The streets of Hong Kong are filled with some of the most amazing markets. You can get anything you need or want at one of the many street markets in Hong Kong; souvenirs, jade, jewelry, antiques, clothing, food, pets, purses, shoes, electronics, sex toys and you can even have your fortune told.
The Stanley Market, located in Aberdeen, was originally started as a market to unload surplus clothing made in the garment factories of Hong Kong. The Chinese people would not wear the clothing manufactured for the North American market, so they were sold to the white residents of the upscale Aberdeen and Stanley neighborhoods.
Today the Stanley Market is the premier tourist market selling everything from clothing, silk scarves to souvenirs. Bus loads of tourists visit the market everyday. The prices are higher than at many of the other markets but the selection and quality are good. It is the best market to buy silk scarves. They have the best selection, quality and prices. Most tours of the city stop at the Stanley Market so it is likely that this could be the only market many visitors see.
The Ladies Market, located in Kowloon, is where many locals shop. At one time is was exclusively ladies clothing. Now the selection includes souvenirs, designer knock off bags, toys and even some naughty lingerie. Be prepared to bargain as the prices go up for tourists.
A few blocks up from the Ladies Market you will come to the Goldfish Market where there are several blocks of aquarium stores selling goldfish. The fish are displayed in little plastic bags hung on the outside of the shop. You can also get other kinds of fish and aquarium supplies including salt water fish and live corals.
If you continue walking through the goldfish market you arrive at the Flower Market. This is a local market where Hong Kong residents buy fresh flowers. The flowers are displayed up and down the street. You can have a bouquet custom made or buy live plants.
At the end of the Flower Market you will come to Yeun Po Bird Garden where people bring their pet song birds to socialize them. I am not really sure that birds need socialization but the owners seem to make an outing out of a visit to the park. There is a Bird Market in the park where you can buy a wide variety of birds from small song birds to larger Myna birds as well as bird supplies like cages and food.
Also in the area is the Fa Yeun Street Market. This is the one of the largest street markets selling everything from clothing, food, toys, tea, souvenirs, household goods, purses, shoes; basically anything you might need or want. The market is always busy as the residents of Kowloon shop here. This is a good place to buy Chinese souvenirs. The prices are reasonable before you start to bargain and the selection is fantastic. The market stretches for several blocks and ends at the Goldfish market.
The Jade Market, also located in Kowloon but closer to the waterfront, sells jewelry made of jade and other materials, and some antiques. Most of what you will find here is made of jade. Again you can bargain but be careful to ensure what you are purchasing is really jade not a jade look-a-like. The selection is good with a wide range of prices and pieces to choose from.
Temple Street Night Market is billed as the largest and best market in Hong Kong but I prefer the Ladies Market or the Fa Yeun Street Market. The Night Market certainly has the most diverse selection of all the markets. They sell similar things to the other markets but also have discounted electronics, sex toys and a street of fortune tellers.
You can have your tarot cards or palm read by one of the many fortune tellers at the market. At the end of the fortune tellers you will come to the Karaoke stalls where the Hong Kong Idol wannabes practice. The singing is sometimes painful to listen to but the singers are giving it there all.
Just a little tip on bargaining, you can ask the price but do not start bargaining unless you are serious about buying the item. The Chinese consider entering into the bargaining process a commitment to purchasing the item after the two parties come to an agreement on the price. They do not like to bargain in bad faith.
Hong Kong and Kowloon have no shortage of interesting markets to visit. The Stanley Market on the island of Hong Kong, the Jade Market and the Ladies Market in Kowloon are great places to buy gifts for your friends and family at home. The Temple Street Night market and the Fa Yeun Street Market are wonderful markets to wander around in for authentic market atmosphere while the bird and fish markets are both unique to Hong Kong. The Flower market is full of the wonder aroma of fresh flowers and plants.
Whatever market or markets you choose to visit in Hong Kong you will have a refreshing and stimulating experience just walking around and looking. Of course the shopping is good and if you are not careful you might need another suitcase to take home all your purchases.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/market/index.jhtml
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hongkong/0078031497.HTML
http://www.marimari.com/cOnTENT/hong_kong/popular_places/kowloon/main.HTML
