The old Yau Ma Tei neighborhood in Kowloon.
This historical area, packed with stalls and little shops, is home to some interesting Neoclassical buildings.
Here in Yau Ma Tei, you can see the city’s famous night-time market in Temple Street, which owes its name to the presence of the Tin Hau Temple, made up of a number of buildings. Always very busy between 7.00 p.m. and midnight, this picturesque market offers a variety of goods at incredible prices. The area doesn’t appeal to everyone because of the prostitutes, but there’s no need to be concerned for your safety.
Equally characteristic is Shanghai Street, where you’ll find shops and craft workshops that have been doing business for over a century. There used to be many jewelers here for a reason that might seem bizarre to us today: banking crises were much more frequent in the first half of the 20th century, and many locals, rather than entrusting their earnings to the banks, preferred to buy gold, usually in the form of little rings, which they kept tied to their waists so they wouldn’t lose them or have them stolen.
This street is renowned all over Hong Kong for the variety, quality and affordable prices of kitchenware. You’ll find all types here: tableware, utensils, bamboo baskets for steaming, handmade knives, hand scales and splendid ceramics. You can find some genuine masterpieces, crafted with painstaking care by people who have been producing them with passion for generations.
There are two interesting historical buildings to see in this neighborhood: the old police station from 1922, and the Yaumati Theatre from the same period.
If you have time, I can also recommend a visit to the peculiar Hobby and Toy Museum in Shanghai Street.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: in 1974, Shanghai Street witnessed a bank robbery like something straight out of a movie. After being held captive for 18 hours, the hostages overpowered the robber, earning a place in history as the “Courageous Eleven”.
Language: English