Temple Street, Hong Kong

Temple Street is a street located in the areas of Jordan and Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is well known for its night market and the busiest flea market at night in the territory. The night market is in the Yau Ma Tei, Jordan areas of the street and not the Mong Kok area of the street. Popular with both tourists and locals alike in the evening, it is common to see the place crowded at dusk. It sells cheap merchandise and food items. The place is sometimes known as Men's Street.

History

The place was built during the Qing Dynasty and it was named after a temple to Tin Hau was constructed there. It settled at banyan at the middle of the street (the place is called Yung Shue Tau). Contrast that with the Ladies' Market in Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

hopping

The place is sometimes known as Men's Street as it is very popular for men's fashion. The market starts at 2 p.m. in the afternoon, but is lively at dusk daily. Traffic is closed on the street at that time, and visitors swarm into the street. There are more than hundred stalls with colourful lights in the market. There are carts bulging with goods from clothing to mobile phones and watches. Stalls have items mainly for men, jeans, t-shirts, pants, lighters, shoes and men's accessories. Cheap merchandise is common in the night market. Cheap second hand goods such as cassettes, video tapes, old newspapers, antiques are also sold there. Like in Mainland China, prices can be negotiated by bargaining. This is very common in the night market.

If one has to buy merchandise in Temple Street, one has to hunt for shops hidden in streets behind the stalls rather than looking in the stall themselves. This is one of the uniqueness of Temple Street Night Market.

Entertainment

Tourists can do shopping or watch the show of Cantonese Opera.

Brothels

Temple Street is well-known for its prostitution activities inside the tenement houses. Many brothels are housed there and it is not difficult to see prostitutes wearing few pieces of clothing exchanging glances with passers-by. Some hustlers on the street bring the men to the brothel and there are many spartan rooms with no more than a bed. There are lots of neon lights on Temple Street to advertise these activities at night.

Temple Street In Film

The unique characteristics of Temple Street make it a desirable location to shoot films in Hong Kong such as "Queen of Temple Street" (1990) and "The Prince of Temple Street" (1992). It was used as a symbol for public life in Hong Kong at that time. Also, many gangster films describe the place as a street of crime.

Clinics

Old Chinese clinics exist on this street and they use Traditional Chinese medicine for curing illnesses and diseases. They are known as Masters instead of doctors and have run these clinics for many years.

Food and Beverage

The night market is famous for its snacks and roadside dining, which serves local street cuisine. It sells a wide range of delicious local delicacies.

There are also lots of restaurants selling seafood. These hot pots can be perfect for an intimate dinner. They are delicious as well as cheap. All of these culinary delicacies represent Hong Kong's traditional and unique food culture.

Temple Street Festival

During September 2003, the inaugural Temple Street Festival was organised and was supported by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Nearest MTR Stations

The nearest MTR stations to Temple Street are Jordan and Yau Ma Tei.

ee also

* List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
* Temple Street, Singapore
* List of streets and roads in Hong Kong

External links

* [http://www.pbase.com/hltam/templestreet Photo gallery of Temple Street]