Looking to buy someone a cute gift at affordable prices? You can pick up jewellery, flowers, and souvenirs at these Hong Kong markets.
There are endless options in Hong Kong if you want to have some outdoor fun. Say, you can chill at the best beaches in Hong Kong, conquer hiking trails, or get in touch with nature at family farms. But if you want to stay close to the city and have a classic outdoor shopping experience, these Hong Kong markets have all the colour and excitement you can imagine – affordable fashion, souvenirs, knick-knacks, and cute jewellery. Get ready to haggle for the best price!
Hong Kong markets for you to shop and explore
1. Ladies’ Market
The Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok is where you can try out your negotiating skills and nab a bargain. Selling everything from ‘designer’ handbags to ‘silk’ scarves and robes – not everything at the Ladies’ Market is authentic – this is an excellent place to pick up souvenirs, gifts, and things for around the home.
Here’s a tip for ya: Don’t be afraid to ask if you can’t see what you want in the stall, as many owners simply can’t fit all their wares in; thus, they rent spaces behind them where they store extra products. Other must-buys at the Ladies’ Market include novelty USB flash drives, headphones, and art. And even if you aren’t in the market for a purchase, the hustle and bustle of the street is a quintessential Hong Kong experience.
The Ladies Market, Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
2. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
At the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, bird lovers gather everyday from around 7am to relax with their songbirds. It’s a great place to go and enjoy the diversity of Hong Kong, as hundreds of coloured birds in cages enjoy the fresh air and create a unique harmony while their owners catch up on the local news.
If you are looking for your own songbird, small stalls sell a variety of the tiny birds in colours of the rainbow. These shops also sell birdcages that range in size and material; whereas the traditional metal and wooden ones can make great gifts or souvenirs.
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, 222-224 Prince Edward Road West, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
3. Flower Market
If you’re looking for a stunning photo opportunity, visiting the Flower Market is a must. Colourful blooms litter the street alongside a range of dried and artificial flowers in every variety you can imagine.
Besides the flowers themselves, the surrounding shops sell everything that you need to grow your own plants, including seeds, soils, pots, and tools. For those of you looking to grow your own herbs or create a terrarium, this is the place to go. As one of the most popular Hong Kong markets, it’s best to visit around 10am – and beware of the crowds during the weekend!
Flower Market, Flower Market Road, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
4. Electronic Flea Market
Located in the heart of Sham Shui Po, Apliu Street is the ultimate flea market. Walk the length of the street to find sellers of used musical instruments, electric tools, old remote controls, jewellery, antiques, and much more. Many of the items will just be piled up high on the street, so if you spend some time looking through, you can find some hidden gems.
This is also a great place to visit if you are looking for anything to do with lighting. The shops have an array of LED lights, fairy lights, and bulbs for sale in every colour imaginable – perfect for Christmas and special occasions.
Electronic Flea Market, Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
5. Goldfish Market
Goldfish are a hugely popular pet in Hong Kong, as an aquarium filled with the fish is said to bring a home good luck. So head to Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok where you can shop for your own unique fish. Wander the street and see thousands of fish hung in plastic bags ranging in colour, shape, and size – each looking for its forever home.
As well as the goldfish, a range of other reptiles can be found at the market. You can also shop for aquarium needs, such as coral, filters, and food.
Goldfish Market, Tung Choi Street North, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
6. Temple Street Night Market
Opening after dark, the Temple Street Night Market in Yau Ma Tei is a fun place to shop for Hong Kong trinkets. This is where you’ll want to go if you are looking for an affordable Chinese tea set, chess set, or jade pendant. Vendors also sell a selection of watches, jewellery, clothing, games, fans, and accessories, making it the ideal spot to pick up gifts and souvenirs.
Walking through the stalls in the evening is an experience in itself, as the market is surrounded by local street food vendors, musicians, and fortune tellers that all add to the fun atmosphere.
Temple Street Night Market, Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
7. Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street) Antique Market
Markets aren’t exclusively a Kowloon affair. Heading to the Hong Kong Island side, we have the antique market on Upper Lascar Row, also known as Cat Street. Here, you’ll find an astounding array of jade gems, Chinese calligraphy, vintage furniture, and collectibles – Bruce Lee posters, anyone?
As for why foreigners have come to refer to Upper Lascar Row as Cat Street (while locals tend to simply call it Antique Street), it’s because some of the shops used to sell goods embezzled by staff from the factories. These stolen goods are known as “mouse goods” (老鼠貨). Attracted by the low prices, shoppers would walk down the street, as if cats who scrutinised their prey.
Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street) Antique Market, Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
8. Stanley Market
Located in the beautiful village of Stanley, this market sits half outdoors, and half indoors (roofed by the Stanley Municipal Services Building). The Stanley Market is popular among locals and tourists for its range of silk garments, sportswear, accessories, jewellery, souvenirs, and more. Due to its relative remoteness from the city centre, the Stanley Market is often a little more laidback (even during the weekends, as most people flock to the nearby beach).
Off to spend a day there? Check out our neighbourhood guide to Stanley.
Stanley Market, Stanley New Street and Stanley Market Road, Stanley, Hong Kong
9. Sneakers Street
Venture onto Fa Yuen Street to find the ultimate haven for sneakerheads in Hong Kong. Sneakers Street is your one-stop shop for footwear, with rows of shoes displayed and conveniently laid out for you to compare the best prices and styles. With numerous retail sneaker shops across the street (and some spilling over onto adjacent roads), you can nab everything from the classic Converse to the newest Air Jordans.
For anyone questioning the authenticity of the shoes sold here, rest assured that most of the shops here are authorised resellers and retailers. In fact, the street has become so popular that big brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma have opened official stores on Sneakers Street!
Sneakers Street, Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
10. Toy Street
Take a trip down the memory lane when you head down Tai Yuen Street, where you can explore an endless variety of toys. Meander along Toy Street and pick up some action figures, plushies, imitation Legos, cute stationery, and more while you’re there. You may even uncover some hidden treasures like limited-edition collectables! In addition, come by during the holiday season to stock up on festive decorations, costumes, and party supplies at great prices.
Toy Street, Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
[This article was originally published in February 2019 and updated in 2023 by Min Ji Park.]
