Markets, Hong Kong

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Wanchai Market is a large daytime market covering several streets in the Wanchai district. Most unique are the meat markets with the animal carcasses hanging outdoors for people and flies to inspect as closely as they like... I enjoyed the fruit markets, as I found dragonfruit for about US$3 here -- this pink & green-skinned fruit with the white inside is my favorite tropical fruit!

Wanchai market also has clothes, shoes, purses, and a few restaurants.

Temple Street has a unique atmosphere that makes it a must-see attraction. Fortune tellers huddle by kerosene lamps next to local chess masters. Street singers perform Cantonese opera. Tables and chairs from stalls selling local delicacies overflow into this street that was named after a nearby temple honouring the goddess Tin Hau. And great bargains abound with an emphasis on items for men.

Open 4pm - midnight

The Ladies' Market is famous for its women's clothing. It is also great place to pick up bargain-priced clothes for men and children, accessories, handbags, cosmetics, watches, small household items and toys.

If you don't want to buy anything just walk through the market for the experience.

Open 12:00noon - 11:30pm

The Jade Market at Kansu and Battery streets in Yau Ma Tei is a magnet for jade collectors from around the world. You can find everything from rare and valuable jade carvings to small, inexpensive trinkets.

Jade is hightly prized in China as many believe it wards off evil spirits and protects travellers.

Jade and gemstone testing is available at the Jade Plaza.

Open from 10am - 5pm

Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok is a magnet for tropical fish fans. The more than 10 stores in this area specialise in all things needed to keep tropical fish, like aquariums and fish food.

Open 10.30am to 10pm

When I went to the Jade Market I bought some Christmas ornaments made out of tagua nut. Tagua nut looks similar to Ivory so it is a good substitute. Once the nuts are harvested and dried, they form a very hard material very similar to animal Ivory in appearance and workability. Each Tagua Nut is unique and is covered in a tough outer skin which when peeled reveals an Ivory-White interior. It is up to the artists' skill to transform the nut into a piece of art.

A very unique Christmas ornament and makes a good gift for friends and relatives.

This fascinating covered market, in two separate structures, consists of around 400 stalls selling jade, pearls, and collectibles and is open from about 10am to approximately 4pm daily. Get a souvenir but don't spend more than a few dollars.

Warning: You better know your Jade as it comes in different kinds of quality and may not even be real.

A visit to one of Hong Kongs markets should be included during your stay in Hong Kong, we went to the famous Temple Street Market in Kowloon. It is noisy and full of people looking for bargains. On our shopping trip we managed to find watches for less than 1.50GBP (they are still working) and also for the ladies we found a stall selling Chinese dresses and tops which were good quality and also fairly priced.