Relocation of famous Beijing wholesale market nears completion

BEIJING - The relocation of a clothing wholesale market in downtown Beijing, once the largest in Asia, is coming to an end, with the number of visitors dropping to less than 10,000 from 70,000 at its peak.

According to the government of Xicheng district, over 5,000 tenants at the Beijing Zoo Wholesale Market have signed intention agreements with commercial markets in neighboring Tianjin municipality and Hebei province, and the remaining relocation work will be completed soon.

The Tianjin and Hebei markets and local governments have promised to offer low-priced residential apartments, discounted or even rent-free market stalls and favorable policies for the education of tenants' children.

The relocation project forms part of a broader plan for the integration of Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, and is among the capital's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and population density.

Built in the mid-1980s, the Zoo Market was a hit among young people who wanted to look fashionable on a budget and clothing shop owners across the country. The relocation kicked off in 2014.