WHERE TO GO - Hong Kong - page 64

Exploring Kowloon
KMB Bus 11 ( www.kmb.hk ) crosses Kowloon from Diamond
Hill to Kowloon MTR station. It stops at Wong Tai Sin and
Kowloon Walled City Park, and passes close to the Thai res-
taurants on the streets around Nga Tsin Wai Road.
Temple Street Night Market
Hong Kong's liveliest market is the Temple Street Night Market º [map]
(4pm-midnight), near Jordan Road. Everything is sold here, from clothing to souvenirs to
electronic goods, and bargaining is an intrinsic part of the experience. Pause to enjoy a dish
or two straight from the wok at one of the food stalls that spread out along the pavements
each night. The market runs all the way to Tin Hau Temple , where you will find fortune
tellers (some speak English) and possibly street performers singing Chinese opera (or pop
songs). The temple is one of many dedicated to Tin Hau, goddess of seafarers; it also houses
an altar to Shing Wong, the city's god.
Mong Kok
The markets are what draws most visitors to Mong Kok. The Ladies' Market ( www.ladies-
market.hk ; daily noon-10.30pm), on Tung Choi Street has stalls selling cheap T-shirts,
jeans, watches and souvenirs, plus handbags and lingerie, which seems to justify the mar-
ket's name. Between Argyle Street and Mong Kok Road, Tung Choi becomes the Goldfish
Market (daily 10am-6pm), specialising in everything needed to keep fish in aquariums.
The parallel section of Fa Yuen Street is lined with factory outlets.
Further north past Prince Edward Road West the daily Flower Market ( www.flower-
market.hk ; 7am-7pm) is a visual treat, with an array of tropical flowers including an amaz-
ing selection of orchids. At the far end you'll find the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden ¡
[map] ( www.bird-garden.hk ; daily 7am-6pm). Songbirds are highly prized by their owners,
who take them for walks, carrying the bamboo or wooden cages through the streets. The
birds entertain passers-by with a symphony of shrill arias; you will also find traditional
cages for sale.