Upper Lascar Row

Upper Lascar Row

Upper Lascar Row is located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, between Queen’s Road West and Hollywood Road, and is divided into Upper Lascar Row and Lower Lascar Row by Lok Ku Road. The street is also known as Cat Street because it has many shops dealing in antiques as well as numerous "stall booths." It is said that some shops sell stolen goods, commonly referred to as “rat goods,” and foreigners describe those who buy such goods as acting like cats, hence the name “Cat Street.”

In the early days of Hong Kong’s establishment as a port, many Indian sailors and soldiers liked to gather here to sell goods. At that time, locals already commonly referred to Indians as “摩罗” (Móluó), a term used for Sikhs from India, which is why the street came to be called Lascar Row. As for the English name, it is also related to Indians. “Lascar” originates from Arabic and Persian, originally referring to soldiers or guards, and later came to refer generally to sailors from Asia, especially India.

Since the 1920s and 1930s, Upper Lascar Row has been a marketplace for second-hand goods. Aside from expensive artworks, the antiques sold here also include various other items such as vintage electronics, old toys, antique postcards, and posters—making it a great spot for enthusiasts of nostalgic items. Due to its historical character, the Hong Kong Tourism Board recommends Upper Lascar Row to overseas tourists as a place to find silk fabrics, embroidery, jade, and wooden crafts. Additionally, Lascar Row has been featured in travel publications and gained international fame. As a result, it attracts many local and foreign tourists for sightseeing, shopping, and photography, as well as drawing numerous antique and art shops to set up here, creating a bustling market.

Lascar Row

Must-visit reason: One of Hong Kong’s most famous treasure-hunting streets