4 Cat Street Market
Though the street is called Upper Lascar Row, it’s more commonly referred to as Cat Street amongst locals. Why this peculiar name? Well, back in the 1920s, a lot of stolen goods were believed to be sold here; in Cantonese, “rat” refers to stolen goods and its consumers are referred to as “cats.”
Don’t worry, this doesn’t happen in Hong Kong anymore! What you can find on Cat Street nowadays are shops selling jade, terracotta warrior statues, Mao statues, crystals, and precious stone bracelets. Bear in mind that other products, like wooden bowls and wooden chess pieces, are not bonafide antiques so it’s advisable to avoid spending too much money if you’re planning to be thrifty.
Things to do nearby:
Just across Upper Lascar Row lies the mystic Man Mo Temple, dedicated to literature god Man Tai and martial god Mo Tai, it is the largest Man Mo temple in Hong Kong. While photographers often shoot the beauty of this sacred site, it is advised to remain respectful and be mindful to not obstruct worshippers. Afterwards, be sure to photograph the plethora of street art and murals littered all around Sheung Wan.