hong kong shopping guide

WELCOME TO HONGKONG

Oh my Buddha! That’s all I can say. In my 20-plus years of visiting this destination, I have never, I mean never, seen anything like what is going on now. Construction everywhere, talk of a united Hong Kong—Shenzhen metroplex, feng shui to the wind. I am an earth rat!
Hong Kong is the center of the universe, the diamond in the Asian crown. It was the first of the Asian markets to come back from the slump; last fall’s auctions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s Hong Kong branches set record prices for specialty sales in Asian art. Real estate is back up; the stores are cookin’. McDonald’s is expanding, and Disneyland Asia is open. More and more flights are winging into town; Kong wows visitors with its future—not to mention the fact that English is readily spoken and understood, a rarity in most of Asia. Oh wait, what’s happening over there? You say the old airport is becoming the new cruise port? That the new Western Tunnel has changed two neighborhoods to a chop suey of luxe? Oh my, but Hong Kong has come out of all of this as a star.

Christmas in Hong Kong: shopping

Even when I’m in Hong Kong in July, I start thinking about Christmas. Christmas decorations go up in Kowloon (it’s hard to spot the neon amid all the neon) in mid-November, when stores begin their Christmas promotions.
Christmas permeates the air; even street markets sell decorations—plastic wreaths, silk flowers, ornaments, and more. You’ll also be thrilled to find Victorian-style embroidered tree ornaments in stores in Hong Kong.
Among the best deals in town at this time of year is the free shipping many department stores offer. It covers shipping to the United Kingdom or to anyplace in the world, depending on the store, for purchases that cost more than a certain amount.
Better yet, Hong Kong is the perfect place to load up on inexpensive presents. What can you find at home that’s fabulous for less than $1? Not much! Go to the Jade Market and you’ll find plenty.

Here, i share to you my BEST hong kong shopping guide

HONGKONG ISLAND

1. Central
Hong Kong’s Central district houses many shimmering skyscrapers and marbled shopping atriums and malls. T he contrast between the old world markets and designer boutiques provides variety and excitement to any shopping day. Scattered among the government headquarters and financial and banking houses are a wealth of opportunities for any shopper. The Landmark, The Galleria, Prince’s Building, Alexandra House and the ifc mall are the main shopping centres, with designer shops and exclusive brand names in abundance.

2. Admiralty
Admiralty too is famous for its brand-name luxury goods. Pacific Place, one of Hong Kong’s most popular malls, is the ideal place to go in this area. You’ll find perfect gift ideas within its 130-plus outlets, including the Lane Crawford and Seibu department stores and top designer labels. Pacific Place is connected to the Admiralty MTR Station.

3. Wan Chai
Wan Chai’s streets are steeped in history and offer an amazing range of shopping. Along Queen’s Road East you can find a number of excellent rattan and Chinese furniture shops which will happily arrange to have your purchases sent home.

4. Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is known locally as “Little Japan” because of the major Japanese department stores in the area. Shops specialising in shoes, electrical appliances and fashion for young people are found in abundance. Taking a stroll through the many shopping malls, including Times Square, Caroline Centre, World Trade Centre, The Lee Gardens, Lee Theatre Plaza, Fashion Island and Island Beverley, reveals a strong focus on fashion and food. In Square, in Windsor House, is known for a wide range of computer products

5. Tai Koo Shing
Tai Koo Shing in Quarry Bay houses one of Hong Kong’s largest purpose-built shopping complexes, Cityplaza, where it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the many shops. Cityplaza is also very popular, offering an ice-skating rink and other entertainment facilities as well as an enormous range of retail shops and department stores. It is located directly above Tai Koo MTR Station

6. Stanley
Stroll through the markets at one of Hong Kong’s most famous coastal areas. Stanley Market is a warren of stalls, shops and restaurants. Historic lanes are jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese paintings, handicrafts and furniture, silk collectibles, curios and a wide variety of Hong Kong souvenirs. Open from around 10:00am to 6:00pm daily.

KOWLOON ISLAND

1. Tsim Tsa Tsui
Kowloon’s numerous department stores and shopping centres, with their up-to-the-minute fashion items, are a pleasure to roam around. The factory outlets along Granville Road are a must for bargain shoppers. The superb Harbour City is the area’s largest and most famous shopping and entertainment complex, which includes Ocean Terminal, where visiting cruise liners berth. Further along, is Star House, where it’s possible to pick up the most up-to-date computer equipment. The terminal buildings are connected to Kowloon Park by a pedestrian bridge. Canton Road, opposite Harbour City, is the perfect place to pick up designer wear. Browse through some of the superb pieces from local and international designers.

A one-block stroll away, Nathan Road’s famous “Golden Mile” bustles with shoppers day and night. It’s renowned for its dazzling array of brightly-lit, neon-decorated shops, hotels, restaurants and nightspots that flank the wide thoroughfare.

2. Mong Kok
Mong Kok is most famous for the hustle and bustle of its theme streets and fascinating street markets. For the latest audio-visual, electronic and telecommunications products, head for Sai Yeung Choi Street South, which also hosts numerous cosmetics shops and boutiques. Shantung Street and Dundas Street are famous for their trendy malls selling the latest Japanese and Western fashions and accessories.

Round the corner on Tung Choi Street is the hugely popular Ladies’ Market, where shoppers can find bargain-priced clothing, accessories and household knick-knacks. And it’s not just for the ladies’ many stalls also sell items for men and children. Another street along is “Sportswear Street” on Fa Yuen Street, where you can find trendy sportswear and sports equipment. While in the neighbourhood, also check out the colourful Goldfish Market at the northern end of the street, and the nearby Flower Market and Yuen Po Street Bird Garden.

For a more modern experience, head across Nathan Road to Mong Kok’s latest landmark, Langham Place, with its 600,000sq.ft. of air-conditioned retail space where shoppers can find everything from fashion labels to casual wear, from accessories to electronics.

3. Hung Hom
Take a stroll through Hong Kong’s inland cruise ship. The Whampoa is “moored” on the site of a former dry dock. This 110-metre-long boat-shaped entertainment centre, containing cinemas, shops and clubs – the “Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa” – is the focal point of the adjacent, multi-towered HK$4 billion Whampoa Gardens housing development.

4. Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po is renowned for its electronic gadgets. In Sham Shui Po you’ll be able to pick up virtually any computer products at a competitive price. Apliu Street, also in this area, is a market with an abundance of character. Focussed on nearly-new electronic goods, it’s a good place to soak up the Hong Kong market experience and maybe even pick up a bargain. To go there, take Exit C2 from Sham Shui Po MTR Station.

5. Kowloon Tong
Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong is one of the newest shopping malls in Hong Kong. Check out its retail outlets offering everything from home furnishings to fashion, more than 25 restaurants, an ice-skating rink and an 11-screen multiplex cinema. It’s right above the Kowloon Tong MTR Station.

Hope it can help you!

see you in Hong Kong this Cristmas..