Hong Kong’s Bird and Goldfish Markets
Street Markets are some of the most interesting destinations Hong Kong has to offer, but these markets have sub-sections that foreigners might not be familiar with. A visit to Tung Choi Street, for instance, is great for finding women’s clothing. What do you do when you want to find a new pet for the home? If you’re a Chinese citizen, you might find yourself in either the Goldfish or Bird markets, where culture and shopping co-mingle.
Hong Kong’s Goldfish Market
For various reasons, it’s quite common to find families in both Hong Kong and China who keep goldfish aquariums. Goldfish are believed to be an element of good luck, not just a nice first pet to give to children. In Hong Kong, the goldfish trade is much stronger to the point where there is an entire street dedicated to selling goldfish, and many other types prized for their beauty. Some of these fish have incredibly high price tags.
And watch your step, because it’s not uncommon to see a few amphibious reptiles hanging about. Look closely and you can find some saltwater aquarium setups complete with coral.
Hong Kong’s Bird Market
Through a traditional moon gate, you’ll find one of the more unique destinations in Hong Kong: the Bird Garden. In China, it’s common for retired men to raise birds. Part of that tradition involves taking birds for walks outdoors. They typically hang the cages from branches near friends and settle down for a game of cards, or Xianqi (Chinese Chess).
If you’re travelling with kids, be sure to purchase bird food in the form of live crickets. It makes for a fun and interesting experience, hearing the birds sing and helping to feed them.
Samuel Phineas Uphamis an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Samual Phineas Upham website or Facebook page.
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