Donghuamen Night Market

DONGHUAMEN NIGHT MARKET

Established in 1984, Dongjuamen Night Market is either a connoisseur's delight or a night of fright, depending on your palate. To easterners, this is a splendid place to sample traditional and exotic Chinese cuisine. To westerners, the market can best be described as the Beijing display of Fear Factor food challenges. The Rolling Stones sang "You can’t always get what you want…" But can’t you do better than this?

Crunchy deep-fried scorpions on a stick, starfish, seahorses and numerous insects are just a few of the more recognizable delicacies offered at the northern end of Wangfujing's wide walking boulevard. My Chinese friends said the food offered up by the 60+ street vendors is yummy and safe to eat. I am usually an adventurous soul, but I found myself passing on one-of-a-kind goodies and "mystery meat."

However, I have never been to another food court that offered so many wonderful photo opportunities. This is one place you've got to see to believe.