Hours: 9am to 6pm

You can walk for miles and never see the same shop twice. This is both a blessing and a curse as trying to find that little shop that had that one perfect item you thought you'd come back for can be IMPOSSIBLE to find again. My advice - if you like it, BUY IT!

At the top of Reclamation Street is Kowloon’s Jade indoor market. It’s open every day between 10am and 4pm, and there are hundreds of stalls in a couple of large hanger-like buildings. I have no knowledge of what makes a good Jade piece, and I was surprised at the range of colours that was available for sale. The classic green looked, on occasions, to be too green to be real, and I believe that you need to know jade before buying anything of any value here. I may be inherently suspicious, but there are no guarantees accompanying your purchases. But if you like it and the negotiated price, then the Jade Market is the right place to be. The variety of items is amazing, and generally we were able to pick up the goods and inspect them without too much hassle. On one stall, a woman showed us how to test that the jade item was real and rubbed a "look-a-like" bangle with a coin – it was marked, but the real bangle was untouched when the same process was followed.

Over the other side of the water on the south side of Hong Kong Island is the incredibly popular Stanley Market. It’s open every day (10am–6:30pm) and seems to act like a magnet for tourists. I’d recommend a trip there but strongly suggest that you can buy cheaper elsewhere. The journey there, however, is interesting in itself – a bus trip over the central hills of Hong Kong Island gives some super views, although the bus’s suspension could have been a little improved on.

The stallholders were prepared to haggle, but because they "major in tourists", were fairly inflexible with their prices. The narrow covered-in-walkway was flanked by heavily burdened semi-permanent market shops, and the number of people pressing their way round the market was immense. What was very different to other markets was that there were a large number of stalls selling pottery. We were very tempted with a pretty "lazy Susan", but in the end, we reckoned it would push us over the weight restriction on our return flight. It really felt like Stanley was aimed at tourists, and there were souvenirs aplenty.

Not far from the market are pleasant beaches and a fascinating small temple. In the temple square, local bands regularly play, and people just hung round, appreciating the atmosphere.

Each time I visit I buy the hand stitched cotton and linen sheets, tablecloths all beautifully embroidered somewhere in Hong Kong. Just as you walk into the markets you will find some antique stores tucked away down alleys and these are well worth visiting. They are treasure troves. I bought an opium pipe for a good price, some prints, embroidery and children's clothes. I got into a heated verbal argument with a store holder who wanted to sell me some 'Greg Norman' Golf shirts at an exhorbitant price...he eventually won. My business colleague speaks Mandarin and that came in really handy in getting the price down. Do not expect to find sensational fashion or designer homewares. It is more rustic than that. However, you will spend a couple of hours haggling over things you do not really want but do not mind being screwed over for a little bit of trivia. When you have finished the markets walk down to the beach to the French restaurant, take a table upstairs and you will simply adore their delightfully cooked fresh fish with a little white wine. The range of wines is improving in Hong Kong.

I first visited a "chop shop" where they make stone name stamps for imprinting your name on letters. Actually, I visited a few such stores in hopes of making a deal. I bought three for 180 Hong Kong dollars, which seems pretty good since the first place I went to asked for 170 Hong Kong dollars for just one that was considerably smaller in size. Haggling is accepted in a number of the stores just like in the street markets of Kowloon, but then a number of places in Stanley also seemed to have set prices, such as the retailer I purchased a belt from for 79 Hong Kong dollars. I guess the best tip is to key your eyes open and watch how the salesperson interacts with other customers.

The market is only slightly more diverse than the junky stores found throughout Kowloon. But the open-air narrow stalls are sort of fun to navigate, and it’s nice being near the water. After visiting the Stanley Market I walked over to the Tin Hau temple, where many locals were lighting incense and making their daily prayers. There are a number of places to grab some lunch both in and around the market. Heading home I took the #14 bus that takes a scenic route to Sai Wan Ho, passing over a large reservoir on the eastern edge of the island.

We passed one man making chops. He could make chops with your name or with your Chinese zodiac sign. It seemed like a good gift for that person who has everything. I found the best deals in a silk shop. Alli picked up a green Cheongsam, because she can fit into anything. I purchased three silk robes for $10 each. Other items of note were jade and bone carvings, Chinese porcelain, and souvenirs. In one large souvenir shop, we found very inexpensive silk sheets. Unfortunately, they do not exactly fit a standard size queen.

Once you've had enough of shopping there is the nearby Tin Hau Temple where locals were praying and lighting incense.

There are also several pubs on the beach front, pleasant places to have a drink away from the noise of the city before catching the bus back. There are several buses back so be sure your's goes to where you want to be. Occasionally the drivers will refuse to speak English, fortunately I was rescued by a local lady who translated for me and the driver finally notified me in English of my stop! For time away from the pollution and noise of the city this is a great place to go.

The streets of Stanley Market contain many stalls selling various wares and this market is a bargain shoppers paradise. Some items are unique and some are just sold at lower prices than found outside the city. My friend snatched up a few Pashmina scarves knowing they were being sold at a fraction of the price found in U.S. department stores. Clothing made of assorted silks, wools and cottons are sold in abundance. Another hot item are purses and at one stall, I secured 2 of them along with a set of coasters for $30. Interesting toys and musical instruments are for sale.

There is also opportunity to quench your hunger and thirst and an iced cappuccino gave me the energy to continue my bargaining in the Stanley Market for several hours.