Pingzhou Jade Article Street Scenic Area in Foshan

Pingzhou Jade Article Street (平洲玉器街) is located in Yong’an Road, Guicheng Subdistrict, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province. It is renowned in the industry, with the largest production and sales volume in the country. It ranks as one of the top four jade markets in China, famous for processing high-quality jadeite (A-grade jade) products. The main products of Pingzhou Jade include jade bangles, jade buttons, chicken heart-shaped pieces, and pendants, with jade buttons being the most prominent. These products have earned Pingzhou the reputation of “Pingzhou Button” (平洲扣), attracting numerous visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan each year.

Basic Information 

• Name (名称): Pingzhou Jadeite Street (平洲玉器街)
• Location (地点): Guicheng Subdistrict, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province (广东省佛山市南海区桂城街道)
• Industry Workforce (从业人员): Over 8,000 people
• Founded (创始时间): Mid-1970s (上世纪70年代中期)

Pingzhou Jadeite Street has over 1,000 jade factories, employing more than 8,000 people. Every year, approximately 5,000 tons of jadeite from Myanmar are processed, with a market sales value exceeding 2 billion RMB. The street also offers testing services to ensure the authenticity of the products. The street has formed a retail and wholesale market for jadeite products. The Pingzhou Jadeite Market is currently under construction, and efforts are being made to develop Pingzhou Jadeite Street into a national 4A scenic area, with plans to expand and improve surrounding facilities as part of urban renewal projects.

4A Scenic Area 

On the 19th, Pingzhou Jadeite Street was officially recognized as a national 4A-level tourist attraction (AAAA旅游景区). Additionally, the He Shi Bi (和氏璧) Tourism Cultural Complex project broke ground. Tang Saiguang (唐赛光), the director of the Guicheng Subdistrict Office, stated that Pingzhou’s jade culture, history, and art would attract tourists from all directions. The aim is to promote the jade industry’s fame through tourism, thereby promoting the upgrade and development of the jade cultural industry.

History and Development 

In the mid-1970s, the Pingzhou Pingdong Duntou Jade Processing Factory (平洲平东墩头玉器加工厂), founded by three brothers, Chen Guang (陈广), Chen Zuorong (陈作荣), and Chen Ruinan (陈锐南), started processing jadeite for the provincial arts and crafts export company, primarily focusing on polished jade items. Under the skilled management of Mr. Chen Ruinan, the factory became the best in processing quality and technical skills among the several outsourcing points of the provincial company, training many technical talents in jade design, processing, and manufacturing.

After the reform and opening-up, individual entrepreneurs in Pingzhou emerged rapidly. Workers from the Duntou Jade Factory and other skilled artisans in Pingzhou began to procure Myanmar jadeite from regions like Tengchong (腾冲), Yingjiang (盈江), Zhuangfeng (章风), Ruili (瑞丽), and Wanting (宛町) to process jade products in a workshop style. Due to the high quality, craftsmanship, and competitive prices of Pingzhou jade, it soon gained fame both domestically and internationally, particularly in Southeast Asia. The Pingzhou jade market was formed, with merchants from all over the country directly coming to purchase jade products from Pingzhou. By the mid-1990s, the sales value of the market had exceeded 100 million RMB.

Current Situation 

Pingzhou Jade’s development has several advantages, including location, industrial foundation, and operating costs. Zhang Houxiang (张厚祥), the deputy director of Guicheng Subdistrict, said that the district views jade as a potential pillar industry and plans to make “Jadeite Guicheng” (玉器桂城) the seventh iconic feature after shopping, residential areas, and other attributes. The district office has invested over 20 million RMB to improve transportation around the jade market. A new jadeite city is under construction, with Pingzhou Jadeite Square already completed. The exhibition hall for Pingzhou Jadeite Street is also being planned, with 400 acres of land reserved for future development.

Pingzhou Jade Article Street (平洲玉器街) is located in the Gui Cheng Street, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. It is widely known in the industry and holds the largest production and sales volume of jade articles in China, ranking as one of the four largest jade markets in the country. Pingzhou is famous for the processing of high-quality jade products, especially jade bracelets, buckles, chicken heart-shaped items, and pendants, with jade buckles being the most abundant product. The street attracts many visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan every year.

Basic Information

History and Development

Pingzhou Jade Article Street started around the mid-1970s, when the Pingdong Duntou Jade Processing Factory (平东墩头玉器加工厂), established by the Chen brothers, began processing jade products for export. Under the leadership of Mr. Chen Ruinan (陈锐南), the factory became known for its high-quality processing techniques and attracted a large workforce dedicated to jade production. In the 1980s, as individual entrepreneurs began to flourish in Pingzhou, the jade industry expanded rapidly. Today, over 1,000 jade factories operate in Pingzhou, and the street processes around 5,000 tons of Burmese jade annually, generating a market sales value of over 2 billion yuan.

In 2001, the Pingzhou Jewelry and Jade Association (平洲珠宝玉器协会) was established to regulate market transactions and protect consumers’ rights. The association introduced the “Pingzhou Jewelry and Jade Market Transaction Rules” (平洲珠宝玉器市场交易规则) in 2003, which significantly reduced fraudulent activities in the market.

In 2009, Pingzhou Jade Article Street officially launched its website, providing an online platform for jade merchants and helping spread knowledge about the area’s jade culture.

Transportation

Pingzhou Jade Article Street is easily accessible by various public transportation routes from different parts of Foshan and Guangzhou:

1. Main Public Bus Routes:

   • Guangzhou-Foshan Bus 275 (广州火车站总站 – 南海平洲总站)
     • Operating Hours: 05:30-22:00 (Guangzhou), 06:00-22:00 (Pingzhou)
     • Major Stops: Guangzhou Railway Station (广州火车站) – Liwan Road (荔湾路) – Fangcun (芳村) – Pingzhou Hospital (平洲医院)

2. Business Shuttle Line 4:

   • Operating Hours: 07:00-20:00
   • Route: Zhongshan Ba Road Station (中山八路) – Pingzhou Jade Street (平洲玉器街)

3. From Guangzhou Huazhu Jade Street (华林玉器街) to Pingzhou Jade Street:

   • Several bus routes connect these locations, providing easy access for visitors traveling from central Guangzhou.

4. Additional Local Bus Options:

   • Local buses such as the Nanhai Bus 201 (南海公交201) and various routes from Chancheng District (禅城区) also connect to Pingzhou Jade Article Street, with stops at key areas including the Foshan Railway Station and local markets.

Integrity and Consumer Protection

Due to past issues with dishonest sellers, Pingzhou Jade Article Street faced challenges regarding product authenticity. In 2001, the Pingzhou Jewelry and Jade Association (平洲珠宝玉器协会) took action to establish a transparent market environment. The “Pingzhou Jade Market Transaction Rules” (平洲玉器市场交易规则) were introduced, reducing fraud and establishing fair trading practices. If a vendor is caught selling counterfeit jade (e.g., B-grade jade sold as A-grade), they must apologize and refund customers, with penalties for repeat offenders.

Future Development

Pingzhou Jade Article Street is currently undergoing expansion and infrastructure improvement projects, aiming to become a national 4A-level scenic area (国家4A级景区). The surrounding area is undergoing renovation to improve accessibility, and new shopping facilities and an exhibition hall are in development. With more support from the Pingdong Village (平东村) community, Pingzhou Jade Street is positioning itself as a leading destination for jade shopping in southern China.

Key Attractions

Pingzhou Jade Article Street is a major tourist attraction, with a rich history of jade craftsmanship. Visitors can enjoy shopping for jade jewelry and artifacts, while also learning about the traditional techniques involved in jade processing. The market serves as both a shopping destination and a cultural experience, with a focus on the art of jade crafting and its significance in Chinese culture.