These two areas are the most lively neighbourhoods of the city, with narrow streets, markets, neon lights and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Mong Kok
This neighbourhood retains much of its traditional characteristics with various markets, small shops, and food stalls that have disappeared from most other neighbourhoods in Hong Kong due to the economic developments. Take a look at the Ladies’ Market, Goldfish Market, Bird Garden and Flower Market.
Yau Ma Tei
This neighbourhood is mainly an area of mixed residential and retail with the Tin Hau Temple, the Jade Market and the Temple Street Night Market.
MTR – Prince Edward:
The easiest way to get to Mong Kok is to take the metro to MTR – Prince Edward station.
Tip: Do you plan to travel a lot by public transportation take the Octopus Card.
Link: Hong Kong Metro
Link: Octopus Card
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Flower Market:
The Flower Market, is a fragrant street with over 50 shops filled with flowers and houseplants. The variety is tremendous; you can go here for anything such as exotic orchids to Dutch tulips. Especially for the Chinese New Year people go here to buy beneficial plants for good fortune. Shops are open between 07:00 and 19:00.
Address: Flower Market Road, Mong Kok.
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Bird Garden:
The Bird Garden is a lovely Chinese garden with courtyards, but also a favorite meeting place for Hong Kong Chinese with songbirds. The owners carry their winged pets here, so that these songbird can communicate with other birds. Besides the many beautiful birds you can also find beautiful wooden cages at this garden. You can visit between 07:00 and 20:00.
Address: Yuen Po Street, Mong Kok.
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Gold Fish Market:
The residents of Hong Kong and Chinese people in general, believe that fish in aquiriums can bring good fortune. The Gold Fish Market market specializes in all kinds of exotic fish, but as the name suggests mostly in goldfish. The fish hung from racks, ready to be taken along in plastic bags. You can also go here for aquariums and related ornaments. Shops are open between 10:30 and 22:00.
Address: Tung Choi Street North Section, Mong Kok.
Ladies’ Market:
The Ladies’ Market is a must for fashion lovers who want to enjoy fashion and have only little money to spend. This popular street market is full of clothes, bags and accessories. You can also find toys and household items here. Stalls are open from 12:00 to 23:30.
Address: Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok.
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Jade Market:
Jade symbolizes a combination of purity and beauty and is associated with longevity and good health. Newborns will therefore often receive jade as birth gifts. At the Jade Market, with its 400 stalls, you can find a wide variety of bracelets, pendants, rings and ornaments. Jade ranges in color from almost white to deep dark green, sometimes with yellow and brown tones. Top quality jade is pure green and incredibly expensive and most of Jade on the market does not come from China but from Myanmar. The market is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tip: At the corner of Canton Road with Jordan Road there is a giant jade stone weighing over three tonnes.
Address: Jade Street, Yau Ma Tei.
Tin Hau Temple:
In Hong Kong there are around 70 temples dedicated, either in whole or in part, to Tin Hau, the Goddess of Seafarers. Anyone depending on the sea for their existence, will honor her. Especially Tin Hau’s birthday is celebrated elaborately, during the 23rd day of the 3rd Moon of the year, usually somehwere in April, so that she will bring safety, good weather and full nets filled with fish. In this particular temple besides being Tin Hau, also Shing Wong Tin Hau, the God of the City and To Tei, the God of the earth are worshiped. Open between 08:00 and 17:00.
Address: Yung Shue Tau, Yau Ma Tei.
Temple Street Night Market:
Temple Street market are quaintly lit stalls where you can shop ’till you drop. It is also known as the Men’s Street because you can find cheap items specifically for men, such as clothes, watches, CDs and electronic gadgets. In the evening, it is a really cosey area, because you can eat here as well. Especially the fresh fish and seafood are not to be missed.
Tip: On the market at the end of street (Yau Ma Tei side) you can often listen to Chinese opera in the open air.
Address: Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei.