PMQ stands for Police Married Quarters so it's not the literal translation of 元創方(the Chinese name of the site). It's one of the projects being preserved and revamped as a platform for Hong Kong's creative industries with the support of a few organisations. Right now, it has opened only for 1 month and some shops are still work-in-progress.
There're 2 ways to go to PMQ, Central and Sheung Wan. I highly recommend go up there from Central, taking the escalators since it takes quite awhile to "climb the hill". However, do keep looking for the street signs (which is not clear) and ask. Otherwise, you don't know where to stop and leave the escalators. Stop taking escalators when you arrive Staunton Street. Turn right and go straight then you'll find PMQ in less than 5 minutes. If you're in a hurry, go up from Sheung Wan works too but you need to "climb" a lot. To go downhill, exit from the main entrance and just keep going down as the escalators only go upwards. It will lead you to Sheung Wan.
I went there on a Saturday evening, around 6:30 p.m. When the moon comes out, more people come and visit the place. I entered PMQ from the back entrance. Basically, there are two blocks of buildings with the green trees and bamboo-filled plateau, connecting 2 blocks together.
The Night Market only opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. The opening time and closing time varies each day so make sure you check the PMQ website (Link below) before going there. There're stalls selling dainty accessories, clothes, beer, coconut water, ham, foie gras, popsicles and so on so forth. There are a few standing tables and some tables with seats on the ground floor when you need to sit and enjoy your food. There is live band performance every night too. The atmosphere that the Night Market creates is quite relaxing.
Top Center: Fried Fish Taco
Bottom Left: Cheese Nachos
Bottom Right: Pork Taco
(HK$40 each)
I ordered these Mexican food from a stall called iCaramba! I tried the pork one, which is a little bit spicy, sour and sweet. I thought my stomach would still be "empty" but maybe because of the hot weather and the pork, surprisingly, I didn't feel hungry afterwards.
No no for the nachos. They are basically some nachos mixing with those canned cheese sauce with some spring onions. It clearly doesn't worth $40 since there're no real cheese, no ham, whatsoever.
Here's me standing before a huge graffiti.
Currently, there's an exhibition, Le French May Andrée Putman, the Ambassador of Style, showcasing more than 200 pieces of art and objects. One friendly reminder here, the lowest room temperature of the whole PMQ is the exhibition hall so if you feel hot, go there and enjoy yourself.
The galleries, working studios and stores mainly sell paintings, home ware, stationary, books, jewellery, couture (night gowns), fashion clothing. In other words, you can imagine yourself walking in the local version of Lane Crawford/Harvey Nichols . They mainly target at the mid and high-income consumers. I do find some cute stuff there but you know, with such a limited space in my room, stacked with books and random stuff, there's no place for new addition.
Wear sneakers or flats, since you probably need to walk a lot of stairs although there're lifts. There's no air-conditioning in the hallway but only in the shops. There're randomly some benches and seats for those wiggling legs. No water dispensers or vending machines provided so bring your own water bottle or buy some drinks on your way to PMQ. The drinks at the night market are quite pricey. Toilets are clearly signed and placed on each floor.
A picnic on the grass is also a nice alternatives but I'm afraid those sneaky insects bite me so... bring a mat that allow you to sit comfortably.
Various events and workshops will be hosted occasionally. Guided tours are also available.
After all, I'm tired and hot because of the weather and the endless stairs but it's such a nice place to promote local designers and brands, except that... Without the G.O.D., Bread and Butter, PMQ can still thrive.
For more details, visit:
PMQ 元創方
Dream Big.
Love,
Amanda <3
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