Rock and mineral shops in China?
 

This is a long shot, but I thought I'd ask. In the last few years I've become interested in mineralogy as hobby and have started collecting rocks (I know -- no jokes necessary :) ). I've got a trip coming up next month that will include, at least, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Does anyone know of any good rock shops in these two cities? Thanks!

There are trade shows for this business.
Maybe they have exhibitor lists with locations.

http://www.changsha-show.com/enindex.html
http://www.xpopress.com/internationa...asia-show.html

Possibly the Guangdong Geological Museum shop will have some good specimens--at a price. One place that I'm not sure has a retail shop, but is reputed to be really interesting if you're into the subject matter is the newish and architecturally avant-garde Dapeng Geology Museum in Shenzhen--it's on the Dapeng peninsula as part of the volcanic geopark. Haven't been there but it's on my to-do list when I next pass that way.

The center of the Chinese rock trade is Liuzhou. You can get there easily enough via Guilin using the new rail line from Guangzhou. Shops and shops galore, but yes, you do have to know where the markets are spotted throughout the city. You want the qishi shichang.