Jade trading in Mandalay

After breakfast, we start our tour with the short walking tour surrounding streets. If there is a word which can describe the feeling of this short tour, it is only "credible". From the Hotel, we transfer to 86th street and start the tour at there. Mandalay is the former capital of Myanmar and the second largest city after Yangon, is the economic and religious hub of upper Myanmar and is center of the area around the Royal Palace. Today, Mandalay is known as not only the main destination in the tour exploring Myanmar due to a lot of ancient architectures, but also the important business center which contributes significantly to Burmese economy. Thanks to the location nearby ruby, gold, and jade mines, it has allowed jade industry to be developed with the merchant from China, Thailand and India. After walking surrounding streets, we come to the market and discovering white, yellow, and green jade. The gems are very beautiful and can be found in all forms, from raw to delicate ones. You are easy to take an experience of dressing stone process (when watch skilled craftsman cut and polish the jewelry on the wet saws) and hearing the sellers and the buyers haggle over price. As in the schedule, we come to jade market during the busiest time of the day in here, and if you wish to have some gems, we are always willing to help you negotiate to have value of money ones.

At the late morning, we come and have a local lunch in one of the tea shops nearly. It is a rare chance to chat with some merchants who are also come there for break. While tasting some sweet tea, green tea, and many kinds of local dish, you maybe have some great teachings of business.