Hong Kong is well known for its street markets that run till the early hours of the morning. Filled with cheap fashionable clothing, antiques, accessories and electronics, it forms the essence of local life on the island and is definitely worth the visit. Be prepared for bustling crowds, inflated prices and of course many almost-authentic goods so be sure to muster up your bargaining skills beforehand. Here is a list of Hong Kong’s top markets.
Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street Night Market forms a 600 m long street market that comes to life at night. Filled with ‘I heart HK’ T-shirts, watches and infamous palm reading fortune-tellers you’ll also find tons of snack stalls and a nearby Cantonese opera house located near the Tin Hau Temple.
Buy here: Colorful T-shirts, traditional Chinese dresses, shirts and jackets, tea sets, jade pieces, antiques, and electronics.
Operating hours: 4 – 12 pm
Best time to visit: 8 – 9 pm
How to get there: Take Exit A at Jordan Subway Station, turn right and Temple Street is at the third junction. Or take Exit C at Yau Ma Tei Subway Station, and walk along Man Ming Lane to Temple Street.
Ladies Market
This is probably of one Hong Kong’s most well-known markets which got its name for initially selling female goods in the past but now they sell both female and male products. Running for about a km in length along Tung Choi Street be sure to wander down many of the side streets which are often filled with shops and stalls selling goods too. As with all markets, be wary of fake good and extremely high prices here. Bargain!
Buy here: Clothes for women and men, cheap souvenirs, household goods and Chinese accessories.
Operating hours: noon – midnight
Best time to visit: from 7pm onwards
How to get there: Take Exit E2 at Mong Kok Subway Station, and walk across two crossings
Ap Liu Electronics Market
This electronics and second-hand market sells mainly audio-visual equipment, computer gadgets, a range of electronic devices and mobile accessories. One of the best things about this market is the cheap prices as when compared to other markets because of its location as when compared to the Ladies Market. That being said, you’ll also see big variations in price from stall to stall so be sure to scout for the best prices and as always, bargain.
Buy here: Any kind of electronic equipment, audio equipment, computer gadgets and mobile goods.
Operating hours: noon to midnight
How to get there: Take the MTR to Sham Shui Po Station. It is about 3 kilometers north of Temple Street.
Lascar Row Market (Also known as Cat Street Antique Market)
Spanning 200 meters and separated by the Lok Ku Road intersection, you will find many antique shops selling old products and collector’s items. Also known as the Cat Street Antique Market, this market got its name during the colonial periods when it was famous for housing many stolen goods more commonly referred to as ‘rat goods’ in Cantonese. Customers that visit Cat Street market searching for hidden goods were given the name Cats and this has stuck ever since.
Buy here: Antiques such as porcelain, jewelry, silk, fabrics, coins, jade articles, copper ware, embroidery, paintings, old telephones and art. You’ll also find Chairman Mao figurines, brass Buddha statues, old coins and ceramic vases.
How to get there: At Sheung Wan Station, take Exit A2, walk along Hillier Street to Queen’s Road Central, and step up the stairway on your right to Lascar Row.
Hollywood Road Market
Located in the Soho area of Hong Kong, here you will find a mix of eastern and western cultures along with a range of foreign-style restaurants and bars. There are many antique shops filled with various antiques so be sure to look carefully because you may find something precious hidden.
Buy here: Chinese-style furniture, scroll paintings, porcelain, watches, pens and jewelry.
Location: Hollywood Road is in Shuang Wan, just east of Lascar Road
Seafood Street Market
Filled with old shops and stalls selling dried seafood and salty fish, the seafood street market is a must see for tourists. You’ll find the basic staples of fish, scallops and squid of course but if you look closely, you’ll also see many strange and wondrous things packed away in jars. Many locals also shop here for goods that are put in traditional medicines.
Buy here: Dried seafood from around the world such as abalone, scallops, shrimp and fins. You’ll also see a lot of medicinal materials, cured meats and edible bird’s nests.
Open: 9:00am – 5:30pm, most stores close on Sundays
How to get there: Take Exit B at Shuang Wan Subway Station, and walk left to Morrison Street and Wing Lok Street, and then turn right onto Seafood Street.
Stanley Market
Another must see when visiting Hong Kong, Stanley Market is located quite close to Repulse Bay. Filled with little shops and stalls selling silk, local art, Chinese jewelry and a variety of souvenirs like cards, chopsticks and traditional fans, a visit here can easily turn into an entire day out of exploring. Once a fishing village, the beach is pretty close and lined with many bars and restaurants.
Buy here: You’ll find a range of goods such as traditional Chinese art works, silk fabrics, antiques and eastern and western clothing.
Operating hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm everyday
How to get there: Take MTR to central station and change to one of the following buses at the Exchange Square Bus Terminal: Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260.
OR
Take the MTR to causeway Bay Station and take exit F1. Walk to Jardines Bazaar and then take minibus 40 to Stanley Market.
The Flower Market
Located in Mong Kok, Kowloon, the flower market is filled with an array of different kinds of flowers in different forms – from seeds, to bulbs, to pots to freshly cut blooms or all colors! Walking through here will make you feel as though you are wandering through one of nature’s lush gardens.
Buy here: you will find flowers from all over the world here – from traditional Chinese flowers like chrysanthemums and poinsettia to exotic Birds of Paradise, orchids and roses in almost every color.
Operating hours: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm daily
How to get here: take the MTR to Prince Edward station and take Exit B1.