[ndmro]

Greetings, my first post and first trip to Shanghai. Thanks to everyone who participates in the forums. I have read previous threads and have learned much, but would still like the latest and greatest advice on where to buy (e.g. Ling Ling) in Shanghai for freshwater pearls. Zhuji is an option but may be too adventurous for a newbie. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Nerida]

Go to Hongqiao Pearl City - not just for pearls, but the pearl traders there are much better set out and more accessible than in Nanjing Rd or Yu Gardens - major traders are there, but just keep looking around and negotiate everything! Also, if there is something special you want - ask - they may have it but just "not on display"... there are probably 50 or more vendors (maybe 80?) so be prepared to be there for a while.

Wouldn't consider Zhuji until you feel comfortable with your negotiating skills and also prices won't be much lower unless you are buying large quantities.

[gmmiller]

I've only been in Shanghai a few weeks but a friend introduced me to Kitty at the the pearl market in Yu Gardens.
Kitty is very sweet and gives a good price without much barter.

I know Nerdia said Yu Gardens was not so good but it's the only place I know so far. All I have bought are very inexpensive
and fun items (see my album for examples) and I don't know anything about pearls yet but if you have time after visiting
Hongqiao and want to visit Yu Gardens here is the info:



--Gina

[ndmro]

thanks Gina! the map was especially helpful to a newbie like me. I will definitely take a look at your album.

[gmmiller]

I just found this ad for the Hongqiao Market. Is this the one you will be visiting?

[ndmro]

Yes, I have three wonderful days set aside to look and learn and hopefully buy! Thanks again...! Maps and addresses are a big help. Thanks for sharing.

[Nerida]

Yu yuan is good, just that I think Hongqiao is set out better, and probably more user-friendly. Ling ling is at Nanjing Road (558 EAST Nanjing Road) and at Hongqiao, same as Daxi Pearls and RuPeiPei. There are many many good smaller traders at all three places, but do look around before you buy too much! There were definitely more tourists at Hongqiao though - and a few westerners who seemed to know what they were doing. I also bought some sterling silver findings from one of the traders there. Good luck!

[pearl_lover]

Last month I could not find Daxi at Hongqiao Market

[Nerida]

Daxi are there - shop 2023. I did buy some things there last week.

[pearl_lover]

thanks - let me check out during my next visit.

[Nerida]

Hi again - thought I would post these pics of the Hongqiao market pearl floor - I was there for 7 hours on one day - wish I had had a second day to visit!


There are 3 main aisles like this in the main section of the floor - then it goes around the corner a bit too! More "major" traders are around the perimeter in more permanent/high end looking shops. Each of these stalls looks like this - remember that all the cupboards and under the countertops are jam-packed with MORE PEARLS!


You definitely need as much time as you can possibly get! Most of the businesses have at least a few staff members with reasonable English - sometimes better, sometimes worse, but for the most part, you can manage to buy here quite comfortably without any need to speak Mandarin. Hopefully some more of the forum members may get the opportunity to visit sometime.

[Nerida]

PS Apologies to GemGeek and Octavia - I'm no photojournalist!

[Amrita]

Thanks for posting these pictures, Nerida! They are good! This looks so similar to the Beijing HongQiao Pearl Market - in fact, from the photos I am sure it could be mistaken for the Beijing one! Except it looks a bit newer and maybe more spacious - not sure!
Thanks!

[jerin]

Great photos, Nerida! Thanks!

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by Nerida

PS Apologies to GemGeek and Octavia - I'm no photojournalist!

No! They're terrific. What a beautiful place to shop!