Jade Market
Shop for trinkets if you don't know your jade
Possessing jade is considered good luck to the Chinese because of its association with a long and healthy life. For that reason, you often see Chinese women wearing jade–as a bracelet, earrings or a pendant–as a safeguard against health problems. Hong Kong’s Jade Market, housed in two temporary-looking buildings that look like they could disappear by morning, features some 400 licensed vendors. Jade comes in a variety of hues and quality. In Hong Kong, most jade is jadeite from Myanmar, with the highest quality a pure green.
Unless you know your jade and what to look for, however, you’ll probably want to do your expensive shopping at stores like Chinese Arts & Crafts or at one of the many shops in nearby Jade Street (which is actually a part of Canton Street between Kansu St. and Jordon Rd.). Still, the Jade Market a fun place to browse for inexpensive trinkets, including bangles, earrings, and cellphone charms, as well as strings of freshwater pearls.
Kansu and Battery streets, Yau Ma Tei
Hours: Daily 10-4 (open to 5 if it's a busy day)
www.discoverhongkong.com
MTR: Yau Ma Tei