I heard that HONG KONG IS ALL ABOUT FOOD & MARKETS. After we visited, I can only agree with that. Okay, there are also other things, but you simply cannot ignore all these yummy snacks and markets. Remember to BRING CASH & BARGAINING SKILLS, dont´t forget to check the OPENING HOURS of the markets and bring a printed MAP (or install an APP on your phone). Sometimes it´s easy to get lost at those small streets. Oh yes, and put on some COMFORTABLE SHOES! Here´s a list of some of the markets we found the most interesting 😉
LADIES MARKET | great market for everybody, not only the ladies
MTR station: MONG KOK | Address: Thung Choi Street
This might be THE MOST KNOWN MARKET IN THE CITY and even though its name claims it´s for the ladies – it´s NOT ONLY FOR THE LADIES. There are lots of toys for the children, electronic appliances and decoration of all kinds. It´s interesting to take a stroll all the way down, but we did not buy anything. I think if you´ve been to Asia before, this will be nothing really new :). There are quite a lot of RESTAURANTS around the market for a quick & inexpensive dinner. The market doesn´t have set OPENING HOURS, but you can expect the stalls to be opened every day from noon and until late in the evening.
(GOLD)FISH MARKET | all kinds of fish in plastic bags and freshwater aquariums
MTR station: MONG KOK East Station Exit C or PRINCE EDWARD Exit B2 | Address: Thung Choi Street
GOLDFISH are probably the most common PETS in a Hong Kong home. According to FENG SHUI tradition it IS BELIEVED THEY BRING GOOD LUCK. This market is full with little WATER BAGS CONTAINING FISH – all kinds of tropical species as well. Even though you probably will not be buying a live fish during your travels, this might be an interesting place to visit. We skipped it though. Seeing hundreds of fish in the waters of the Philippines just days later was anyway more interesting for the kids ;).
FLOWER MARKET | beautiful fresh flowers
MTR station: PRINCE EDWARD Exit B1 or MONG KOK Exit A) | Address: Prince Edward Rd & Flower Market Rd
Even though we had no intension of buying flowers, this was a great visit! So many WONDERFUL FLOWER SHOPS and EXOTIC PLANTS & FLOWERS, beautiful orchids and bouquets. This place totally surprised us – for a moment it felt a bit like we would have been somewhere in Paris, minus the chocolate croissants ;). The SHOPS OPEN late in the morning (around 9:30) and stay open until the evening, every day of the week.
BIRD MARKET | singing birds in vintage cages
MTR station: PRINCE EDWARD Exit B1 (or Mong Kok Exit A) | Address: Yeun Po Street
From the Flower market this one is just a short walk away. The YUEN PO BIRD GARDEN, which is actually a narrow lane set in a nice lush garden, entered through the traditional MOON GATE, shows a glimps of the TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF SONGBIRD KEEPING in a Chinese garden – older men bring their birds in beautiful BAMBOO CAGES, hang the cages to a tree and let the birds sing while they play a game of cards or socialize with others. Sounds like great fun, but personally I found more birds for sale than those just being brought out for a “walk”. And some of those for sale were really cramped in cages. That´s probably the reason why I actually did not enjoy the visit that much.
TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET | good choice for an evening stroll
MTR station: AUSTIN or JORDAN | Address: Temple Street
THIS IS THE LAST REMAINING REAL NIGHT MARKET IN HK! You name it, they have it! When the sun sets down, this market comes alive – the fortune tellers set their tables, food is being prepared, the usual market goodies (clothes, bags, electronics, jewellery, antiques, toys and more) are being hung up or laid down for display. It´s a great place to TAKE IT ALL IN, especially if you don´t have the time to visit more markets – I might just pick this one.
YAU MA TAI JADE HAWKER BAZAAR | jade jewelery and other products
MTR station: MONG KOK | Address: Thung Choi Street
Jade seems to play a very important part in CHINESE CULTURE – it is supposed to bring GOOD LUCK, LONG LIFE & GOOD HEALTH. It also symbolises BEAUTY AND PURITY. There are several jade markets across town, we visited this one because it was simply on our way ;). The most common items bought are bracelets, earrings and good-luck charms – every new born child receives them and they are the best gift to get at special anniversaries. Of course, there seems to be a difference in the QUALITY – Lu and me got our bracelet for good luck ;). We heard if they shall break at one point, we should smile because this means something bad was about to happen to us, but the bad luck hit the bracelet instead!
DRIED SEAFOOD STREET | market for seafood specialities lovers
MTR station: SHEUNG WAN | Address: Des Voeux Road West & Wing Lok Street
This area used to be full of SALTED FISH STORES, when fish was dried on roofs of the fisherman´s houses. Today, you will not see fish being dried on the roofs, but still, the area offers a unique insight into local traditional cuisine. DRIED SCALLOPS, SNAKESKIN, MOSS AND OF COURSE, FISH – dried seafood is common in a Chinese kitchen, so is the preparation of TRADITIONAL TONICS (ginseng and bird nest included).
FABRIC MARKET | paradise for crafty people
MTR station: SHAM SHUI PO | Address: Ki Lung Street
Hidden in a LABYRINTH OF LITTLE STREETS which swallow you once you step out of the MTR station, you can find these super nice little SHOPS SELLING FABRICS & SEWING SUPPLIES. Don´t expect to see many tourists here, this is more of an OLD STYLE WORKING CLASS KIND OF NEIGHBOURHOOD where on one corner a butcher is cutting of pigs ears in the middle of the street, on the other one you can buy fresh vegetables and across the street a new TV. Kind of real Asia. Me like ;). And in between all of this many shops await all of us, CRAFTY PEOPLE who can shop for fabrics, buttons, zippers, beads, stones, bands and more. Worth a visit if you want to wonder around traditional streets and avoid the tourist masses and/or shop for things mentioned above.
STANLEY MARKET | clothes, jewelery, souvenirs and unique pieces
MTR station: MTR + bus combination | Address: Stanley Market Road, HK Island
So, this one is a bit outside the city so you will have to catch a bus, minibus or a taxi to reach it. It´s famous for offering a great selection of BRAND-NAME CLOTHES, ACCESSORIES, JEWELERY, SUVENIERS & DECORATION. We did not visit it, because it is a little bit remote – surely it makes a nice trip outside the city in the summer, because you can also enjoy the countryside and the beach nearby.
There are many more markets in Hong Kong, but it´s impossible to visit them all. This time we missed out on some (potentially really good ones) ANTIQUE, ELECTRONICAL & OTHER MARKETS. The choise is really endless. Well, we had to leave something for the next time ;). I have to say our kids were super nice to us ha ha and did the whole “market day tour” with no nagging ;). In any case, you must not leave Hong Kong without visiting at least a couple of the markets! Maybe this list helps you pick some ;).
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Comments 25
These street markets all look amazing. I would really like to see the night market, the flower market, and the goldfish market. Goldfish is my nickname, so they are special to me. I hope to visit Hong Kong some day soon!
Author
oh wow, in this case the Goldfish one should be on the top of your list! 😉
Street markets are my absolute favorite! Hong Kong is on my list, so I am absolutely bookmarking this for the future!
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Author
Yeah, they are hard to miss anyway, if you wander around and not always taking the MTR you come across one sooner or later!
I love markets like this, always so much to see and potentially buy! The fabric market looks quite cool… could imagine to buy fabric and bring it home to make something new for the house!
Author
Yes! The last years this is also what i do – rather than buying clothes, i buy fabrics and sew at home ;). It´s a great “suvenier”.
I SO needed this the 2 times I went to HK for work! I just ended up constantly lost in the shopping centers (so not on purpose!) Definitely saving this for next time!
Author
Hey Candiss that´s great that you found the time between the work obligations ;). Some amazing shopping opportunities in HK!
Oh, never knew about them when I was in Hong Kong… Well, I must be fair, I couldn’t visit everything in the 48 hours I had.
Author
Oh well – maybe next time then ;). And yes, like you said, it´s impossible to visit everything!
Temple Street looks like it may be my favourite – those bowls look delicious! I pinned this so I have it handy when I plan my next trip to Asia!
Author
Great! Definitely try and walk around some markets yes – it´s usually the best & the easiest way to get a glimpse of a local culture, even though you´re visiting just shortly 😉
Would really like to go to the Temple Street Night Market, it sounds very interesting. Plus, there were some really cute sweater on the Ladies Market picture.
Author
Yup, lots of things to buy, if you have enough space in your luggage ;). Don´t forget to bargain!
Wow… so many markets! My mom bought me a jade bracelet once. I don’t know what she was thinking since I’m a klutz. Predictably I hit it against a bannister and it broke. ? Now I can tell myself it was just diverting my bad luck…
Author
Yes!! I´m sure you avoided something bad in that moment ;).
I love Hong Kong so much! I got to study there for a semester back in 2013 and visited most of the markets, except for Stanley though. Great post, it made me so nostalgic!
Author
Great! Too bad Stanley is a bit far away, we had to skip it too, despit the initial intention of going. Well, we had to elave a couple of them for the next time 😉
Street markets are my life-blood! These all look amazing, I don’t think I could pick a favorite. I guess I will just have to go to all of them!
Author
If you´re into street markets, then HK is the place to go 😉 You could spend 2 – 3 days just on the markets 😉
I’d love to go to a night market! I haven’t been anywhere in Asia yet, but I’d like to check out some of these. The fabric market sounds cool, too. I can be crafty 🙂 I’ve heard about the bird one though and it makes me a bit sad as well, so I likely wouldn’t go to that one.
Author
I think Hong Kong is great for those who have never been in Asia, because it has a little bit of everything – some authentic traditional Asian parts and also totally modern neighbourhoods where you feel like you´re in London or something ;). And the markets are a great way to catch a glimpse of how the city used to be in the old times 😉
Thanks for posting! I love Markets!!!! The best I visited so far are in France and Thailand. 🙂
Moreover i am obsessed with antique markets, France is a paradise of those!! 🙂
Great collection of markets! I’ve lived in Hong Kong almost all my life and haven’t been to every single one 🙂 Will have to check out the jade market one day!
Wow, the markets in Hong Kong look so cool! I’d love to visit the goldfish market as well as the bird markets! I definitely want to see them for myself.