Don’t want to get caught out and waste your vacation time at Stanley Market? Spend a little time to plan your visit and see not only the Market itself but also the other attractions in the Stanley area of Hong Kong. Decide what you want to spend more time on and make sure that you get your souvenirs, your lunch and some time.

Less crowded than the Ladies Market of Mongkok or Temple Street Night Market the atmosphere is a little more relaxed and laid back in Stanley. Being away from the city and close to the beach encourages the holiday feeling as for whether you eat in the Stanley Plaza, along with the promenade at one of the many alfresco restaurants you’ll certainly feel at home.

Beyond the market and the beach and if you keep walking, you will find Stanley Plaza Square which is an open area overhung with old trees.

Go up the escolator into the Stanley Plaza itself which is a modern indoor shopping arcade and an excellent way to avoid the heat while continuing your shopping. Interior décor shops sit side-by-side with restaurants and fast food. You’ll find banks here to draw some more cash if you want to continue shopping in the market! Check out the “Lover’s Terrace” with great views over Stanley Bay, Murray House and of course in the distance Blake Pier.

Stanley has been inhabited for hundreds of years and was once a major fishing port, as a prosperous and important small town it has its share of temples which are well worth a visit. They are actively in use as places of worship so some respect should be shown, but local worshipers are very used to tourists having a look around, so there won’t be an issue if you want to take a few pictures in the temples. The bus or minibus or a taxi will stop near or on Stanley Market road and it is just a few steps downhill into the market proper. The beach, promenade, Murray House and other things you might want to see can be reached by walking through the market first. So take a quick pass through the market as far as the promenade and make your own decision as to how much time you’d like to spend on actual shopping vs sightseeing and dining.

As there are many things to see at Stanley and most of them are best enjoyed in the daytime, it is best to set off early for your day and arrive no later than mid morning. Though some shops and stalls open earlier, you won’t find everything available until that time.