Joanna James
The markets of Hong Kong are an integral part of its society; locals visit them to buy just about everything from cooking oil to clothes, while tourists find them absolutely fascinating.
This is the perfect venue to spend an evening at; the Temple Street Night Market is where you can pick up a range of small electronic items and interesting gadgets. Included is a large collection of second hand mobiles and accessories. The place is lovely to explore, especially the lively ambience created by food stalls taking over the precinct, making this one of the largest open air restaurants in Hong Kong. In addition to the foodie atmosphere, shoppers and diners are treated to Cantonese karaoke under a blanket of stars, roaming fortune tellers and a general carnival-like atmosphere. Get there after 8 pm for the best experience; the Temple Street Night Market is located on Temple Street in Mongkok and is easy to reach if you are based at Tsim Sha Tsui hotels.
If you want to savour the atmosphere of a real Chinese market, then do head over to the ever popular ladies market. Don't be fooled by the name folks, the place sells a variety of women's and men's clothes as well as, cheap knock-offs of branded goods and lots of local curios. The Ladies Market is a tourist's boon, and will definitely help you pick up a few gift and souvenir items. Located on Tung Choi Street in Mongkok, the market is just 15 minutes from Park Hotel Hong Kong.
Cat Street can be viewed as a fascinating flea market or a treasure trove of antiques; either way, you will be quite fascinated by the goods on offer. Explore the collection of stalls selling coins, posters, jade artefacts and lots of Chinese knick-knacks, which to be honest although looking like antiques were probably made a week ago. Nevertheless Cat Street is the perfect venue to pick up a gift, and if you really want to dig for antiques head over to Hollywood Road, located close by. There you are treated to what many claim to be the largest collection of antiques in China. A sharp eye and good knowledge of what you are looking at will yield many a hidden treasure, which you can proudly take back to your Kowloon hotel. Cat Street is located at Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan.
A less hard-core shopping bazaar, Stanley Market will ease first time shoppers into the intricacies of a Hong Kong market. There is no hardcore bargaining involved here, nor does it exude the rough and tumbled ambience of the seasoned street markets; instead, Stanley Market is where you can pick up lots of touristy type souvenirs, 'I Love Hong Kong' keepsakes and lots of Chinese style mementoes.
Quite the experience, the Goldfish Market is a good place to visit even if you are not in the market for a goldfish. This is Hong Kong's street side pet store, where a variety of fish in all colours and hues are up for sale, together with snakes, lizards and a variety of some very exotic creatures.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
