Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market- A Pre-Dawn Excursion in Hong Kong

Walking down a Hong Kong street at night is enough to send travellers into a sensory overload. The neon signs glare vibrantly, the night air buzzes with noise and the city itself pulses with a cool, restrained energy. Stop by a road side vendor for some warm chow, bargain for some souvenirs or simply walk around and absorb the delightful drama that unfolds on the busy streets of Hong Kong.

As the city winds down for the night, visitors will still be able to find shops and road side stalls that are still open. Some of them, like the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, only open after midnight. The market is located in the Kowloon region, between Ferry Street, Reclamation Street and Waterloo Road. Travelling through this area becomes next to impossible once the market opens, as most of the road is taken up by the stalls. Since it is a wholesale market, most of the people who frequent the place are retailers.

Tourists can find almost any kind of fruit here, imported from all parts of the world. Just like any other shop in Hong Kong, a certain amount of bargaining is expected. The busiest hours are between 4 am and 6 am, with everything being cleared by 7 am to make room for traffic. The market has been classified as a Grade III Historic Building, and there have been plans to relocate it to another area. While the idea is not popular with the 230 odd vendors who make a living here, there is a possibility of the government going ahead with it. So if you happen to be in Hong Kong, make sure you don’t miss this amazing early morning adventure.

If you’re looking for a Hotel in Hong Kong, try Hotels in Kowloon. The hotels give travellers easy access to the fruit market as well as other sights in Hong Kong. The Eaton Smart, Hong Kong is ideally located in the city centre amidst its major business and shopping districts. With the Jordan MTR station only a short walk away, the hotel presents guests endless opportunities for adventure.

Leave a Reply