Hongqiao Market (also known as the Pearl Market) is located at No. 9 Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, directly opposite the famous Temple of Heaven Park. It is a multi-story commercial building that was first established in the late 1970s. The market is internationally known as a leading destination for buying Chinese pearls, particularly freshwater pearls, in various shapes and sizes — as loose beads or as ready-made necklaces and bracelets — alongside precious and semi-precious stones and silver jewelry. The market also has floors selling clothes, bags, electronics, and souvenirs, and one of its lower floors houses a market for fresh and dried seafood. As in most of Beijing's popular markets, bargaining is an essential part of shopping here, and the gap between the asking price and the final price can be substantial. It is advisable to examine pearls carefully (luster, weight, and texture) and verify their authenticity before buying, especially since the market has experienced vendors who can help assess quality for those who ask.