11 Unique Markets You Need To Visit While In Hong Kong

10 best markets for pleasure and leisure in hong kong
Adrian Chew
Adrian Chew 
Published
| 6 min read

To experience local life in Hong Kong, the street markets are worth a visit. Strolling around these street markets, you can find happiness brought by various local products including clothes, unique souvenirs, electronic products, seafood and the joys of grabbing a bargain. As a visitor or tourist, one would not want to spend too much time rummaging around, getting souvenirs.

For a non-stop experience of local or urban Chinese lifestyles, you do not need to go further than Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei. The side streets and alleys are home to some of Hong Kong’s liveliest spectacles. Walking through the streets is an exciting and memorable experience any time of the day or night. You will love the ambience and the great deals you can get on souvenirs, clothing, electronic goods and much more.

1. Yuen Po Street Bird Market

Posted by Mark Nutland on Tuesday, 30 May 2017

You must bring your kids to this market, as they will love to see the different types of bird here. The bird garden is a market that caters to bird lovers that is set within an attractive Chinese design courtyard. You will see elderly men coming to the market daily, who let their birds get some fresh air. While the birds are singing, they will just sit down and relax while listening to the birdsong. Apart from that, people come here to buy food and accessories. It is just like old times, where you see people coming to the market with a cage in their hand. The market, with its traditionally designed Chinese-style stalls, offers a novel experience. It is open daily from 7am to 8pm.

Yuen Po Street Bird Market

Address: 222-224 Prince Edward Rd W, Prince Edward, Hong Kong

Website: Yuen Po Street Bird Market

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2. Flower Market

ดอกไฮยาซินธ์ (Hyacinth) ขายเป็นหัวที่ดอกยังไม่บาน เยอะเลย ไม่กล้าซื้อกลัวเอาเข้าประเทศไม่ได้

Posted by Sutthiwatt Russameekachorn on Thursday, 22 January 2015

This market has an abundance of foliage and color that is truly a treat to the senses. It is a little oasis with rows of stalls, shops and stands brimming with fragrant blooms, bonsai trees, fresh cut flowers and exotic plants. Head over to the market and get yourself some garden and houseplants such as orchids, bougainvilleas and sunflowers. The market is the hub of the wholesale and retail flower business in Hong Kong. Hong Kong people love to decorate their homes with flowers, especially during festive seasons, so the market is always a great place to visit. The Flower Market is open every day from 7am to 7pm.

Flower Market

Address: Prince Edward, Hong Kong

Website: Flower Market

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3. Goldfish Market

Posted by Joe Chow on Thursday, 11 May 2017

Fish play an important part in Chinese culture and many people keep fish as pets. The Goldfish Market on Tung Choi Street is the place to go if you want to stock up your aquariums. Although it is called Goldfish Market, it also sells other types of fish. Upon entering the market you will see various decorations and furnishing, which you can purchase for your aquarium. Besides, it is filled with all manner of goldfish and just about any other type of exotic fish you can think of. It is open daily from 10.30am through 10pm.

Goldfish Market

Address: Tung Choi Street North, Mong Kok, Kowloon

Website: Goldfish Market

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4. Fa Yuen Street Market & Sneakers Street

HK Mong Kok Fa Yuen Street evening cartoon children clothing stall Sept-2012
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Popesalamiad used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Are you looking for a bargain? If your answer is yes, this is the place for you. Fa Yuen Street is the place to go if you want get casual wear for men, children and women. The clothing here is not outdated and you will be surprised to see the different kinds of trendy fashion here. There are more than one hundred stalls selling a great variety of reasonably priced clothing, accessories, toys and small electronics. It is also the perfect place to buy branded goods. This street runs parallel to the Ladies Market, so it is very easy to find it. Fa Yuen Street Market is open every day from 11am until 9.30pm.

Fa Yuen Street Market

Address: 156 Fa Yuen St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Website: Fa Yuen Street Market

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5. Ladies Market

Posted by Meller Meorom Acompanado on Saturday, 13 May 2017

Upon hearing the name you might think this market is meant for ladies, but it is open to everybody. Ladies Market has something for everyone, with bargain-priced items, including men’s and women’s clothing, knick-knacks, watches and beauty products. This is one of the top Hong Kong markets for bargains. Apart from that, there are various Hong Kong style cafes here that offer local specialties and are worth trying. If you walk around this market, you are sure to take home something. Ladies Market is open daily from 12 noon to 11.30pm.

Ladies Market

Address: Tung Choi St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Website: Ladies Market

Traveler's tips

During my first-ever international trip to Hong Kong with my relatives, we got a hold of a budget-friendly accommodation located deep within Mong Kok's densely populated buildings. Although the place was quite small in size, one suite was enough to accommodate about 10 of us. Its beds were surprisingly comfortable, and it offered plenty of essentials to make us feel as comfortable as possible.

Our accommodation was conveniently a few blocks away from the Ladies' Market, which we got to enter a few times throughout our whole trip. Not only that but we were surrounded by a wide range of establishments, some of which we're already familiar with! These include 7-Eleven, Watsons, and - surprisingly enough - Jollibee, the Philippines' most celebrated food chain.

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6. Temple Street Night Market

Posted by Nissim Shaltiel on Sunday, 3 January 2016

At night, Temple Street is home to Hong Kong’s biggest night market. Here you can find clothes, luggage, cheap watches, posters and various gadgets for sale. There are also street food stalls if you feel hungry or thirsty. It is also called the “Poor Man’s Night Club Head”. Here, you can eat almost anything. Whether it is a full meal or a simple bowl of noodles, you will be surprised with this lively street and the people surrounding it. Apart from that, try the food at the hot pot and seafood restaurants nearby.

It is indeed a hive of activity. The market will be packed with people after 7pm and it gets even more exciting; it is more like a parade. Here you can see professional Chinese chess players, get your palm read by fortune tellers and enjoy Cantonese opera performances. If you venture further, you will see the colorful wholesale fruit market. It is open daily from 4pm to 12am.

Temple Street Night Market

Address: Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

Website: Temple Street Night Market

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7. Stanley Market

Stanley Market 3
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Enochlau used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Do you know that Stanley Market is very popular among the locals, expatriates and tourists? This is because of its wide array of Oriental knick-knacks, branded clothing, ornaments, accessories, home furnishing and jewelry, sold at reasonable prices in a picturesque warren of lanes. The market has remained one of the favorites for tourists for many years and if you are here or somewhere in Hong Kong, you must visit this place.

Many visitors regard Stanley Market as a great place to purchase typical souvenirs like seals, paintings, cards and chopsticks as well as both Chinese and Western clothing. Even travel agencies will bring their customers to this market to have a closer look and immerse themselves with the sights around the street. If this is not enough to captivate you, head over to the nearby eateries along the breezy seaside strip.

Stanley Market

Address: Stanley Municipal Services Building, 6 Stanley Market Rd, Stanley, Hong Kong

Website: Stanley Market

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8. Jade Street & Jade Market

HK 油麻地Yaumatei 甘肅街玉器小販市場 Kan Su Street Jade Hawker Bazaar 08
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Huoimeuwaio used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Jade Market is another interesting point of interest. It is located at the junction of Battery and Kansu Street. There is plenty to choose from, ranging from trinkets and necklaces made from revered green stone, to amulets and ornaments. You can spend your whole day here as there are about 450 stalls for you to compare prices and goods. The jade comes in various prices, types, sizes and shapes. If you are not an expert, you need to be careful when buying something that is very expensive. Jade Market is open every day from 10am to 5pm.

Still looking for that special gift or souvenir for someone? Before you head back to your hotel, visit Jade Street. Here you can find various gemstones and jades on display in Jade Plaza. It opens daily from 10.30am until 2.30pm.

Jade Street & Jade Market

Address: Junction of Kansu Street and Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

Website: Jade Street & Jade Market

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9. Shanghai Street Market

HK Yau Ma Tei night Shanghai Street 眾坊街夜市場 Public Square Street market stall Sex toys Apr-2013
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wahamowea used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Get a taste of the bygone days of Hong Kong and visit one of the city’s oldest streets. Many of the buildings are super-old and some of the shops have existed for decades. Strolling down Shanghai Street will take you back to a time long past. Look for shops selling Chinese-style wedding clothes, which feature stunning embroidery. Take your time to explore the street and you will see old pawnshops, stores selling sandalwood, mahjong parlors as well as incense and Buddha statues. Besides, you can also buy kitchenware at bargain prices. Among the fun picks are lovely ceramic bowls, wooden mooncake moulds stamped with lucky sayings or images of pigs and fish, long chopsticks for stirring pots, and bamboo steamer baskets.

Shanghai Street Market

Address: Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

Website: Shanghai Street Market

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10. Apliu Street Flea Market

Market of Apliu Street
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 2.5

This flea market is another unique attraction. It is an ideal place to hunt for new and second hand electronic items. This street is home to a vibrant community and has a long interesting history. Apart from that, shoppers can also find relics, antique watches and coins at this market. You just need to be alert and on the lookout for those items. In such a small area, there is an outstanding collection of different types of merchandise on offer. If you are an electronics or gadgets geek, head over now and shop till you drop!

Apliu Street Flea Market

Address: Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Website: Apliu Street Flea Market

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11. Cat Street Market

HK Sheung Wan 上環 摩羅上街 Lower Lascar Row 2nd market Chairman Mao badges June-2012
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tungpengmaliu used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Cat Street, also known as Upper Lascar Row, is a place for tourists to buy rare antiques. Get yourself a Cultural Revolution propaganda poster, a piece of rare Ming Dynasty furniture or an ancient snuff bottle. You will not find such items in other places. Be prepared to spend more time if you want something very rare and unique. You need to walk from shop to shop, including those that are hidden.

From woodcraft items and jades, to embroideries and silk products, there is something for everyone. You will be excited to see handcrafted modern replicas for interior décor as well as authentic historical pieces while walking around the market. It is very lively and you will see the different personalities of art collectors, antique dealers and curious merchants.

Cat Street Market

Address: Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Website: Cat Street Market

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More than just markets

Hong Kong is famous for its malls and shopping, where you can get a good bargain at its various unique market stalls. Hong Kong street markets are a melting pot of cultures. In Temple Street you can still watch Chinese opera performances, whereas in Shanghai Street you can still see age-old historical buildings. If you want to see a cross section of the Hong Kong society, then visit the different types of markets in Hong Kong.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Adrian, originally hailing from the small town of Muar in Johor, Malaysia, was born and raised there. Following his parents' marriage, he made the transition to Kuala Lumpur and now resides in...Read more

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