Thing to do
Star Ferry
The historic green-and-white ferries that have crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888, linking Tsim Sha Tsui with Central and Wan Chai for a few Hong Kong dollars.
Temple Street Night Market
Kowloon's best-known night market, filling Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan with stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, jade and antiques alongside street food and claypot rice.
At a glance
- Type
- Night market
- Area
- Yau Ma Tei and Jordan, Hong Kong
Good to know
- Free to browse
- Street food
- Bargaining expected
Why we recommend it
Temple Street takes its name from the Tin Hau temple that stood here, now the Tin Hau Temple Complex in Yau Ma Tei, and the road itself dates from the Qing dynasty. Today it is best known for its night market, one of the busiest in Hong Kong, which runs through the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan sections of the street. The street has also appeared in many Hong Kong films, including Queen of Temple Street and Stephen Chow's The God of Cookery.
Stalls start setting up in the afternoon, and the street is closed to traffic around dusk, when the crowds arrive and the lights come on over more than 100 stalls. Goods range from clothing, souvenirs, jade and antiques to watches, phones, jeans, shoes and accessories. Second-hand goods turn up too. Prices are negotiable, so bargain politely and compare a few stalls before buying, and remember that branded items at very low prices are unlikely to be genuine.
Food is as much a part of the visit as shopping. Temple Street is known for street snacks, roadside dining and seafood restaurants, and claypot rice is a popular, affordable choice on cooler evenings. Look for busy places with a quick turnover. The street also has traditional Chinese medicine clinics, a reminder that this is a working neighbourhood as well as a tourist sight.
Come after dark, when the market is at its liveliest. Allow one to two hours to walk the length of the market and eat. It is crowded, so keep valuables secure and carry cash in small notes for the stalls. The market suits budget travellers, families with older children and anyone who enjoys street life. Pushchairs can be hard to manoeuvre at peak times.
The first Temple Street Festival was held in 2003 with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, a sign of how important the street has become to the city's image.
The nearest MTR stations are Yau Ma Tei, about a minute from exit C, and Jordan, about ten minutes from exit A. The Tin Hau Temple Complex that gave the street its name is in the same area and is worth a look before the market gets busy. The market is free to enter, and there are no tickets or opening formalities.
Temple Street Night Market FAQs
When does Temple Street Night Market open?
Stalls begin opening in the afternoon, and the market is at its liveliest after dark when the street closes to traffic.
What can you buy there?
Clothing, souvenirs, jade, antiques, watches, phones, shoes and accessories.
Should you bargain?
Yes. Prices are negotiable, so bargain politely.
What should you eat?
Street snacks, seafood and claypot rice are popular choices.
How do you get there?
Take the MTR to Yau Ma Tei, exit C, which is about a minute away, or Jordan, exit A, about ten minutes away.
How long should you allow?
One to two hours to browse and eat.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no charge to walk around the market.
Why is it called Temple Street?
It is named after the Tin Hau temple, now the Tin Hau Temple Complex in Yau Ma Tei.