Mong Kok
January 10th, 2013
Mong Kok
Mong Kok is located on the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. This District is known for its expansive markets and shopping. The Ladies Market, Located off of the D exit from the MTR, is one of the most common areas for tourists to shop and purchase souvenirs.
As a foreigner I enjoy spending time in this district because of the extreme differences in culture. Nowhere in America can I find markets such as the ones located in Mong Kok, specifically the Ladies Market. This market lines both sides of a main street, The walking space in the middle of the street is only about 5-6 feet wide. Many people, both tourists and locals, flock here to purchase goods of all kinds. This market is known for the woman merchants running the various stalls. Bargaining for a lower price is a common practice at this market and is one of my favorite activities. My preferred style of bargaining consists of using a calculator to show the price I want to pay, since language is a strong barrier in this market. The woman will laugh at the low price I want to pay, and when I start to walk away, they pull my shirt back and try to reason with me. I can usually get prices dropped anywhere from 100-200 HK dollars. Fake goods are also common at this market. Everything from fake handbags and watches, to headphones and electronics, are widely sold in many of the different stalls. The vendors will notice a tourist and call out “copy watches?” or “copy handbags for you?”. This is very appealing to many tourists because the copies are often very good, and the prices are even better. If you find yourself in Hong Kong be sure to check out Mong Kok and the Ladies Market.
