Markets, Hong Kong

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

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

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

The Temple Street Night Market is a large area filled with street vendors and small store fronts selling just about everything. Veggies, meat, toys, clothes, grocery stores, and small restaurants cover every square inch or real estate, but most don't show up until around 9pm, so don't come too early.

We wandered around here for only 30 minutes to an hour, stopped for dinner, then hit the bars in Kowloon.

The Project for Public Spaces named the Temple Street Night Market one of60 of the world's Great Public Spaces!

If you want to shop in Hong Kong, there is nothing like the market shopping that is scattered throughout the city. There is the Bird Market and the Flower Market where there is an assortment of birds and flowers (self-explanatory name). There is also the Ladies Market where you can find virtually anything from accessories to clothing. There is also the Temple Street Market where you can find jade and antiquities if you dare venture out at night. There is also the Jade Market if you are interested in buying jade. This only touches on some of well-known markets that are scattered throughout Hong Kong. Don't be afraid to bargain, it is expected!! And bargain lower than what you are willing to pay because 9 times out of 10 as you walk away, you will get your deal or something close to it!!! Don't forget to pick up your handy-dandy tourist map at the airport or a tourist office to highlight where to go shopping!

Temple Street Night Market is everyones favorite market in Hong Kong, and it's easy to see why. After 7pm Temple Street comes alive, fulfilling every bargain hunters fantasies.

You can pretty much find whatever you are looking for here. Whether it's souviners for family and friends back home, phony Rolexes, Louis Vuitton Replicas, pornographic movies, "I Love Hong Kong" shirts, or Chinese herbal Medicine. You can find all of those, plus a whole lot more.

There are no set prices here, so it's pretty much expected of you to bargain. Paying for the asking price is just plain crazy.

This is the place to find inexpensive women's clothes. Anything from lingerie to shoes, jeans to accessories. There are also plenty of leather goods, great knock off handbags and wallets. There are also toys, gadgets, cosmetics and hair accessories as well as Men’s and children’s clothing. A little tough to try on things so be prepared to try over whatever you are wearing.

The Ladies Market is open from noon to 10:30 p.m.

Ok, you have wandered through every shiny clean shopping centre you can find. Looking for something a little different ....Find a fresh produce "WET MARKET" and prepare yourself for an entirely different Hong Kong experience.

From mid afternoon people flock to wet markets so this is the best time to see hoards of locals, drawn to the quality and price, seeking out the freshest and cheapest produce for their dinner. No refrigeration here. Mostly everything on display is as fresh as it can possibly be, though I personally would be hesitant to buy meat which has been hanging in the polluted humid air for hours. Seafood, on the other hand, is plentiful and looks like it couldnt get any fresher. Its facinating to watch the fish still swimming about oblivious to their fate. Watch out for the hoses watering everything down periodically.

Most districts will have a fresh produce market. I have been to wet markets in Wan Chai and Mongkok but my favourite is in Sham Shui Po simply because as soon as you step out onto the street from the MTR concourse you are in the heart of a residential district and the sights and smells of the nearby Wet market reflect this local culture.

Nearby is the Aplui Street electronics market selling both new and used merchandise.

This is the place to go for the imitation designer watches, handbags, purses, CDs, DVDs, etc. You can also find kitschy souvenirs and lots of other random stuff. There is a row of palm-readers and fortune-tellers outside the temple, many of whom speak English. And of course, lots of yummy street food is available. Just be sure to bargain hard!