Also Known As: Pearl Market Beijing / Hongqiao Market
Chinese Name: 红桥珍珠市场 (hóng qiáo zhēn zhū shì chǎng)
📍 Address: No. 9 Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing (across from the Temple of Heaven)
🕘 Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
This guide is based on real traveler feedback and verified sources from Youtube, Reddit and trusted OTA travel platforms (2022–2025).
🏯 Should I Visit Hongqiao Pearl Market?
Located just opposite the Temple of Heaven, Hongqiao Pearl Market is one of Beijing’s most iconic shopping destinations. While it’s best known for pearls, the market also offers jade jewelry, electronics, stone handicrafts, and even live seafood. It spans 8 floors and covers over 4,500 square meters.
More than 1 million shoppers visit each year—including high-profile guests like former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who came three times, captivated by the pearls.
For travelers, it offers a mix of authentic culture, hard-to-find goods, and a crash course in bargaining Chinese-style.
Even if you don’t plan to purchase anything, it’s still worth a visit for the experience alone. It’s right across from the Temple of Heaven, so you can stop by afterward—there are also plenty of food options inside the market for a convenient lunch.
🗂️ What You’ll Find: Floor Overview + What’s Worth Buying
| Floor | Products | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| -1F to 3F | Seafood | Live fish, abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin—mostly for restaurants |
| 1F | Electronics, Watches | Phone accessories, cameras, gadgets, replica watches |
| 2F | Silk, Clothing | Traditional Chinese clothing and scarves (now limited) |
| 3F–5F | Pearls, Jade, Handicrafts | Freshwater & saltwater pearls, jade carvings, stone seals, custom jewelry |
Let’s break down what’s actually worth buying.
💎 Pearls (Floors 3–5): Still the Star of the Show
Hongqiao is still China’s largest pearl distribution hub. Options range from basic freshwater strands to baroque Tahitian and South Sea pearls.
Best floor to shop? The 3rd floor. Vendors here are open to negotiation, offer better prices, and often customize pieces on the spot.
💰 Typical Prices (after bargaining):
| Type of Pearl | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Freshwater (basic sets) | ¥300–¥800 |
| Akoya (8–9mm) | ¥800–¥1,500 |
| Baroque Tahitian | ¥1,500–¥6,000 |
| Australian White | ¥1,000–¥3,000+ |
Shops on the 4th floor may offer certificates of authenticity, but they tend to charge higher prices due to branding.
🪨 Jade, Name Seals & Handicrafts (2F–4F)
Looking for traditional souvenirs with meaning? Try:
- Jade bangles, pendants, and statues
- Custom stone seals (also called “name chops”) engraved with your Chinese and English name
- Hand-carved ornaments
🧑💬 “Got a jade pendant and a name seal carved with my English name. They finished it in 20 minutes for less than ¥100.”
— Asia Media Centre
⚙️ Electronics & Gadgets (1F): Be Cautious
The first floor has:
- Phone cases, Bluetooth earbuds, charging cables
- Watches (quality varies widely)
- Basic cameras or action cams
🧑💬 “Some of the electronics work fine. Some broke within a week. It’s hit or miss.”
— Reddit – r/beijing
Only buy if you can test it on-site. There’s no return policy.
👕 Clothing & Replica Goods: Mostly Gone
If you visited before 2020, you probably saw rows of fake Gucci bags and North Face jackets. That has changed.
🧑💬 “I asked about shoes and the seller pulled out her phone to show me a WeChat catalog. Everything’s gone underground now.”
— Reddit – r/travelchina
Beijing’s stricter enforcement has cleaned up most counterfeit stalls, but some vendors still discreetly offer goods through private WeChat deals—if you ask.
🧠 Shopping Tips
🛍️ Bargaining is a Must
- Always let the vendor quote first
- Start by offering 50% of their price, then negotiate upward
- Walk away to trigger a better counter offer
- Ask for extras like polishing cloths or free earrings
🔍 How to Choose Pearls
When shopping, check for:
- Nacre thickness: thicker = more durable
- Surface blemishes: natural imperfections are common but lower price
- Lustre: a mirror-like glow is a good sign
Avoid buying anything too perfect at too low a price—it’s often plastic or imitation.
📱 Watch for WeChat Deals
For clothing or brand-name replicas, you’ll likely need to:
- Ask discreetly
- Add the vendor on WeChat
- Browse catalogs privately
But note that this is a grey area and comes with quality and trust risks.
🚇 How to Get There
🚇 By Subway:
Take Beijing Metro Line 5 → Temple Of Heaven(Tiantan) East Gate Station, Exit at B, then walk 5 minutes north
🚌 By Bus:
- Bus lines: 6, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 72, 116, 128, 525, 599, 684
- Night buses: 11, 24
- Get off at Fahuasi Station
✅ Final Tips
- ✔️ Come for the pearls, jade, and custom handicrafts
- ⚠️ Test the electronics before you buy them
- ⚠️ Don’t expect to see replica bags openly—ask discreetly if interested
- 💬 Bargaining is part of the fun—take your time and compare shops
- 🧾 Want authenticity? Stick to 4th floor shops, but expect to pay more
🏯 Combine Your Visit: Temple of Heaven + Hongqiao Pearl Market
📌 Just across the street from Hongqiao Pearl Market is one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks—the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park).
These two spots make a perfect half-day combo:
| 📍 Stop | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Temple of Heaven | Explore Ming/Qing-era imperial architecture, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, and beautiful ancient pine groves. Ideal in the morning. |
| Hongqiao Pearl Market | Head here afterward for lunch, souvenir shopping, and a taste of real-world bargaining culture. Best in late morning or early afternoon. |
Many travelers recommend doing Temple of Heaven first, then crossing the road for shopping and a meal at Hongqiao Market.
🕘 Combined time needed: 3–4 hours
🎥 Watch Other Traveler Real Experiences
These YouTube videos offer an authentic visual tour of Hongqiao Pearl Market and are a perfect way for readers to understand what to expect before visiting.
⏱️ Short Quick Walk-Around Preview (1.5 Minutes)
Perfect for readers with limited time—this brief video highlights the main areas and gives a fast sense of the layout and environment. Great for a quick visual overview.
📹 Full Immersive Experience (Real-Time Walkthrough)
Experience the full market atmosphere as if you’re there: walking through different floors, browsing perfumes, electronics, clothes, shoes stalls, and watching real bargaining interactions. This video is ideal for readers who want a detailed, immersive sense of the space.
