The largest pearl store near the Temple of Heaven
The famous Pearl Market is very close to Beijing Haige International Hotel. Visitors from all over the world like to visit the Pearl Market for various items. When I visit a shop named Fanghua Pearl and Jewel, I was very impressed their beautiful, natural pearl necklaces. If you also want to give yourself a more elegant and noble look, don’t miss this shop.
This well-decorated shop is on the 4th floor of the market. You will find numerous pearl necklaces neatly displayed in the shop. The colors included milk white, golden yellow, pink, and black.
Ms. Carrie is a kind shop keeper. She told me Fanghua is the No.1 retailer of high-quality pearls in China. There are mainly three grouping of pearls in the shop: fresh water pearls, sea water pearls, and South Sea pearls.
Ms. Carrie explained to me how to distinguish real pearls from fake ones. There’s a rule for judjing fine pearls: the rounder and shinier, the better.
I also noticed the photos on the wall showing foreign dignitaries who had visited the shop, including Putin’s wife, Margaret Thatcher, the Queen of Spain, and the Queen of Belgium. This is really an authentic pearl shop in Beijing!
Next shop: antiques, jade jewelry and works of art
The Henan Plaza Beijing Hotel is very close to Chengtian Antique City in southeastern Beijing. If you want to visit some interesting antique shops, go to a shop that carries antiques, jade jewelry, and other Chinese artwork.
The shop owner Mr. Tang collected many antique porcelain wares, including vases, bowls, and plates. Some of them were antiques made in the Qing dynasty.
Mr. Tang, the shop owner, greeted me. He showed me a porcelain statue of Empress Dowager Cixi, a female ruler of the Qing dynasty. She sat on a stone bench with a big spotted dog. She was wearing a big black hat and a colorful button-down robe. Embroidered peonies and butterflies decorated her robe. In China, a peony represents wealth and status.
He also showed me some jade jewelry items, including pendants and bracelets. They were white, and looked glossy. Jade symbolizes virtue and is thought to bring good health.
You can also find Chinese paintings, calligraphy, and wood carvings in this shop. They are all very good decorations for your room. So check it out on your way home to your Beijing hotel!
