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[mario]

Are there any big markets in Hefei like the silk or pearl market in beijing? 

[x0vash0x]

No, there is not. There is the temple market, which sells a lot of low quality household type goods and bits & pieces but that whole ares is currently closed and under renovation. There is one kind of market street called 裕丰花卉市场 Yù fēng huāhuì shìchǎng which sells a lot of plants, pets, aquariums, furniture, sculptures, fishing gear, antiques etc.

The Temple Market isn't closed. Have you been there since the construction started? Granted, it's not as big as it once was, but it's still pretty lively.

[x0vash0x]

Hi there. Yes, I might be wrong.

I live right near Temple Market and walk past it every day. Last night, I noticed that the entrances on MengCheng Rd and Anqing Rd were now completely barricaded up. Full-scale renovation has begun, but up until very recently, it was still open.

I'll check again today.

Huh... Alright. I was there on Saturday and they had the main entrances blocked but the area around the Temple itself and behind it were still open. There was overflow on the neighboring streets as well. My basic point is that I don't think the vendors are going to just disappear. I think they're in diaspora more than anything else. I'd guess they'll just move to the neighboring streets.

[x0vash0x]

I'm conflicted about the idea of "redevelopment" of such areas. I think they change the essential character of the place.

For example, 女人街 used to be a pretty vibrant little street with lots of shoppers and sellers peddling stuff. Then the government sexed it up, and became much more desolate, with many fewer pedestrians and less overall business. I've observed the same with the food market opposite Chenghuang miao. Many fewer people go there now after the redevelopment. I hope we don't see a Starbucks in Chenghuang miao.

I'm actually a little confused what exactly is happening with Cheghuang Miao. A friend has told me that it's moving north of the city towards the old train station. But, I'm not sure what exactly is happening.

I agree with you though. It seems that the local government is trying to commercialize (commoditize?) the market experience. But something gets lost in this process that's hard to recapture.

[Aussie Mike]

I really don't think much will change.

The markets and temple were built in the 1980's replacing the original temple in a different location slightly north about 1 block away.  I understand that the design was selected as a grasp at retaining some historical and cultural awareness at a time when China was loosing it oriental characteristics.

The external shops will be modernised as will the paving, much like Water Garden Lane was, parallel to Women's Street also revampted in SanXiaoKou.  The buildings and rabbit warren sections will probably remain as they are.

The store owners of Water Garden Lane have all retained their leases. No spaces are available.

NuRen Jie (Women's Street) had a larger number of shop front turnovers where the owners opted to rent the space or join forces with other merchants to create a larger front but the majority chose to stay and pay higher rents.  A good choice, a safer shopping area with much higher turn-over.  The food stalls often split the space and converted to twin franchise but in general there was improved quality and hygiene.

Look where the subway, bus terminal and museum are in relation to Temple Markets.
Property in AnQing Lu around MongCheng Lu is about to become very valuable.

Yes, coffee and tea shops will be abundant but fewer street venders and hockers.

[Aussie Mike]

Cool!  

It's also inside the ancient wall boundary.  Which, by the way is HuanChen Lu.  The original wall was pilfered after the 3 kingdoms war as viable building material.  The road inside the moat is all that remains of the wall.

Hefei is older than the western calendar, known then as LuZhou.

[x0vash0x]

It seems that a lot of the major construction is over with. I walked by there the other day and the inside of the market was open to pedestrians. I didn't walk through, so not sure how many shops are open, but it seems like things might be winding down.