A 40-minute drive from downtown Beijing, you'll find the bustling Shahe Market where you can taste mouth-watering local food, find bargains and immerse yourself in the lively festive atmosphere of the upcoming Spring Festival.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 You've probably never seen Beijing like this.
00:04 At dawn, the market is open.
00:10 40 minutes drive from downtown,
00:12 you'll find a place full of hustle and bustle,
00:15 where some people still pay back cash.
00:17 This tradition dates back to at least a thousand years ago in China,
00:25 and still brings joy to people today.
00:28 So, sit back and relax,
00:31 let's get this delicious journey started.
00:33 The open-air markets can usually be found in suburban areas.
00:44 No dress code, no social pressure,
00:46 it's a perfect escape for people from the city.
00:55 In winter, the market is all about atmosphere.
00:58 Hele noodles, a special kind of noodle dish,
01:19 is not that familiar to many Chinese people.
01:23 We call a Hele noodle maker the "bed" of the noodles.
01:26 It produces thick and chewy noodles that goes well with gravy or broth.
01:32 It is a little bit like Italian spaghetti,
01:35 but more distinct in taste because of the buckwheat.
01:38 People from northeastern China are famous for their toughness.
01:46 So is their food.
01:48 Come, folks, have some lamb soup,
01:50 it's hot pot soup.
01:52 It's been at least 3 hours since we've been on the plane.
01:54 It's fresh and sweet.
01:56 Zhou needs a big face, and a strong smell.
01:58 Flatten the dough ball and toss it into the boiling oil.
02:06 The dough soon puffs up, turning crispy and golden brown.
02:10 Zhou's recipe of smoked pork contains over 30 ingredients.
02:15 The juicy, tender and fragrant pork is Zhou's secret weapon in his wrap.
02:20 Chop it up, and don't forget the sauce.
02:26 Fat and carbs, definitely a comfort food in winter times.
02:30 The whole of north China is in this market,
02:34 and the main northern crop, wheat, is everywhere.
02:43 This one is a little kung fu.
02:45 The special oven is driven from hundreds of miles away
02:49 from east China's Shandong province.
02:51 This oven uses clay near China's Yellow River,
03:01 and handmade by the vendor, with charcoals underneath to bake.
03:05 Season with pepper and salt.
03:10 Cut it into shapes like chrysanthemum,
03:13 finish with honey syrup, and swiftly put into the oven.
03:17 The technique usually takes years to master.
03:20 Not everyone can do it.
03:22 The freshly baked flatbread is crusty on the outside,
03:28 soft and fluffy on the inside,
03:30 striking a great balance between salty and sweet.
03:33 Yes, he's definitely right.
03:35 Slow-cooked mutton soup is another hearty delicacy from Shandong province.
03:44 It's perfect for warming up in winter.
03:46 Zhou's store has stood the test of time.
03:53 The mutton soup is a classic,
03:55 and the most popular dish in the market.
03:57 It's a classic, and the most popular dish in the market.
04:00 This is really a classic.
04:02 Zhou's store has stood in the market for 13 years.
04:05 His family recipe has been passed down from his grandfather.
04:08 Chop the lamb offal,
04:10 pour the broth,
04:12 brown white pepper is crucial for the mutton soup
04:14 to balance its richness and aroma.
04:16 One mutton soup costs around $2.
04:20 Pretty reasonable, but remember to get a flatbread as a side.
04:24 Why is your business so good?
04:28 I don't know, but it's delicious.
04:31 Eating in the open air is not what Chinese people usually do,
04:36 but that's how you experience the market.
04:38 Clever shoppers know when to buy for a good price.
04:41 It's when the market is about to close.
04:44 With so many good delicacies and products from everywhere,
04:48 you never leave empty-handed.
04:50 The Chinese New Year is a good reason for shopping,
04:54 and also a good reason for reunions.
04:58 Many vendors will go home on New Year's Eve.
05:01 They say if you walk on the first day of the new year,
05:04 the whole year will be tough.
05:06 I hope to spend the New Year with my family.
05:09 Make more money.
05:11 Buy a house and a car.
05:13 I hope my children will be healthy.
05:15 I hope my career will be healthy.
05:17 It's a good thing.
05:19 People love the open air market,
05:22 because it's just like the city of Beijing,
05:24 it's big, it embraces everything and everyone.
05:27 You can always find things you want,
05:30 and return home with a good hope.
05:32 The market may not be perfect,
05:35 but in a place not far from the urban hustle,
05:38 it gives people a place to relax,
05:41 a reason to let their guard down,
05:43 which reminds us of the New Year,
05:45 or more childhood memories.
05:47 [Music]
05:49 [Music]
05:52 [Music]
05:54 (audience laughing)