Zhuji Pearl Market — Local services in Shaoxing

This place is a lot. It's huge -- like, convention center huge. And there are just So. Many. Pearls. Try this: think of a lot of pearls. Piles and piles of them. Picture them in your mind's eye. Got it? Okay, now multiply that by, say 350. Now maybe you're starting to grasp what this place is like. I mean, I did not know there were this many pearls in existence, and they're all here.

Naturally, I have questions. Like: what? how? why? and most importantly: huh? For instance, how is that these stalls are all selling the same thing at difference prices? And who is buying all these pearls? And how would I ever pick which store to buy from? It's all too much. So do your homework before coming here to buy. Also, a few long-distance hikes wouldn't go amiss.

Now, I should also probably mention that I know virtually nothing about pearls. I can identify them (they're the round pearlescent things, right?), but that's about it. So don't look to me for anything other than a couple pictures that don't even begin to capture the size of this place and vast amount of pearls they have here.

Hmm, I still sense you doubt my tale. Okay, if you think I'm exaggerating, digest this: almost all the locals in here bring an electric scooter to get around, or occasionally bikes. It's kind of crazy even by Chinese...

A lovely place to shop at bargainable fair prices. Visited by foreigners. I would...

The Pearls Capital...