5 famous night markets in the world

Night markets have been a part of Asian culture for ages, and now rest of the world is also warming up to them. These lively markets are a great place to interact with the locals. Some stay open every night, some run only on weekends, and others are seasonal. However, the one thing they all have in common, is that they all come to life only after the sun sets! All night markets take advantage of the cooler temperatures that the night brings, and are held mostly in open air. They sell anything from traditional handicrafts, locally grown fruits and vegetables, foodstuff, apparels, ornaments, artefacts, to local delicacies cooked in front of your eyes. In no particular order, we list down a few that are definitely worth a visit.

Rod Fai Market (Srinakarin Train Market), Bangkok
The Rod Fai Train Market that abruptly closed in 2013, re-surfaced on a disused spot behind the Seacon Square shopping centre on Srinakarin Road, hence it is now also referred to as ‘The Srinakarin Train Market’. Fans of vintage and kitsch will love this market which is arguably Thailand's coolest night market. It's divided into several zones. You will find more than 2,000 vendors selling everything from inexpensive street fashions to electronics, toys, home decor items, antiques, vintage wares, old memorabilia, and even classic cars. Like any good night market, there is no shortage of food and drink options. You will find every kind of Thai food here; from stir-fries loaded with seafood, Thai curries, papaya salads, spicy soups, grilled meats, meat-filled roti mataba, to rolled ice-creams and cocktails. It is open from Thursday to Sunday

Saturday Night Bazaar, Arpora, Goa
Known for its sunny beaches and sushegat (laid back) lifestyle; did you know our very own Goa is also home to a Saturday night market? Every Saturday, Ingo's Saturday Night Bazaar comes to life in Arpora (a few kilometres from Bagha and Anjuna beaches) from 6 pm onwards. With lots of things to see and do, this night market that started way back in 1999 is a perfect place for the curious traveller. It is a popular shopping place with over a hundred stalls that sell the best beach clothing, handicrafts, chunky jewellery, footwear, trinkets, leather accessories, Kashmiri carpets, souvenirs, and even spices and teas. It is not unusual for you to come across stalls run by foreigners. You will also find a lot of tattoo and piercing artists in case you are in the mood to get one. This place is not only great for shopping, but there are also party zones for revelers complete with live music, bars, and restaurants serving cuisine ranging from local Goan to exotic global. This market is open on all Saturdays from November to end of April.

Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong

As the sun sets, the area around the Tin Hua Temple starts buzzing. You will find the night air filled with aromas of local delicacies like dim sums, sea food, pot rice, noodles, roast meats, and egg tarts from the many dai pai dongs, (that is what the local food stalls are called here) that come to life. Vendors sell everything from electronics, watches, clothes, jade jewellery, traditional Chinese crockery to traditional Chinese medicine; all of which can be bought at a bargain with the right amount of negotiating. You can also get your fortune told by the many fortune-tellers at the end of Yau Ma Tei Street or enjoy the traditional Cantonese opera sung outside the Temple.

Marrakesh Night Market, Morocco
One of the most famous night markets in the world, this market on cobble stones of the Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh, is a great place to browse, socialize, and unwind. In this entertaining and energetic market, you will find snake charmers, fortune-tellers, monkey dancers, Gnawa drummers, skilled orators, street performers and musicians adding sizzle to the atmosphere. Open-air food stalls cook up sensory treats like shawarma, snail soup, grilled chicken, couscous salads, lamb-stuffed sandwiches and Moroccan burgers. You might find the locals a bit pushy and overbearing with each of them blocking your way and coaxing you to enter their stall. Beware of pickpockets as this area is always packed with people.

Luang Prabang Night Market, Laos

Considered one of the best in Asia, the Luang Prabang night market witnesses a few hundred vendors mostly from the local hill tribes, who come down every night, to sell their items such as, handicrafts, textiles, teas, traditional paintings, purses, scarves, ceramics, spices, paper lanterns, traditional embroideries of the Hmong people, and even chess games in ornamental stone. Live food stalls, also crop up in the area in case you feel hungry after all the shopping. Spanning almost a kilometre, this place is one of the country's best spots to find unique items at bargain prices. In Laos, it is very rare to find someone who will take advantage of tourists by increasing his / her prices astronomically; so be careful not to bargain too much, as most people here are very simple and poor.

Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Hong Kong Tourism by Times Internet.