As the sun sets on Hong Kong, Temple Street comes to life with its glowing neon lights, red-white-blue tents of street karaoke, clusters of street vendors, and the tantalizing aroma of stir-fries. This vibrant ghetto of everything has been a popular destination for locals to hang out at night for over a century. Named after the Tin Hau Temple (天后廟) nearby, Temple Street is a must-visit for tourists planning a trip to Hong Kong.

To get to Temple Street, take Exit C from Yau Ma Tei MTR Station and immerse yourself in the area's vibrant atmosphere.

Aroma Hovering

Start your journey with some mouth-watering food at one of the many restaurants around the place. From the classic Mido Café, with its interior preserved in old Hong Kong style, the mouthwatering Claypot rice at Hing Kee (興記煲仔飯), to the exotic snake soup at Snake King Sun (蛇王新) that warms you up in winter, there's something to please every palate. Just make sure to empty your stomach before you visit!

Street Vendors

Temple Street is a bustling night market that welcomes you with a red Chinese-style gateway at both ends, hinting at the eclectic surprises that await within. Here, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and explore a myriad of street vendors selling everything from antiques, jade, and clothes to souvenirs, gadgets, and paintings. However, it's important to exercise caution when shopping for luxury items, such as Gucci bags, as many are counterfeit. Additionally, products are often sold without price tags, so you should be prepared to haggle with vendors to ensure you get a fair price.

The market is also renowned for its cultural diversity, as it serves as a hub for various ethnic groups, including Nepalese, Indians, and Filipinos. Alongside the many vendors, you can discover a range of ethnic grocery stores lining the sides of the market, offering a unique glimpse into Hong Kong's multicultural society.

Fortune Telling and Street Karaoke

For those curious about their destiny, head over to Market Road near the Tin Hau Temple to try your hand at fortune-telling. You can choose from a number of means, including tarot, palm reading, and Chinese astrology. Be part of the local traditions and let the fortune-tellers lead the way.

Led by the sounds of the Hong Kong 60s songs, you'll find some street karaoke along the sidewalk of the road, dominated by middle-aged locals. Drop a few HK$20 notes to embed yourself in the community and join them in singing along.

A few more places to visit

For those who love handicrafts, The Jade Market offers a wide variety of gemstones and jewelry in a warren of stalls. At Kwok Kee Wood Ware Sculpture (郭記木器雕刻), you'll find a statue of Guan Yu, the God of War portrayed in the Three Kingdoms (for die-hard fans of the novel). For something customized, head to Biu Kee Mah-Jong (標記蔴雀) for local traditions, where artisans can hand-carve your name onto the tiles, or to Hawk Ltd (巧佳廣告製作有限公司) for a red-white-blue sign in Chinese calligraphy that resembles the city's minibus destination signs.