The Hong Kong Ladies' Market, located on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, Kowloon, is a vibrant open-air market spanning approximately 1 km. Despite its name, it offers a wide array of goods for everyone, not just ladies, including clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry, souvenirs, electronics, and even household items. Shopping Experience: The market is known for its bargain shopping atmosphere, with over 100 stalls packed tightly. You'll find a mix of affordable fashion goods, accessories, "I Love Hong Kong" themed souvenirs, and often, counterfeit designer items. The quality of items can vary significantly, so inspect them carefully. Haggling is essential at the Ladies' Market. Vendors typically start with inflated prices, especially for tourists. A good strategy is to offer around 30-50% of the initial asking price and negotiate upwards. Politeness and a smile go a long way. If a vendor doesn't budge, don't hesitate to walk away; you'll likely find a similar item elsewhere. Buying in bulk can also give you more leverage for discounts. What to Buy: Popular items include: Clothing and Accessories: Dresses, tops, jeans, shoes, bags, wallets, scarves, belts, watches, sunglasses, and fashion jewelry. Souvenirs: "I Love Hong Kong" T-shirts, keychains, magnets, and traditional Chinese trinkets. Electronics and Gadgets: Phone cases, power banks, headphones, and novelty electronic items. Other Goods: Toys, household items, and sometimes even plants and animals (further north, earning it the nickname "Goldfish Street"). Atmosphere and Tips: The market is often crowded and chaotic, bustling with energy, especially on weekends. It's a lively cultural experience, even if you're not planning to buy anything. Best Time to Visit: The market typically opens around midday and gets livelier in the mid-afternoon, staying open until 10 PM or 11 PM, and sometimes later on busy nights. Go early on weekends to avoid the largest crowds. Payment: Cash is king, and many vendors prefer it, sometimes offering additional discounts for cash payments. Browse First: It's advisable to walk the entire length of the market and compare prices before making a purchase, as similar items can be found at different stalls for varying prices. Be Aware: While it's a fun experience, be mindful of the quality of goods, particularly for electronics and counterfeit items. The Ladies' Market offers a quintessential Hong Kong street shopping experience, combining the thrill of bargaining with a chance to immerse yourself in...
Read moreThe Ladies Market is located along Tung Choi Street in the heart of Mongkok. This is one of the most popular street markets for visitors in Hong Kong. Here you will find two blocks of stalls selling expected range of souvenirs; t-shirts, clothing, shoes, handbags, costume jewellery, sunglasses, towels, knick-knacks, accessories, chop-sticks and other items of interest.
There is much to see but nothing original in the Ladies Market. As such, you can afford to look around a bit before asking prices and deciding if you want to buy something. You see the same items at different stalls throughout the market.
Note: Much of what you will see at the Ladies Market is similar to items being sold at the Temple Street Night Market in Ya Ma Tai/Jordan district. As such, you might want to choose one or the other instead of spending time at both.
If you decide to purchase something, be ready to haggle for prices. Depending on how desperate, excited or experienced you appear - vendors will quote anything from 25-200% price inflation. Smile, be polite and prices will start going down quickly. Over the years, we have found the stall-keepers to be generally friendly as long as you are the same.
Note: It is mostly fine to take pictures of the stalls and merchandise in the Ladies Market. A few vendors have 'No Picture' signs or hold up their hand - a request for you to stop. Just be respectful and stop if this happens. You are going to see a lot of the same items throughout the market so just save your picture taking for a more willing vendor.
Note: If you are hungry, just behind the street stalls on Tung Choi Street, you will find quite a few small Korean, Japanese and other cheap eateries. These are worth trying if you fancy an economical and decent bite to eat in between market hopping in Hong Kong.
Note: This market area is perfectly safe and a family-friendly place to spend time in Mongkok. Your biggest issue with simply be the crowds which can be daunting in this district during much of the day.
Note: The Ladies Market is one of several interesting markets you can visit in the Mongkok district. It runs parallel to the Fa Yuen Street which is a traditional cheap goods market. There is also a Sneaker Street section of Fa Yuen Street for those specifically seeking trainers. A bit further north you find the peculiar Goldfish, Flower and Bird Street markets as well. Collectively, these make up a great way to spend a few...
Read moreA horrendous experience at this Ladies' Market stall - the female seller (pictured in the yellow shirt) used vile and obscene language to verbally abuse my mother for not buying a pack of playing cards for $79 from her stall. The female seller with tattooed eyebrows (her stall right of the yellow shirt seller's stall) joined in in yelling at and verbally abusing my mum for absolutely no reason.
We went as a family from overseas to this popular tourist destination, excited to experience what this market atmosphere had to offer and instead left shaken, very disturbed and disgusted by the abuse we experienced. We called the police to put these disgusting women in their place and to show them that they cannot abuse customers like this for not purchasing from their stall.
I'm writing this review not to prevent others from coming to this destination, but to warn others not to purchase anything from this woman for: firstly, robbing her customers in broad daylight and for verbally abusing international customers for not falling for her ridiculous prices. Stay away from her stall at all costs! A lot of the other sellers have the same products and don't treat their...
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