Western Market, Hong Kong

Western Market began taking shape in the mid-19th century, when Hong Kong’s rapidly growing port created an urgent need for organized marketplaces to supply residents and sailors. In 1844, the government established the original Western Market on two separate blocks in Sheung Wan district, forming one of the colony’s earliest public trading hubs. These lively market grounds served generations of vendors and shoppers and laid the foundation for the historic building that survives today.

The only remaining structure — the North Block, completed in 1906 — is now the oldest surviving market building in the city. Built in the Queen Anne Revival style, it stands out with its deep red brick facade, granite trim, arched windows and decorative gables. Though the Upper Block was demolished in the 1980s, the North Block was saved from the same fate when it was declared a historic monument in 1990, preserving a tangible piece of early Hong Kong commerce.

Inside, Western Market has shifted from its origins as a food market to a compact, easy-to-navigate specialty space. Enter from Des Voeux Road Central and you’ll arrive on the ground floor, where curio shops, handicrafts, and small cafes line the main corridor. To visit the fabric bazaar, head to the staircase on the right and go up to the first floor. Here, textile stalls display silk, lace, embroidered fabrics, and tailor-ready materials. Continue up the same staircase to the second floor to reach the former ballroom, now used for exhibitions and community events.