HONG KONG – A revitalized night market along Hong Kong’s iconic Temple Street has drawn over 1.5 million visitors in just five months, prompting authorities to extend its run through the end of the year as part of continued efforts to boost evening spending and tourism.
The government’s Tourism Board announced Friday that it will step up food offerings and marketing for the 350-meter (1,148-foot) night bazaar in the Yau Ma Tei neighborhood. Popular Cantopop singer Wan Kwong will join the promotional campaign, which includes remaking his hit song “I Love Temple Street.”
“We hope the new phase of promotion with an extended period allows the public more business opportunities to create revenues and boost consumption,” said Dane Cheng Ting-yat, the Tourism Board’s executive director.
The “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaign launched in December aimed to revive evening economic activity after three years of COVID-19 restrictions battered the critical tourism industry. Officials initially planned a six-month run for the Temple Street market before its positive reception prompted requests to make it permanent.
The night bazaar features food stalls selling local delicacies like dim sum, beef offal stew and candied fruit skewers. It’s open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., with added decorative lanterns covering nearly the entire length between Gansu Street and Jordan Road.
Raymond Chan Kam-wing, chairman of the Yaumatei Temple Street hawker association, welcomed extending the bazaar while promising efforts to minimize disturbances, including adhering to the 11 p.m. closing time and daily cleanups.
He also hopes to create a “souvenir street” by allowing local brands like Kee Wah Bakery to wholesale products to retailers along Temple Street.
The campaign comes as the city’s tourism continues rebounding from the pandemic. Cathay Pacific Airways said it carried 1.88 million passengers in March, a 42.4% increase from a year ago, bringing this year’s first-quarter total to 5.4 million.
