Close to the city center, Qing Shi Qiao market offers an unusual mixture of goods. The middle of Xinkai Jie is home to a two-story art market featuring a variety of wood, stone, and porcelain crafts and sculpture, calligraphy and landscape paintings, jade stamps, and Buddha figures. There are a number of flower shops along Xinkai Jie, including some which sell cacti. Once you turn left onto Nanfu Jie you will reach another row of small tree, lawnmower, and garden shops followed by a jampacked, flower market at the end of the street. Take a stroll through the winding alleys of the flower market for a breathe of fresh air and momentary escape from the urban landscape.
The pet and pet supply shops are easily the most curious part of the street. Five or ten years ago these pets were likely purchased to be...well...eaten. But times have changed in China, and having a pet is one of China's newest and most popular trends. Puppies, kittens, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, turtles, and a wide assortment of fish are available. However, the condition of the pet shops will probably not remind you of home. Visitors to the street will probably never see so many home aquarium shops in one confined place in their entire life. One shop even sells purebred huskies, but they aren't cheap.
In a nutshell, the Qing Shi Qiao market exudes a rather strange vibe when compared with other Chengdu locales. If you have an hour to spare, give it a shot, and you might end up with a souvenir or photo opportunity you had not expected.
Directions:With Mao's statue and Tianfu Square at your back, head south on Renmin Lu. You will soon turn left onto Xinguanghua Jie and then bear right onto Jinxing Lu. Xinkai Jie will soon appear on your right side. The walk should be less than 15 minutes from Tianfu Square.
Address: Xinkai Jie and Nanfu Jie