An Overall Guide to Jade Market and Jade Street

Jade Market Hong Kong is a popular indoor street market selling jade, pearls, jewellery and semi-precious gemstones in different types and quality. As a thousand-year-long Chinese culture, buying and owning Jade are very popular in Hong Kong.

Although it’s not a typical street market in Hong Kong, It is still a great place to hunt and bargain for some affordable jade souvenirs, and also to experience and learn more about Hong Kong’s local jade tradition.

Jade Market Hong Kong

What is the Jade Market?

Jade Market Hong Kong is one of the most famous and popular street markets for visitors. It is not only about jade, but also with pearls and many other types of gemstones. Although the name implies a traditional or typical open street market, it is actually an indoor market. Having said that, it makes this attraction also a great choice for rainy days.

Indoor stalls and shops

No matter you plan to buy jade, pearls or the related items, the Jade Market is a great place to hunt and bargain for some affordable jade bracelets, pendants, amulets, necklaces, bangles, rings, earrings, accessories and good luck charms.

Stalls selling all kinds of jade

If you are looking for some semi-precious gemstones, such as turquoise, opal, agate, amber, amethyst, tiger’s eye, amazonite, etc., Jade Market is the place.

Stands inside Jade Market

This street market is located in Yau Ma Tei right in the heart of Kowloon and officially better known under the name of “Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar”.

Entrance of Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar

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Highlights of the Jade Market

This street market consists of two parts located on both sides of Battery Street. The Battery Street naturally divides the market into Zone A and Zone B.

Zone A of the Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar

Zone B of the Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar

There are hundreds of stores and small stalls in each zone selling everything related with jade, jewelry， gemstones and pearls.

The market in Zone A is larger than Zone B. Zone A has around 340 stalls while in Zone B you still will have a chance to browse through roughly 100 different shops and stalls.

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Jade Street – Right next to Jade Market

Nearby the Jade Market is a street with various jewellery stores. This street is also known as the Jade Street. Jade Street is a section on Canton Road (located just between Jordan Road and Kansu Road) and nearby the Jade Market.

Jade Street

So, in case you, you can’t get enough of quality jade and gemstones, don’t have success finding what you are looking, or are a true Jade lover, you can stroll along the Jade Street.

In fact, Jade Street is an attraction of itself. You are able to find numerous shops selling jade products there. Since this part of the Canton Road has an over 100-year history of trading jade, you are able to find experts who can help you to judge and authenticate your precious stones.

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Hong Kong’s tradition and culture of jade and pearls

Owing a piece of jade has a long tradition in Chinese and Hong Kong culture. Therefore, visiting this indoor market is a unique opportunity to experience local gemstone and jade culture.

Especially in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, jade is a very precious sacred stone or crystal. Many people believe that it has a positive influence on luck and prosperity and ward off ghosts, bad luck and other health-related hazards. Therefore, in ancient times, Jade was often used in a sacrifice ritual or considered as the symbol of personal status. The Chinese imperial seals were also carved with jade.

Besides Jade, different gemstones also have various functions and meanings.

Lucky pork jade

The colour of the jade varies and there is a great variety of colours you can choose: from green to yellow, brown to even complete white and translucent. The Chinese character for jade is a combination of beauty and purity and therefore often associated with long life and/or good health.

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What can you buy and see at the Jade Market?

Hundreds of stores and small stalls sell literally everything related with jade, jewellery, gemstones and pearls. You are able to find a wide variety of jade and semi-precious gems and stones in all colours, sizes, shapes and price ranges.

Jade bangles in every colour and sizes

So, no matter if you are looking for a lucky Buddha amulet, figurines or some lucky jade charms such as Chinese zodiacs, this is the place to be.

Jade necklaces and amulets

Furthermore, this place is also great if you are looking for vintage necklaces or if you are thinking about customizing some fashion jewellery.

Jade and pearl necklaces

For those who are looking for gemstone figurines and jewllery, you will also find something.

Bracelets made of different gemstones

There are also other interesting items such as traditional Chinese coins, beads, pearls and lose stones.

Lucky Jade charms

And of course you also can spot some special souvenirs (e.g. chopsticks, mahjong made of jade) for your friends, family or colleagues.

Happy buddha figures made of jade

Jade stone as belly pork

There is a letter lane at the end of Jade Market providing service for tax declaration and letter writing. The guests are often those who do not understand the complicated tax bills and legal documents.

The letter lane was for helping customers writing letters back home. After WWII, service was provided for tax declaration and English letter writing. Even till present days, there are still many customers, such as taxi drivers, small shop owners, who will visit these stalls. The peak months of business are between April and October each year.

Service for tax declaration and letter writing

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Prices and bargaining skills

Prices from affordable to expensive

To be frank, the prices at this street market are a mixed bag. Displayed items are usually the affordable ones, while for the more expensive and rare ones you have to ask the owners to get it. Although, you still might be able to find some good fine quality pieces of Jade here, chances are rather on the low side.

Prices at the Jade Market

In case you are looking for some high-end valuable precious stones, I would recommend looking for them from the more reliable jewellery shops and chain stores.

Bargaining is a must

Negotiation is a must on Jade Market. Be aware that as a visitor (especially with foreigner look), shops will give you higher prices and you need to know your bargaining skills. Most stalls accept cash only.

As a customer, make sure to bargain and negotiate

Tips for buying jade and pearls

Be sure that if you are ready to purchase that you are capable of differentiating the real jade from those made of glass, plastic or other materials. You should know what you are paying for and whether it’s worth the value.

Spotting fake jade can be quite difficult. Taking a look against the light sometimes will reveal a fake jade since the light will be diffused and become blurrier. Sometimes buyers will take a close look at the jade against the sunlight to spot if there are any “bubbles” inside. This is an indication that the jade has been manipulated with plastic or silicon.

Hold the jade in hand. The real jade should be cold and smooth. It takes a while for the real jade to warm up.

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Is it worthwhile to visit this street market?

Jade Market and its nearby Jade Street are a collection of the most jade and gemstone products in Hong Kong. While some casual shoppers may argue that this is one of the best places to buy jade in Hong Kong, others see this market more of what it is, a fun place to purchase some affordable jade items and souvenirs.

Some piece of advice if you really opt to purchase high-end jade: Don’t keep high expectation to find the best jade or great bargains. The Jade Market is more of a bazaar, tid-bits or second-hand type kind of market.

Traditional lucky charms

However, it is great if you hunt for some decorative cheap items or some not too expensive souvenirs for memory. In case you are looking for good quality jade, you should know what to look for and do some homework. I highly recommend visiting an official and licensed shop by the Hong Kong Tourism Association.

Even if you don’t plan to purchase anything, you still can enjoy the manifold stores and stalls selling all kinds of pearls, jade, bracelets and trinkets, representing Hong Kong’s urban life. Strolling around the many aisles, watching the vendors discussing, bargaining and negotiating is quite fun and a true local experience.

What are the opening hours and when is it the best time to visit?

The opening hours of the Jade Market are daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. However, the business hours can vary from shop to shop. Be prepared that some shop owners only open up after lunch or only for a few hours.

The best time to visit the Jade Market is in the early morning hours. Shop owners, sellers and traders are eager to do business as soon as they open up. For many business owners it is important to close a deal as soon as possible since it is believed that any business no matter how small it is will bring good luck for the rest of the day.

Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (daily)

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Where is the exact location and How to get to Jade Market?

The Jade Market Hong Kong is located in Yau Ma Tei on the both sides of Battery Street. The nearby Jade Street is on Canton Street starting from Kansu Street to Jordan Road.

Yau Ma Tei is the center of Kowloon area. Jade Market is just 7-min walking distance away from either Yau Ma Tei or Jordan MTR station. This indoor jewellery market can be easily reach by all means of transportation. You can use either MTR network, public bus or taxi to get there.

In case you are already in Mongkok for other street markets, shopping or sightseeing, you could leisurely stroll down there.

Entrance of Zone B

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Nearby popular attractions on/close to the Jade Market

In close proximity there are other popular and famous attractions and sightseeing highlights. These include the Ladies Market, Bird Garden, and as well as the Electronic Street and Sneaker Street.

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