[Nerida]

Thanks Amrita - I'm still not sure if I will go up or not - I will probably go to Shanghai from HK, so it depends a bit on what I've already bought... I have a reasonable amount of time up my sleeve!

[Sueki]

That's one impressive shopping centre....
Thanks for the photos. Amrita.
Nerida, if you do decide to go, do please let us know how you fare.

[Raisondetre]

Looks like it's another of those huge wholesale malls China seems to have ... there are similar ones for clothes and jewellery especially in Guangzhou and Yiwu, not all of them with good business. I do agree with the comment about connectivity and infrastructure. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere since China is so huge. Yiwu had fantastic 5-star restaurants and hotels, but the traffic and city management was awful I wouldn't ever go back there. I'd be interested to see if they eventually sell even jadeite and other gemstones that are traditionally valued. I was only going to Weitang next April, might wait and see if this is worth going to since I'll be making a special trip. Gotta work out how to cart the luggage from Shanghai to Suzhou and then Zhuji though. Yiwu really put me off since I had blood blisters on my hands from transferring luggage on and off the train. The ramps at the train station were awful!

[Nerida]

Raisondetre - I often leave luggage in the larger hotel I've stayed in in big cities if I'm doing a side trip. They are usually happy to store it, even if you are not staying there on your return...

[Doug (Integrity Pearls)]

I agree with Amrita - it will take some time before this ambitious new market becomes a mecca for outsiders; though ultimately, it may significantly impact the global freshwater pearl trade. It has a LONG way to go to catch up to Yiwu (another awesome place, if you are sourcing large volumes of small manufactured goods). At the moment, the cavernous new building is relatively empty, and many of the vendors that are there are complaining about the increase in operational costs. The new mega-market is not in Zhuji City proper, but another half-hour drive to Shanxiahu - Pearl City - out in the middle of nowhere.

Shanxiahu has nothing but pearls, though a few vendors have brought in semi-precious stones and other items. Shopping definitely does NOT favor small purchases, like a strand of this and a strand of that. Be prepared to buy by hanks and kilos, though smaller quantities of higher-end pearls are possible. And the asking prices, if you walk in off the street, will leave you wondering if you came to the wrong place. The very best pearls, as I understand it, are usually shipped off to Hong Kong or wherever they fetch higher prices... so you may have a hard time finding them unless you go hunting around the town, with a fistful of cash. Many of the local vendors have generally not learned what foreigners expect, and still don't realize outrageous markups and outright rip-offs are not good for long-term business.

There is one excellent hotel - the Hailiang Garden Hotel - but it is way out of town also. The only hotels within walking distance of the market are not at all desirable for the average foreigner (though I'm sure this will change). Don't expect to find any Western food. And be sure to have a completely trustworthy translator/guide who also knows pearls. (Virtually nobody speaks English).

Other than that, it's an awesome place! I usually go there by flying into Hangzhou and hiring a car (or getting picked up) to take me directly from the airport to Shanxiahu (about 90 minutes). You might want to visit just for the day. You may come away with just a few good deals (and you may not), but you will see pearls and pearl businesses from one horizon to the other, and that in itself makes the trip worthwhile!

Or wait just a few more years. The Chinese have a way of transforming situations (even entire cities) fast, when there is lots of money to be made!

[CarolK]

Hi, Amrita,

*GREAT* photos. Thank you for sharing with us on P-G!!!

Just curious, in the very first photo, is that mist and rain, or smog? It's rather overcast.

Thanks,
CarolK

[jshepherd]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Thanks Amrita - I'm still not sure if I will go up or not - I will probably go to Shanghai from HK, so it depends a bit on what I've already bought... I have a reasonable amount of time up my sleeve!

I would not suggest a trip out to Shanxiahu after the Hong Kong show. All the good stuff (especially large and round) will be at the Hong Kong show. I made that mistake once. It was very difficult to find anything worth buying.

[Raisondetre]

I was almost game enough to plan a trip to Suzhou, Zhuji, Hangzhou then back to Shanghai. If it doesn't pick up soon I might just give Zhuji a miss altogether.

[Amrita]

Originally Posted by CarolK

Hi, Amrita,

*GREAT* photos. Thank you for sharing with us on P-G!!!

Just curious, in the very first photo, is that mist and rain, or smog? It's rather overcast.

Thanks,
CarolK

Thanks for your comments. It is pleasure to share information on this forum.
To answer your question, it was an overcast and hazy day, Carol! SanXiahu is actually not a polluted area.

[GemGeek]

Thanks for the photo-tour!

[JWei]

Zhuji controls more than 80% of fresh water pearls in China. It is very easy to find ten tons of normal pearls. But it is still difficulty for you to find some special pearls.

Almost all large companies have subcompanies in Hongkang and go to fairs in Hongkang. If you need special pearls, you should preorder them. At the same time, you have to pay a standard price.