Jade Brigade

Hong Kong has another jade market.

The better-known market on all the tourist maps exists in Jordan under the flyover at the corner of Battery Street and Kansu Street.

But few tourists venture to Sham Shui Po, other than those interested in discounted clothing or scoping the wares at Golden Computer Centre.

Now that the jade traders have moved from the back alleys into the Tung Chau Street temporary market, tourists have a reason to visit. Dubbed the Shamshuipo Jade Market, the location offers tourists and locals a better shopping environment.

One vendor said:

"One has to remember that buying jade is not like buying a chicken in a street market. The buyers have to bide their time to find their favourites and this pleasant atmosphere will help to keep them here longer and give us more business."

The new market won't harm the Jordan location's business, as the jade sold in Sham Shui Po is distinctive.

"Customers here are mainly jade collectors who are different from those in Jordan Road, [where] ... the customers are workshops and shops which buy jade from outside and resell it after cutting it into various sizes and shapes. Customers here primarily collect old jade that is not of a high quality."

The market is under the West Kowloon Corridor, just a short walk down Kweilin Street from Exit C2 of the Sham Shui Po MTR station.

Along with the venue, a new proverb has been born: buying jade is not like buying a chicken.

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