Dive into Jingshen's aquatic wonderland

The best part of the Jingshen Seafood market - Beijing's biggest purveyor of fish - is not only the great value, but also getting your oceanic victuals cooked right in front of you. That's right, any way you like - steamed, fried, pan-fried, stewed, boiled, you name it.

The three-story building, east of Guangcai Road in the city's south, includes both stalls and a big restaurant, sell enormous kinds of seafood, ranging from frozen mantis shrimp to live lobsters, and crabs.

The restaurant is on the third floor which houses 10 food stands. Hand over your purchase (packaged in plastic bags by the fishmongers) to the waitress and they will deliver it to cooks who work their culinary magic. The cooks hail from various parts of China, including Taipei, Xiamen and Dalian, and they conjure up dishes in their regional style.