Jade Market & Jade Street
Shopping in Hong Kong
Situated at the junction of Battery Street and Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei, the Jade Market is the best place to get jade items in Hong Kong. The market was opened in 1984 and is a terrific place to shop for souvenirs. The shops here are open from 10 am to 5 pm. There are over four hundred stalls selling a variety of items including bracelets, pendants, ornaments and carvings. Jade Street is the road adjoining the market and it contains more products. The shops here are open from 9 am to 4 pm. A gigantic jade stone weighing nearly three tons has been placed at the juncture of Jordan Road and Canton Road, as a street landmark.
The goods sold at this market and street range in price from a few dollars to several hundred thousand. The price of the items depends on its size and the grade of the jade used. The products vary in colour from green to yellow, brown to white and sometimes, pieces are inserted with a dye to make the colour stronger. The top grade jade is entirely green in colour and is also the most expensive variety. It should be somewhat translucent; a product which is completely opaque is less valuable. Many pieces will have a slight yellow tinge which is normal, but there should not be any grey or brown.
Jade is a symbol of purity and beauty and is associated with good health and long life, making it a highly popular gemstone. It is a local custom for grandmothers to buy jade artefacts for their new-born grandchildren. Tourists who are inexperienced with buying this product should think twice before purchasing very expensive items. Moreover, there are several places where one can get purchases appraised. Getting to the market is made easy thanks to the city’s excellent public transport. Those taking the MRT should get down at the Yaa Ma Tei MRT Station and then walk along Nathan Road.
Tourists looking for luxury hotels in Hong Kong close to the city’s shopping districts can try The Langham Hong Kong. This Hong Kong hotel is situated at the centre of the popular Tsimshatsui shopping district and is close to many of the city’s landmarks.