The area around Yabaolu's fur market is plastered with advertisements for fur coats and accessories. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

His daughter says sales are unstable and dip in summer. About 80 percent of her customers are Russian. Others hail from other frigid regions such as northern Europe.

While most Chinese in the area speak at least basic Russian, Wei Chunlei is fluent.

"I thought that, since I live in Yabaolu, I should major in Russian in university," Wei says.

She spent part of her program in Moscow.

Another fur vendor, who only gave his surname, Qing, says being among the few locals who don't speak Russian has made it difficult to remain competitive.

"More than 80 percent of Russians here come for short visits, and more than 90 percent of them don't speak Chinese. It's about establishing trust even though we don't have much interaction."

A rickshaw driver from Anhui province, who only give his surname, Zheng, says learning Russian proved a great investment for him over the five years he has worked in Yabaolu.

"We have very little social contact with the Russians here," he says.

"But the economic impact is big."

He pays 100 yuan per lesson.

"Actually, I think it's cheap," he says.

Ads for Russian classes are prevalent in the area, and groups of Chinese fixers who speak the language linger outside the market, approaching Russian shoppers to offer to help them find what they're looking for at a good price, for a fee.

Zhang Yong charges about 100 yuan per customer.

The 32-year-old worked in the massage industry until he started Russian lessons with a tutor about a year ago.

He wears a T-shirt printed with the Russian words for "drink with me" to let visitors know he speaks their language.

"Working with Russians has influenced me," he says.

"They're relatively direct."