KUEHMSTEDT Jaron & YIP Nga Man Semester-end Project
Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is known as Wholesale Fruit Market. The Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market, originally known as the Government Vegetables Market, was constructed in 1913. Initially, it served as a market for selling both fruits and vegetables. However, in 1965, the market underwent a significant change when all the vegetable stalls were relocated, and it transitioned into a specialized fruit wholesaling market.1Since the 1970s, the business hours of the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market have continuously evolved due to changes in packaging and transportation methods. Initially, the working hours were set from 5 am to 3 pm. However, with the passage of time, these hours have been further adjusted, and currently, the workers operate from midnight until 9 am2
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The special characteristic is that Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market remains bustling even at midnight, filled with the sounds of vehicles, cargo handling, trucks, and workers. While nighttime is typically associated with tranquility, Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is quite the opposite. It is quiet in the morning but noisy at night, filled with a group of workers diligently carrying out their tasks. In addition to the sounds of vehicles, there is the clamor of the workers handling the cargo. They work tirelessly, unloading goods from trucks and moving them into the market’s warehouse. The sounds of their footsteps and conversations echo through the night, creating a lively atmosphere. Their work is demanding, but their presence brings vibrancy and liveliness to this place. Recently, the government has initiated plans to promote nightlife and stimulate the evening market economy in order to attract tourists from other regions.3 However, people may hold differentperspectives and opinions regarding the reasons behind the vibrant atmosphere of Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market and its ability to recover despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.In the video, we captured the sounds and clamor of people during the night, indicating that if we observe closely, there are still lively places in Hong Kong after dark. These locations may thrive due to specific economic activities, cultural events, or other factors that contribute to their liveliness.