6 Must Visit Street Markets Of Hong Kong

Hong Kong evokes the image of tall skyscrapers standing next to a bay on the South China Sea. What you remember is the iconic view with tall steel and glass buildings. Let me take you at the base of these tall buildings. In the streets here, there are bustling bazaars – selling all kinds of things in these Hong Kong Street Markets.

These street markets are a microcosm of life in Hong Kong. If you sit back and observe, you see the sellers and buyers interacting, you see the negotiations being done and an agreement is reached. You see the products locals buy and the products tourists buy.

Like Delhi Bazaars in good old days, markets here usually sell one product or a set of related products. For finding everything in one place, there are supermarkets and modern shopping malls.

# Ladies Market Hong Kong

This favorite market for tourists, as the name suggests, is of special interest for women. You can find small little things that women use in creative boxes and forms. There are all kinds of touristy stuff like ‘I Love HK’ T-shirts, Chinese tea sets, fridge magnets, and general Knick Knacks. The Ladies Market is also known for its fake copies of big brands.The items sold here are not the best quality ones but then they are cheap and affordable.

# Flower Market

I have seen flower markets in Bangkok and in almost all Indian cities. I am used to walking through piles of flowers – with men and women sorting them, packing them and tying them. And I expected something similar in the Flower Market here too. I was in for a surprise. Flower market in Kowloon is a retail market. You have lovely shops and boutiques selling flowers, plants, and succulents. The arrangement of flowers can be admired as much as flowers and plants.

Well, flowers always bring a smile on your face, but it was lovely to see people buy small pots for their balconies. There are many exotic plants and flowers all around – including all kinds of Orchids.

# Bird Market

The Bird Market is not easy to visit. It is painful to see the small colorful birds in small cages. It is a nicely designed small market. You pass through a small bird garden whose walls are painted with beautiful birds.

I took a quick walk and I was ready to hit the next market.I am told if you sit around, you can see some men making the birds sing. But I only saw men playing cards while the birds jumped within the limits of their cages.

# Gold Fish Market

Gold Fish Market would be my top recommendation for street markets of Hong Kong. Why? Because you would have probably seen anything like this. It is called the Gold Fish market but you get all kinds of pets here.

Gold Fish are considered lucky as per Chinese Feng Shui. Even I used to have them in my Bangalore home. I walked through the Gold Fish market with curiosity – there were Goldfishes of all sizes. The smallest ones were being sold in plastic pouches while the big ones had specially designed fish tanks for themselves.

# Jade Market

This is a market for those who love colored stones. Although Jade is the most popular stone sold here, you do find other popular semi-precious stones like Rose Quartz.

What is interesting about Jade Market is the variety of forms in which you can buy the stone. You can buy Jade in the form of jewelry – bangles, earrings, pendants. There is as carved animals – they will tell you an animal corresponding to your year of birth. Jade sticks with auspicious Chinese symbols on them are very popular. There are Chinese Good Luck Charms that are a perfect gift from China for your loved ones.

There is something to suit every budget. I bought a pair of Jade earrings.Chinese believe Jade brings in good health & long life. Traditionally, Jade is the first thing that a newborn in China receives from grandparents is a Jade Amulet. They are then regularly gifted among the Chinese.

# Temple Street Night Market

Not too far from Jade street is the famous night market of Temple street. As the other markets prepare to close down, the temple street night market starts opening up. This market is not very different from the Ladies market.I wanted to pick up the game of Mah-jong from here but we could not agree on a price.