Cat Street Market

After way too many bad experiences with the Jade Market in Kowloon, I set out to track down where the locals go to buy jade and small antiques.

So after way too much time on Google and talking to several local friends, I was told that Cat Street Market was the place to go, and rather than expecting it to be located in Cat Street, it's actually in Upper Lascar Row in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island.

From checking Google Maps, it seems this place was well out of the way and up some steep steps in an area of Hong Kong Island that I do not know that well, so GPS time.

As far as I can tell, the closest MTR station is Sheung Wan, so after fuelling up on breakfast, making sure I have the water bottle and given the threatening look of the sky, the umbrella. It's MTR time.

Heading out of the station, as expected, the signage was minimal, just the odd sign talking about Cat Street and pointing in what looked like a random direction. Oh, well, not unexpected, and I do have the GPS speaking directions in my ear.

From my research, I was expecting the walk from the MTR to be interesting, with way too many steps, busy roads to survive and, given the rain that was falling, wet. ☔

Without the GPS, I would have been able to find Cat Street, but it would have taken way longer, involved more steps and hills.

The GPS is essential for getting around these days. 🛰️

History Behind the "Cat Street" Name top

Ok, before moving on, I was curious about why the market is called Cat Street and not Upper Lascar Row. After researching, I found the following after way too much googling.

Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, was nicknamed Cat Street because the wares on offer included smuggled/stolen goods, known as 'rat goods'; hence, the buyers were 'cats'. Today, shops and stalls in the street sell antiques and curios.

Exploring Stalls, Shops, and Curios top

After arriving at the markets, I can say the walk was not even close to as bad as expected; yes, there were hills, steps and busy roads, but none too bad. In other words, do not let the walk put you off visiting the markets.

My first impressions of the markets were positive, the opposite of the nightmare experiences of the Jade Markets. The first stall I checked out had a good selection of wares, and the stallholder said hello, with no signs of the pushy antics common in the Jade Markets.

Wandering around and checking out what's on offer, I did notice something: the quality so far looks better than what's on offer at the Jade Market.

Add to that the lack of pushy salespersons, and things are looking good.

Given the time of day, it was mid-morning, and with the rain, not all of the markets were open yet, not that I would let that stop me.

Now, while there are quite a few stalls, that's not the only place to buy from; there are a number of shops that looked interesting, and best of all, some were actually open.

The shop in the above shot is a good example, and while it claimed to be an "Antique Clock" shop, do not let that put you off. I went in, and they had a few small bronze castings that made good additions to my collections.

The shop staff was friendly, so after the usual haggling, a price for the castings was agreed, and they made it into my collection. And yes, the staff were happy for me to take the photo.

Yes, I headed for these markets looking for Jade and ended up with several bronze castings. No, it is not a mistake, as I collect things I like, which include Jade, Brass/Bronze castings, some copper items, carvings and even original paintings. And no, not antiques, as I said, I collect things I like, and yes, I am fully aware that most of my collection is not old, not that I care, they are what I like, which is the important thing.

Final Thoughts & Verdict top

Now, what do I think of these markets? Well, given what I have seen in this and one other visit, I would recommend it over the Jade Markets. The quality seems to be better, and the total lack of pushy sales tactics is like a breath of fresh air.

I will be visiting again, but for today, I have a lot more planned, so it's time to head out and see more of this part of Hong Kong Island, then it's lunch with a friend.