Jade Market, Hong Kong

The Jade Market is an indoor marketplace known for its wide selection of jade, pearls, gemstones, and other semi-precious items. Popular with both tourists and locals, it offers a traditional street-market atmosphere while providing the convenience of an enclosed setting. Shoppers visit for everything from inexpensive souvenirs to higher-end jade pieces, making it one of Kowloon’s most distinctive markets.

The market contains more than 400 stalls, each offering items that suit a range of budgets. Prices are flexible, and bargaining is expected. Vendors may begin with high starting prices, but buyers can usually negotiate to about half the asking price—or even lower—depending on the item and the stallholder. This approach is part of the experience and often leads to a lively, friendly exchange.

Understanding jade quality can help visitors make more informed purchases. Top-grade jade is a vivid, pure green and can be extremely expensive. Many pieces have yellow or lighter green tones, but well-finished items should not show brown or gray patches. The most valuable jade is semi-transparent, while opaque stones with cloudy areas tend to be of lower quality. In Chinese culture, jade is associated with beauty, purity, and protection. It is traditionally believed to promote good health and longevity, and many people wear jade amulets as protective charms.