.

A traditional market in Chongqing, China

A New Year carnival for market-goers

The traditional Chinese bazaars serve as a form of the trade organization, where people buy necessities and routine services. These markets operate on a regular basis and dwindle as modern economy prospers. But in downtown Chongqing, a traditional Chinese market in Tongyuanju, Nan'an District, has been there for over 30 years.

The market still attracts many consumers nowadays as it offers various products at reasonable prices. Meat and vegetables are definitely part of these products.

Fresh vegetables

Frozen fish

The great project requires time and energy

Going to the market is time-and-energy-consuming. Tongyuanju market has limited space for a lot of people swarming in. It operates on dates ending up with 2nd, 5th and 8th, the time once fixed seldom changed. Arriving at an early time means chances to get, sometimes scramble for, fresh vegetables. So, having a good sleep is strategic. Buyers at all ages are happy for the pre-year shopping because it is not only a shopping paradise but also a place to be involved with the upcoming festival.

The old lady is picking up products to fulfill her cart.

It is a great project both for buyers and sellers. Selling is an art of wits. The blanket-vendor is dressing himself up to attract more potential buyers. In addition to appearance promotion, there is also ad promotion. The chef hat reads "selling at a loss". And sometimes, students after class turn out to be participants of the market business.

It reads "selling at a loss".

Special products for the Chinese New Year

Tongyuanju market becomes more popular than usual as the Chinese New Year nears. Red envelopes and couplets as ways of expressing good wishes are in great demand.