One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to visit the markets. It’s one of the quickest ways to learn about the culture of a city and get acquainted with locals while picking up some souvenirs of the place you’re visiting. Tucked just across from the Temple of Heaven, the Hongqiao Pearl Market is one of those places that captures the heartbeat of Beijing — busy, vibrant, and full of surprises at every turn. It’s the kind of market where you can find absolutely everything: from silk scarves, electronics, jade trinkets and embroidered handbags to of course, rows and rows of lustrous pearls.
I first visited Hongqiao Market while living in Beijing. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a whirl of color and chatter. Vendors call out with cheerful “hello’s”, shoppers weave between stalls, and glass counters sparkle with strings of pearls in every shade imaginable — from soft pinks and creams to deep iridescent blacks. The Hongqiao Pearl market is one of Beijing’s most famous indoor markets with five floors of local (and imported) goods. As the name suggests, the Hongqiao market is pretty famous for its pearls. With more than 1 500 000 visitors every year, all of them coming just for pearls, it’s no surprise that you’re going to see a lot of them inside. That being said, the market offers a lot more than just pearls. From jewelry to cameras, to scarves to watches to handbags, you can be sure to find something that you’ll want to buy.
The market’s history stretches back decades, and although it has been modernized over time, it still holds that unmistakable old-Beijing charm. While the first few floors sell everything from gadgets to clothing, the top floor is where the magic happens — a treasure trove for pearl lovers. Here, you can watch the vendors string together necklaces by hand, their fingers moving with quiet precision, and if you linger long enough, they’ll often invite you to design your own piece. On the ground floor you will find a range of electronic items, from MP3 players to memory cards, mini disc players, camcorders and DVD players. You’ll find pretty much any kind of electronic item or tech gadget here.
On the second floor you will find women’s jewelry, traditional clothes, silk ties, shoes, handbags and suitcases. All kinds of hair accessories, wigs, cushion covers, Chinese printed table clothes and place mats can all be found here. The third floor contains a range of traditional Chinese art, ornaments, porcelain and chopsticks as well as all famous pearl section which actually stretches from the third floor to the fifth floor. Here you will find a variety of pearls from sea water pearls to freshwater pearls and in a wide range of colors, sizes and smoothness. These can range in prices from just a few yuan to tens of thousands of yuan.
Most shop keepers speak English but like all markets, the prices are usually marked up quite a bit. Be sure to brush up on your bargaining skills because no visit to Hongqiao is complete without the art of bargaining — a skill every Beijinger perfects with time. Prices are only suggestions here, and the real fun is in the exchange: a dance of smiles, calculator clicks, and good-natured laughter until both sides agree on a deal.
After a few successful purchases (and maybe one too many “good prices just for you!”), I stepped outside with my little bag of treasures and the buzz of the market still echoing behind me. Just across the road, the Temple of Heaven stood quiet and grand, its curved rooftops a sharp contrast to the lively chaos I’d just left.
It’s that perfect Beijing balance — ancient calm meeting modern energy.
The Hongqiao Pearl Market might not be as famous as the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace, but it’s every bit as memorable. It’s where you feel the spirit of the city up close, whether it be through the laughter of the vendors, the shimmer of the pearls or the friendly “come back tomorrow’s!”
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30 am – 7 pm
Location: No. 46, Tiantan Dong Lu, Chongwen District. You will find the market opposite Tiantan Park and to the east of the Temple of Heaven
Best Time to Shop
Any time between operating hours but early mornings are the best because many shop owners want to make their first sale. Bear in mind that Hongqiao Market is quite crowded in the afternoons.
How to get to there
Option 1: Take subway line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station and take exit A. Hongqiao Pearl Market will be straight ahead on your right. You will need to cross the street to enter.
Option 2: Take Bus No. 6, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 106, 116, 723, 743, 821 and get off at Fahuasi Stop.
Option 3: By Taxi (Show the following mandarin characters)
Hongqiao Pearl Market: 红桥市场 Address: 崇文区红桥路46号
LIFE OF SHAL 