Hong Kong markets are an absolute must on any visit to the ex-colony. Bustling with life and color, they remain an everyday part of many locals life, and are also a great place to grab a bargain. We've got the eight best Hong Kong markets listed below, with a guide to what's on offer at each one.
Probably Hong Kong's most famous market, and one of the best for visiting tourists to soak up the hustle and bustle of a Chinese market. Despite the name, the markets sells clothes for men and women and plenty of cheap Chinese curios, as well as being one of the locations for Hong Kong's buzzing trade in copies and fakes.
Tung Choi Street, Mongkok.
2. Wan Chai Street Market
One of the biggest outdoor markets on Hong Kong Island, Wan Chai Street Market sells a variety of everything, from kids toys, to Chinese clothes, making it one big, low-cost department store. Locals still shop here and prices remain fair. Tai Yuen Street, Mongkok.
3. Business Card Market
A fascinating single lane, clogged with sellers of business cards and company chops. Hong Kong's business card market must be one of the most vibrant in the world, as everybody in the city has one. Bring your CD, or USB flash drive, give the seller your design, or let them design one for you, and you can have your cards made in a day or two. Man Wah Lane, Sheung Wan.
4. Costume Market
Hong Kong is a party town and this is its party market, featuring costumes for sale, masks, and various, more mundane, cheap accessories and jewelry. Packed during the run-up to Halloween. Wing-wo Street, Central.
5. Cat Street
Some claim this is an antiques treasure trove, others that it's one big flea market. Stalls sell jade, coins, posters and lots of old looking Chinese bits and pieces, although for the most part they were probably made yesterday in Guangdong. Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan.
6. Golden Shopping Arcade
Probably Hong Kong's best computer market, and there is plenty of competition, the Golden Arcade features hundreds of independent stores, flogging the best in computer technology at fairly low prices. Be prepared, the arcade is a maze and almost always packed, on top of that sellers can be aggressive. Check out our guide to buying electronics in Hong Kong, for some tips. Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po
7. Stanley Market
A bit of tourist trap, Stanley market is nevertheless well-worth a walkthrough. Selling various tourist rubbish, such as your name written in Chinese, or T-Shirts with pictures of Hong Kong, unfortunately, the market, thanks to its prime location, is somewhat overpriced. Main Street, Stanley
8. Temple Street Market
A night market selling mostly gadgets and small electronic items, including a wide-range of second-hand mobile phones. The streets surrounding the market are transformed at night into one big, open-air restaurant, as street food sellers set tables for hungry shoppers. Temple Street, Mongkok.
