The key to success is to have enough time to browse. Antique embroidery at the Liu Li Chang. About two hours' drive from Beijing is the former port city of Tianjin, where foreigners had their respective legations and were kept at arm's length from the Imperial capital. Here, the well-known flea market is still a bargain hunters' paradise. Beautiful European glass lampshades, clocks, cutlery, silverware, photographs, cameras and very collectible crockery from the late 19th century to the 1940s abound.
Prices are reasonable, too.
Currently, this place is the best in China. But again, be careful. He Lu used to have goodies but over the past three years, it has degenerated into a tourist trap. Similarly, the Fu Yuo Lu antiques market in Shanghai is interesting to visit but hardly a place for good stuff. But if you are there, it is still worth browsing.