Hong Kong Stanley Market ~ China Travel Pictures

Stanley Market Square ~ the tours stop here

Tour buses and city buses stop at the top of the hill where there's a car park and benches in the shade. Visitors then cross the street to take a short walk down the stairs of a small park to enter Stanley Market. The street leading off to the right (middle of photo) heads into the Stanley town area and the beach. The lane access to all the market shops is straight ahead.

Shoppers Flock to Stanley Market

As you enter the market proper, there's a wide variety of shops selling art, souvenirs, clothing, T-shirts and children and infants' wear. Look, too, for jewellery, silk scarves and ties, silk handbags and shawls. One enterprising Australian lady (who was thrilled with the inexpensive prices here) managed to try on and buy four summery rayon skirt and jacket outfits in just over half an hour. If you are not certain about any purchases (especially higher-priced items), plan to come back on your own for more leisurely shopping. Stanley Market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cashmere Sweaters, Pashminas, Silk Jackets

We all of us have our shopping magnets, those items that we simply must have. My own magnet is cashmere, usually the sweaters. This shop, one of the first you encounter near the entrance to Stanley Market, is one of my favourite. At this shop, I've purchased cashmere cardigans and pullovers for just under $25 each that have kept me warm and cheered during the long Canadian winters. I believe they are short hair cashmere, but they are very soft. Some long hair pashminas, etc. are priced at several hundred dollars each. On a trip to Thailand via Hong Kong, where I stopped over for three days, I made my way to Stanley Market. At this same 'cashmere shop', I found a reversible silk jacket for about $45. I deferred buying it until my return trip through Hong Kong three weeks later, when I would catch the flight home. I was even more determined to return to this shop when I saw that exact same jacket priced at $350 in a Bangkok boutique! Another of my Stanley Market shopping tips (for shawls) is posted at Journeywoman Girl Talk Hong Kong (Karen).

'Rainbow Painting' at Stanley Market Shop

This shop offering 'rainbow painting' using colored inks is also located on Stanley Market's main (mainly pedestrian) street. The artist makes custom art while you wait. This same shop sells 'chops' -- stone blocks with a person's unique signature carved into one end. When this carved end is pressed onto a standard ink pad, then pressed on paper, it leaves a Chinese character sign. It can also be used to empress on a drop of melted wax to 'seal' an envelope. These chops make unique, small and inexpensive souvenirs.

Medieval - style Building in Stanley , gargoyles and all

This building is located in Stanley (just down the lane leading to the right in the top photo), past the flower shop and around a gentle curve to the left. On my first trip here a half dozen years ago,

I found this style of decor so garish and such an anomaly in the usual China designs, I couldn't resist taking the photo.

The gargoyles along the roof lines was just so out of character. I recall the ground floor was given over to a bar.

The street and promenade that runs parallel along the beach is directly behind you in this view.

Redecorated Stanley building, not a gargoyle in sight!

On a later trip, I deferred shopping on the tour and planned to come back on my own. I headed down to have a look at the wonderful beachfront area, past my old 'friend', the garish gargoyle building (above). As I wandered down the well-remembered street, I had to stop to get my bearings. Where was the gargoyle building? Was I mistaken about the Stanley's street layout? It took me some moments to realize that the gargoyles were long gone, and the garish building had been redecorated and renovated, with a smart restaurant at street level. Ah Stanley, going upscale!

Stanley Beach a slice of the South China Sea

Stanley is located at the end of one of Hong Kong Island's southern peninsulas, on the South China Sea. This photo was taken facing east, from the rocky promontory leading out into the bay. The noonday sun makes it very hot, so nothing would be more than welcome than a nice swim. On a short tour, there's just not emough time. Several visitors forgo shopping and instead head out onto these rocks for a quiet break. If you've only seen Hong Kong's downtown areas, then these lovely beaches are a nice surprise.

Quiet Stanley Bay, popular condo area

From out on the rocks (above photo), the views are of this calm bay. Repulse Bay and Ocean Park, a very popular theme park with rides, attractions and cable cars, are straight ahead (west). Take the express bus #260 from Central for a fast trip to Stanley. I can't remember if the express as well as the regular bus goes over the winding hills, then past Ocean Park and the fabulous Repluse Bay area condos and beaches. It might be that the express takes a more direct route. I know if I lived in Hong Kong, I'd try to get an apartment out this way.

Stanley Market Waterfront Reclamation project

Just after I discovered the gargoyle building renovations, I turned and saw that there was no access to my favourite waterfront. Plastic fencing blocked the way and newly-laid tumble stone paved the promenade. Our guide said that Stanley Market is being extended south (to the rear) by several feet, onto newly-reclaimed land. This project is due to be completed by early 2007, though the sea walk is now open. There are many markets in Hong Kong, so don't limit yourself to Stanley. Look for the Temple Street Night Market, the Ladies Market, Jade Market, Flower Market and the Bird Market.

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