People always say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. That probably explains why vintage goods, in spite of being criticized as "old" or "out of date" by many, still attract a certain crowd. That's why a recent vintage fair in Beijing attracted a large crowd.

Zhang Ru has the report.

Reporter:

In the last 30 years, the Chinese economy has undergone a dramatic change. The newly well-off Chinese embrace economic prosperity, as well as a thirst for new things.

But an appreciation towards old items has started to emerge.

Zhao Fei, a vintage enthusiast, has organized several vintage fairs since last year. He hopes people can distinguish the word "vintage" from "second-hand".

"Vintage style could be a feeling; it could be considered as something hidden inside. It's a different concept compared with 'second-hand'. Vintage goods show the spirit of a time period. For example, we can call things made in the 1950s to 1960s as vintage. There are certain cuts, designs and shapes to them. Clothes and jewelry of that time period are also quite different from today."

In order to differentiate his events from an ordinary marketplace, Zhao always chooses a unique venue for his fairs to make them fun and interactive such as a revamped Anglican church built in 1907 in downtown Beijing.

Outside, the grey-bricked building combines the Chinese and European architectural styles in its unique manner; inside, sellers and collectors proudly exhibit their beloved collections, from faded 70s French newspapers and old film posters to Japanese bamboo booths and dedicate embroidery made by the Miao people. With retro-style music playing in the background, passersby wearing outfits seemingly borrowed from some old European movies, visitors may feel like they've traveled back in time.

Clothing, trinkets, household items and retro artwork, the variety and gaiety of the exhibits can be dazzling. People pause every now and then to examine the commodities and talk with vendors. The fair has becomes a real visual treat.

In a narrow aisle, two toy collectors fiddle with a blue porcelain bust of Mr. Spock, a famous character from the 1960s American sci-fi TV series "Star Trek." Some other action figures shown on the booth are unknown to Chinese visitors.

Jiang Xinchi explained the reason behind her participation.

"Maybe no one knows the characters on the shelves, but I am trying my best to make them aware of their existence. Because many factories already stopped producing such toys, I am collecting and selling these toys so that, gradually, people could stock up on them and create an atmosphere of love in their homes."

For others, the vintage fair is more than an opportunity to promote your own interests. It's also a perfect venue to enhance your nation's image.

Dressing up in traditional Bavarian cloth, Alois from Munich brought German cameras, crystal glasses, alarm clocks and postcards from the 1920s to 30s.

"I want to bring them and show them: Germany is not only the cars, but also some different kind of things."

In his opinion, vintage goods help us restore history.

"Good things could hold for a very long time. If today you buy it, you can give it as a present to your child. So it takes generations. But nowadays, if you buy something electronic or new technology, maybe use up to five years. But these old things are made for maybe one hundred years. It is a fascinating thing. It is also kind of history to see how people thought in this generation, what was important to them."

Due to the limit of space, many visitors have to wait in lines to get inside. Some people even stand in the cold for hours. However, the long wait is worth entering the fair.

Chen Cuiwen brings the whole family to the fair and takes delight in this unique experience.

"There is something unexpected inside, particularly the older items. They bring back memories and make you feel like you've traveled through time. You can never find such handcrafts in big shopping malls."

Not everyone is enamored with vintage fairs, but according to Zhao Fei, founder of the events, more than two-thousand people attended the fair, which is a striking figure for something on the fringe of China's mainstream.

However, despite the success, Zhao has no intention to move the event to a bigger venue.

"I don't want to make it too popular, because it is still a subculture, in essence. I want to promote vintage culture then let other people accept it, but more importantly, I want to keep it in its original form, otherwise the fair will get spoiled and boring."