Yangmei Jade City

Yangmei Jade City

Yangmei Jade City is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Yangmei Jade City was developed from Yangmei, a specialized jade village known as the “Hometown of Gold and Jade.” It has now become the birthplace of Jieyang’s jade industry and the core commercial hub of China’s “Jade Capital.” The market primarily focuses on the design, processing, and sale of mid- to high-end jadeite.

Over the past three years, with the strong support of local government and the enthusiasm of community leaders, Yangmei Jade City has carried out in-depth efforts in creating a civilized city. Through the comprehensive rectification of issues such as “dirtiness, disorder, and poor conditions,” as well as environmental beautification, greening, and lighting projects, the area’s commercial, transportation, and sanitation environments have seen significant upgrades. A completely transformed new Yangmei Jade City now stands before us.

As early as the late Qing Dynasty, the people of Yangmei began their century-long journey in jade craftsmanship, starting with the arduous task of selling small trinkets door-to-door (commonly known as “carrying eight cords”) and later recycling old jade items, processing them, and reselling them.

By the 1980s and 1990s, the jade industry in Yangmei had grown significantly, forming the Old Jade Street Market with its cluster of small shops and Yangmei Jade City. In the early 21st century, the jade industry experienced rapid development, and the people of Yangmei began building the bustling and towering Yangmei Jade City commercial district, where merchants gathered and skyscrapers rose.

The scale of Yangmei’s jade industry continued to expand, and the number of practitioners increased, driving the growth of the jade industry in surrounding areas. High-rise buildings such as Jade Garden, Yonghui Yangmei Jade City Plaza, and Honghe Yangmei Jade City Tourism and Cultural City sprang up one after another, and market infrastructure became increasingly complete.

After a century of inheritance and innovation, Yangmei jadeite carving has developed unique artistic characteristics described as “unique, ingenious, exquisite, and distinctive,” along with a style that blends ancient and modern elements, exuding nobility and elegance. It embodies deep Chaoshan folk values, cultural significance, and aesthetic appeal, earning reputations such as “Yangmei jade craftsmanship is truly unparalleled” and “the highest academy of jadeite art.”

In 2008, Yangmei jadeite carving was recognized by the State Council as part of the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yangmei jade products are beloved and highly sought after by jade merchants, consumers, and collectors.

With a century-long history of jade processing, an extremely large market share, exquisite jade carving craftsmanship, and a long-standing commitment to honest trade, mutual benefit, selling only A-grade jadeite, and unwavering integrity, Yangmei Jade City has established itself as the leading core of China’s jadeite industry. It has also become the world’s largest design, processing, and trading hub for mid- to high-end jadeite. Yangmei has gradually become the “Holy Land of Jadeite” in the hearts of many jade enthusiasts and collectors.

In 2011, Yangmei Jade City was designated as Guangdong Province’s only national AAAA-level tourist shopping destination. The thriving development of major jade markets led by Yangmei Jade City helped Jieyang City earn the honorary titles of “Asia’s Jade Capital” in 2005 and “China’s Jade Capital” in 2006.