Bargain hunting in Hongkou
Scoping out the goods and shopping with a clean conscience at the Hongkou flea market
The monthly Hongkou flea market organized by Gongyijia (公益家), focuses on arts and crafts, and second hand, repurposed and recycled items. Proceeds from the event go to help migrant school children.
"The idea is to make charity fashionable, make friends and share the kindness," says volunteer Nicholas Tang (唐子建). And judging by some of the vendors' wares (hats with attached spectacles, anyone?), they're on their way to doing just that.
The next markets are scheduled for March 12 and April 16.
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Get there: 1933 creative hub, 10 Shajing Lu, near Zhoujiazui Lu (1933老场坊, 沙泾路10号, 近周家嘴路). The closest metro station is Hailun Lu (海伦路) on Metro Lines 4 and 10.
Hongkou flea market tips:1. Ask questions. When you are buying handmade arts and crafts, half the fun is learning the story behind the work.
2. Be prepared to sort through the junk. Not everything at the market follows the theme of unique, handcrafted and individually created items, so don’t be overwhelmed if the first thing you see is second-hand clothes or socks.
3. Have fun. Even if you don’t see anything you want to buy, just soak up the atmosphere and don’t take things too seriously.
4. Participate. If you have something to sell at the Hongkou flea market at 1933, contact gongyijia@live.cn for information.
