Saturday and Sunday mornings at panjiayuan are when the serious dealers show up with the good stuff. Cultural revolution posters, vintage watches, old coins, military memorabilia.

Get there by 7am before the tourist buses arrive. Bring cash and your poker face — Vendors can smell desperation. Found a 1960s propaganda poster for 200 yuan that would cost 1000+ in the museum shops.

The permanent stalls inside are overpriced tourist stuff. Real finds are with the weekend vendors in the outdoor sections. Speak softly and examine everything carefully — Half the 'antiques' are reproductions but the other half are genuine gems.