This is our first trip to China. We will be in Shanghai for a few days at the end of May and would like to see many and perhaps buy some pearls. My wife is relatively knowlegable about pearls. Pearl City in Suzhou was recomended as the best place to go. I also found a Pearl City Shanghai. Is it worth a trip to Suzhou? What is the best way to go: a tour, train and taxi, hire taxi for day etc? how long should one allow?

Originally Posted by Tom

This is our first trip to China. We will be in Shanghai for a few days at the end of May and would like to see many and perhaps buy some pearls. My wife is relatively knowlegable about pearls. Pearl City in Suzhou was recomended as the best place to go. I also found a Pearl City Shanghai. Is it worth a trip to Suzhou? What is the best way to go: a tour, train and taxi, hire taxi for day etc? how long should one allow?

Suzhou is one of the best places for buying pearls not only for big buyers but for individuals. The price of pearls is sure to be lower than that in Shanghai because of lots of pear farms in Zuzhou. However, whether it is worth a trip to Suzhou will depend on the overall amount of pearls you would like to buy. There is a big pearl wholesale center (Pearls Jewellery City)in Weitang, Suzhou. It will take you 1.5-2 hours by train or taxi from Shanghai to Weitang, which is not long trip. Hopefully you will find your favorite
pearls there.

I agree with the last member, it depends on how much you want to buy. It takes an entire day and $100 to $200 in Taxi/private car fees to get there. If you want unusually shaped pearls, that are rather inexpensive, just stay in Shanghai. If you are looking for larger (9 mm and up) roundish pearls, the pricing is better in Suzhou, but you will need to buy more than a few strands to make of the cost of the trip.

Cindy Clark
Passion Pearls