3 Hong Kong Night Markets: Sights, Sounds, and a Myriad of Scents
Photographs from three Hong Kong night markets
All images by Ced Yong (The Scribbling Geek)
Famous Hong Kong Night Markets
Hong Kong night markets are famous worldwide, and since the 1990s, I’ve visited many of them. This never stops me from returning again and again during new trips, though, for these bazaars are such an atmospheric and classic way to experience Hong Kong.
In my opinion, there’s truly no easier, more convenient, or more immediate way to get up close and personal with the street culture and food of the former British colony.
The following is a visual summary of my visit to three famous Hong Kong night markets during one holiday. The markets are the two world-famous Kowloon markets of Temple Street and Ladies' Market, and Chun Yeung Street at North Point, a more locally-oriented food market.
I’m sure you can tell from my pictures that a visit to any of these Hong Kong night markets is a wonderful Asian travel experience not to be missed.
1. Temple Street Night Market (廟街)
Temple Street is arguably the most famous of all Hong Kong night markets, and it is always the first attraction I’d visit on any trip to Hong Kong.
Named after a Tin Hau (Empress of Heaven) Temple at the heart of the district and easily reached by public transportation, this venerable open-air bazaar caters not only to tourists, but it's also where locals head to for fortune-telling and delicious Cantonese cuisine. Visiting it before other Hong Kong attractions thus effectively puts me in the right “mood” for the rest of my stay.
The Shadowy Side of Temple Street Night Market
I have something else to share about Hong Kong’s largest night market.
Travelers familiar with Hong Kong night markets would know of Temple Street’s rather dodgy reputation in certain areas. Brands are often misspelled, as in intentionally. Rather Spartan DVD and Blu-Ray stores are also stocked full of blockbusters curiously still running in cinemas. Or yet to be released.
There are also the dilapidated tenements behind the stalls, many with appearances that would be right at home in Cantonese horror movies. These are said to be where illegal prostitutes ply their trade.
In short, there is always something dodgy about Temple Street, especially in the darker corners. I never allow such shady stuff to get to me, though. In fact, I would say neither should any other traveler.
While there’s obviously much more at Temple Street Night Market outside of clothes and souvenirs, the merchants here are well-familiar with international visitors and keen to preserve their reputation as a foremost attraction. One that’s free to visit for anyone in Hong Kong.
There is, thus, never any hard selling. No form of harassment as well. If anything, some tourists might even find the stall keepers a little too aloof.
If the shady businesses bother you, all you need to do is just walk away. You should, of course, also avoid venturing near.
Dining at Temple Street
As mentioned earlier, Temple Street is where locals head to for good food. Today, many of the enterprising restaurants and dai pai dong here cater to tourists too, with English menus readily available.
It was thus truly interesting to see how some Temple Street eateries were seated with more Westerners than local residents. There is no doubt that this district is today, one of the best and most colorful “international” locations to sample Hong Kong cuisine.
Getting to Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street Night Market can be reached in three ways.
- Take the MTR Tseun Wan Line to Jordan Station. Look for Exit A and turn right upon leaving the station. Walk along busy Jordan Road till you see the Chinese gate marking the start of Temple Street.
- Alternatively, you could use Exit C2. Doing so put you in Bowring Street, which I’ve briefly described above. Note that if you use this route, you would need to use a map to know when to turn to reach Temple Street.
- If you do not mind not starting at the “heart” of the night market demarcated by the two Chinese-style gates, you could take the MTR Tseun Wan Line to Yau Ma Tei station. Use Exit C and head up Man Ming Lane, i.e., away from Nathan Road. Temple Street is after Arthur Street. Head southwards till you see the Northern Gate at Kansu Street.
2. Mongkok Ladies' Market (女人街) and Sai Yeung Choi Street South (西洋菜南街)
After Temple Street, at around 8 pm, I started making my way to Ladies' Market, a journey that involved just one MTR ride on the Tseun Wan Line.
Located in the heart of the lively Mong Kok district, Ladies' Market is, to me, an even bigger tourist draw because it is surrounded by several other attractions. In the vicinity are tons of eateries, an alley specializing in sneakers, and even a stretch of pet shops with window displays that would melt your heart.
Best of all, the adjacent street, Sai Yeung Choi Street South (西洋菜南街), is pedestrianized for street performances on weekends. I was really looking forward to watching these open-air performances. Many of the buskers here have appeared on Hong Kong television and YouTube or in documentaries featuring Hong Kong night markets.
(Update: Unfortunately, after years of complaints by nearby shops and residents, the Sai Yeung Choi Street performers were forced to vacate the district on July 29, 2018. Some performers have thereafter shifted to other high-traffic touristy areas, such as Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Chui. However, there is currently no concrete plan for a new performance venue for these buskers.)
Yikes! Stinky Tofu Alert!
A word of “warning” regarding this night market, so to speak.
My route that evening was to exit Mong Kok Station using Exit D3, head south down Sai Yeung Choi Street South, make a left turn when I hit Dundas Street, then another left turn to head north up Tung Choi Street.
If you are also using this U-shaped route of mine during your visit, be aware that the snack shop at the junction of Sai Yeung Choi Street South and Dundas Street is one of the most beloved outlets for Hong Kong Stinky Tofu.
To say Stinky Tofu is an acquired taste/smell is an understatement, yet some would also insist that one has not truly experienced the “Fragrant Harbor” without at least one sniff of this classic Hong Kong street food.
As for me, it’s an aroma to flee from immediately! For that reason, I have no pictures of this junction and outlet to share. I was too preoccupied with scuttling away!
Tip: Not the End of the Road
I have another tip regarding Ladies’ Market. Don’t limit yourself to the stretch south of Argyle Street. Cross over Argyle Street when the roadside stalls end and continue heading north, i.e., in the direction of Prince Edward MTR station.
Pretty soon, you’ll come to an overpass, and beyond this is the pet market. Many shops are open till late and full of oh-so-cutesy window displays. (Most do not permit photography, though.)
Getting to Ladies’ Market
The most convenient way is to take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line to Mong Kok Station. From exits D1 or D2, head up Argyle Street, away from the main junction with Nathan Road. Tung Choi Street is the street after Sai Yeung Choi Street.
3. North Point Night Market (北角/春秧街)
Two evenings after the above visit, I made my way to Chun Yeung Street night market at the heart of the North Point district.
There were various reasons for my wanting to visit this market, the foremost of which is the market was a major inspiration for one of my favorite open-world video games, United Front’s Sleeping Dogs.
Having read in advance that the market primarily caters to locals, I also anticipated the visit to be a very different experience from my earlier ones; no souvenirs or bargain clothes hunting at this one.
Instead, I would be getting an intimate peep at a typical Hong Kong resident’s daily life. Here was also where I might look a little odd, stumbling about with my touristy DSLR camera.
How do I feel about Chun Yeung Street? Well, it’s definitely not touristy. Much smaller compared to the better-known street markets in Kowloon too, with 90% of products unsuitable for tourists.
That said, it’s a different look at Hong Kong. Moreover, the market is easily reached, merely two stations away from the tourist haven of Causeway Bay.
And oh yes. I did attract some attention with my photo-taking. A bunch of elderly gentlemen were making faces at me, much amused by my fumbling with my tripod.
Getting to Chun Yeung Street Night Market
Take the MTR Island Line to North Point Station, use Exit A2, and head further up Marble Road right to its end, in the direction away from the MTR exit. Chun Yeung Street is across the road. (You would need to make a slight detour to cross the road because of a traffic flyover.) If you wish to see Sunbeam Theatre, then use Exit B1.
Three great Hong Kong night markets to visit.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2017 Ced Yong
