I don’t know how it is now, but “Cat Street” (an alley in Sheung Wan near Hollywood Road) used to have a reputation as a tourist trap mainly because of the antiques shops. It is still a popular tourist destination so maybe the vendors are “nicer” now? I would say it’s worth a visit as I too, saw some interesting stuff, but be very smart if you want to make a purchase ;p, eg, I don’t think those are antiques in this photo, so, you know what I mean (wink wink)!
Sheung Wan Street sceneCat Street’s official name is Upper Lascar Row, and here’s the background of the names: “Lascars” were seamen from the East Indies who frequented the area, giving it a reputation for lawlessness and criminal behaviour. In the past it was a common joke that, if you had something stolen, you were almost certain to find it for sale back in Cat Street. In Cantonese slang thieves are called rats, and the dealers who purchase goods from the rats are cats. Thus this street is also known as “Cat Street” in Cantonese.
Link: another shot
very interesting post - definitely a lesson to learn in the streets of Hong Kong! Thanks for sharing that
October 13th, 2006, at 3:13 pm #This street seems to be a paradise for a buying addict:).
October 13th, 2006, at 4:08 pm #Seriously, you writing about a history of the name is good and really interesting. The picture starts to live with a good writing.Greetings from Finland.
Nice photo! There is a Cat Street in Harajuku, Tokyo, too.(I don’t know why it call this way.) This street is cozy but is lined with fashionable cloth shops.
October 13th, 2006, at 4:13 pm #They also say that things stolen today can be found for sale on Cat Street the very next morning
Btw, Cat Street abuts Ladder Street, my favorite street in the world. Have a nice weekend All.
October 13th, 2006, at 6:09 pm #i see so many things i would buy myself, especially those hanging beads, loverrrly…
vibrant colours and cheery in a sense.
October 13th, 2006, at 7:15 pm #it was very crowded everyday, and most people must go there when they came to shanghai.
interesting information about the name of “cat street”.
…Jing
have a nice weekend~~
October 13th, 2006, at 7:24 pm #belle photo d’une rue commerçante
October 13th, 2006, at 8:15 pm #I would love to shop there! Looks like fun.
October 13th, 2006, at 10:47 pm #nice photo there! ….very colorful
October 14th, 2006, at 2:22 am #hi lisi beautiful shots
October 14th, 2006, at 4:22 pm #on this image what surprises me is the ‘order’all these things are so at their ‘own’ place! You should see in Rome!
sorry lisi i forgot my web address!
October 14th, 2006, at 4:25 pm #Mimmu, thank you, I got the info from wiki…
Macky and Jing, maybe you’ll show us the “Cat Street” in your city some day?
Thanks everyone for the footprints!
October 14th, 2006, at 10:39 pm #