Mandalay's Jade Market is one of the most absorbing bazaars in Myanmar — a warren of stalls and workshops where raw jade boulders from Kachin State are assessed, traded, carved, and sold. Dealers with loupes examine rough stones under bare light bulbs; craftsmen work at spinning wheels cutting jade into bangles and discs; merchants display finished pieces from jadeite pendants to carved figures.
The market operates mainly in the morning, with the most active trading between dawn and around 11am. Even if you have no intention of buying, the sheer energy of the place — and the scale of commerce conducted in what looks like a series of sheds — is fascinating. Bring scepticism about provenance and quality if you are considering a purchase.