Beijing's ghost markets return with modern edge

Guishi, or ghost markets, were a fixture among Beijing's antiquities traders in the early 20th-century. After dusk, sellers and collectors gathered to trade valuables, mainly antiques and other possessions, bargaining quietly under the cover of darkness, where deals could unfold unnoticed.

That shadowy, mysterious atmosphere now fascinates a younger generation, some of whom are reimagining the format through contemporary art and creative events.

One such recent endeavor is Air Ghost Market running at Beijing's 798 Art Zone from March 26 to 29. Blending a century-old slice of urban culture with art installations and fashion design, the event brings a layered mix of old and new to the capital's spring nights.