kesler.go, a foreign tourist:

Shopping is actually pretty inaccurate...finally decided to go to Beijing in January. There is a building in Shanghai that I stumbled upon when I took my brother to Yu Yuan Gardens last September.

On the ground floor they had different stalls selling jades, ambers/beeswax, wooden beads and other jewelry related stuff like pouches and boxes. I was wondering if there is something like this in Beijing?

The last time in Beijing I went to the Hongqiao Pearl Market which appeared very "made up" and touristy unlike the one in Shanghai that was more like a wholesale market. I read about Da Jia Yong Li Jewelry Market (大佳永利珠宝商城)in Chaoyang. Do you think it’s a good place?

Jie Jie, the ambassador of China:

I haven't been in Dajiayongli but it's pretty conveniently located west of Dongsishitiao subway station (Line 2). It's not far from me, but I don't have time to go over there until after Christmas to take a look for you.

One place you might consider is Yangrou Hutong Jewelry Center, of which Jade is the feature product. This place is next to (west of) the Geological Museum on the near west side of town. Subway Line 4, station Xisi. This area of Beijing has been a center for Jade for a long time. There is at least one other Jade market center near there, as I recall either just south of the museum or east across the street.

Bonus: the Xisi area has a bunch of neat and inexpensive things to sightsee in the area, not just the jade or the Museum. Guangji Temple (head of the Chinese Buddhism assocation) is great, also one of Beijing's oldest still-existing pagodas: the leaning, 600-year old Wansong Pagoda (can't go inside, but can see it from main stree south of the Museum if they've got the emergency scaffolding off).

And the Xisi hutongs themselves. You won't see other foreigners around this area, which is a shame, it's one of Beijing's best-kept secrets for exploration. But because of this, you might find some decent pricing there.

There's also Beijing International Jewelry Exchange Center in Huixin Dongjie, north side of town near the University of Intl Business and Economics (UIBE). They have a website www.bje.com.cn but I think in Chinese language only. You may only be able to deal in quantities here...or maybe find a way to purchase a "sample." ;-)

I am out of my depth when it comes to jade, so cannot guarantee you if you will be getting fair value for your cash for any given piece. As always, it's up to you to know your product and be able to judge quality (and fakery!).

kesler.go :

Thanks jiejie for your suggestions. I might try to make it to Yangrou Hutong on my first night but I am not sure if I could make it there since my flight arrives at 3pm hopefully I could make it across town since I am staying in Sunlitun.