Ladies market, night market, flower market, cloths market and so on. I have heard markets called by many names but Stanley is not one of them! It is so incongruous, at least to me, but then there it was.
Before heading for Hong Kong we had made a list of street markets to visit. Most were not far from each other in Kowloon, but Stanley market in Hong Kong was the odd man out. Our plan was, if we have some spare time we will visit this place. However the intrigue of the name was so much that it was almost the very first market we visited.
Stanley market is situated in a southern village in the island of HK, called, you guessed it, Stanley. 😀
A quick research told us that the only way to reach is by road. There is no MTR connection. We decided to take the double-decker bus from Central Bus Terminus in Exchange Square. We checked our Octopus cards and boarded the MTR to Central and then bus number, 6A.
I think this was one of the best decisions, as we had the best view of the streets of HK and at the fraction of the cost. At places, it seemed as if we could reach out and shake hands with the people living in the buildings along the narrow streets. Eventually the bus dropped us off at Stanley Bus Stop. It took us almost an hour or so to reach the place.
Vasu had dozed off somewhere along the way and woke up with a jolt. A quick recce and we found the old Stanley village (Chek Chue in Chinese) was now the market itself. This was NOT strictly a street market. However, there were several newer residential areas in the Stanley District. Many westerners live here. The place has school, church and of course the market!
3D greeting cards
The atmosphere at Stanley market, Hong Kong was gay with people calling us to look at their wares, much like India. There were several shops selling clothes and bags and accessories and sports wear and souvenirs. Is it touristy and pricey? You bet. However, our life long training in India helped us to bargain for what we thought was the best prices (in comparison to back home prices) for some articles we bought. I guess one can do all their shopping here except electronics, if one is adept in bargaining. We especially had fun bargaining for a Disney Suitcase. The shop owner was equal to our skills but in the end he had to succumb to our combined force. 😀
There is a small plaza and small mall (very very small by HK or any standards), we did not explore this much as we had had enough of malls. A few turns this way and that way, we reached the water front lined with bars and restaurants. All crowded and filled with tourists to the brim. We spent some time in the only bar showing some Cricket. We hardly found an eating place that we liked and in the end had to settle for McD. 🙁
Tips:-
1. One needs at least half-a-day to be able to come and go as this is definitely not in the
standard tourists 3N4D map.
2. No metro but a bus will take you there. You can use your Octopus cards.
3. Bargain hard, you’ll have success. 😀
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Superb writeup. Must remember to visit .
Arvi,
Do visit it.
It is one of the markets to explore in HK.
The kettles and 3D cards look so awesome! Nice write up – looks like a nice place to visit.
Chaitali,
Thank you.
I was about to buy the tea set from here but then we had more markets to explore and thought will buy later. But trust me, you won’t get this beautiful tea sets in any other market. 🙁
Nice post, Awesome photos
Rupam,
Thank you.
Oh such a gay sight all the pictures make! I am bookmarking it for whenever that HK trip comes by 🙂
Richa,
Thank you. 🙂
nice to see the beautiful products through your post !
Mahesh,
Thank you.
The market looks like a perfect place to purchase souvenirs. Sadly we missed this on our visit to Hong Kong.
Hello there,
Kindly write your name and not your blog’s name.
I like to interact with real people. 🙂
Blog URL is coming anyway.
Pictures well support your experience…based on description a must visit place in HK.
Thank you.
Alok,
This market is very famous with tourists because it has everything besides , of course market. 🙂
nice compilation of markets… you look like quiet a shopper … 🙂
Prasad,
Not at all!
I buy only souvenirs. 🙂
I am a lover of life and colors and what better place than markets to show me this. 🙂
Bookmarking this page.Will definitely help us when we plan a trip to HK.Thanks for sharing.:)
Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga
You did the right thing. 🙂
When are you planning to go?
I am a fan of markets as well…they always make for great pictures and conversations. And some shopping too 🙂
I think you are creating a real good guide for HK here! I shall certainly use it for my travels there…
Siddhartha,
Not for pictures, I explore markets for life & colors. 🙂
Okay, I’ll give you discount on my guide. 😛
Stanley looks like a fun place to shop and window shop.
The wares look so attractive. 🙂
Yes, Divya. They are very attractive. In fact, I have dozens of more pictures. 🙂
Thank you.
I wanted to visit this market but then went to Lamma Island, as I had done too much of crockery shopping (one of my weaknesses as a shopper) in SOHO!!
Ha Ha I loved the crockery in Hong Kong, especially those lovely tea sets. 😀