One of Hong Kong’s most iconic markets at Temple Street is set to get a new look for the next five months, which will span Mid-Autumn Festival to Lunar New Year. The Yau Ma Tei landmark street, which is popular as an open-air night market, will reportedly get this new look as part of the Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign to revitalise the city’s after-hours economy.
The details about the new-look Temple Street are not yet official. A press release issued by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on Monday said that, “The [Board] is engaging related trade associations and government departments to make plans for food markets and festive events to enhance the overall vibe of Temple Street. Details will be announced in due course.”
However, according to a report in the HK Standard, there are plans to put up food stalls across a 100-metre stretch of Temple Street and to decorate the area. Raymond Chan Kam-wing, chairman of the Yaumatei Temple Street Association of Hawkers and Shop Operators, also said that visitors to the night market can sample local street food as well as Southeast Asian snacks.
The measures to revamp Temple Street for the upcoming festive season come after a slump in business at the once-bustling market following the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a report released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board last month, visitors to the city are now “seeking experiences beyond shopping” and “looking for more in-depth and diversified experiences”.
Tourism authorities also plan to encourage travellers from Southeast Asia and Mainland China to visit Hong Kong, as the city saw the biggest influx of visitors from these regions over the summer — with tourist arrivals from the Philippines and Thailand reaching 90% of their pre-pandemic levels and Mainland China recovering by 70%.
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