Chapter 2
Where to Shop Almost like Yin and Yang, there are two main choices of where to shop in Hong Kong - either Hong Kong Island itself or the alternative Kowloon district across the harbor. Both have their share of modern malls and both have traditional market streets for bargain hunters.
WHERE TO SHOP
2 Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise and shopping the “national pastime.” With prices that range from bargains to ultraluxury, there is something for everyone. But price does not determine quality, so it is worthwhile to know where to find what you are looking for. Basically, just step out of your door, and you’re going to find a place to shop. The array of shops is staggering – from street markets to mega-malls, outlet stores to holiday bazaars, ready-made to custommade. Whatever you want or need, you’ll find it here. Because of its free-port status, wellestablished tourism industry and heavy focus on commerce and trade, Hong Kong is well known as an excellent place for shopping. Even though it’s no longer the bargain basement it once was in years past, Hong Kong still offers very good value. Few can resist the temptation of going on a shopping spree, and indeed many tourists come here just for this purpose.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme certifies shops, restaurants, accommodation and hair salons that meet standards of superb customer service, including the aspects of clear product information and display of prices. www.discoverhongkong.com
Malls Hong Kong has been described as one gigantic bazaar. The immediate effect on newcomers is utter confusion with countless shops, arcades, street markets, boutiques, malls and supermarkets; brightly lit window displays and clusters of neon signs on storefronts and hanging over the roads. You may find this wealth and diversity of shops exciting, intriguing and perhaps a bit intimidating. But with the help of a map (or Google Maps), most find that they can manage to buy the essentials. You’ll also quickly learn which areas of Hong Kong or Kowloon are best for finding particular goods, from clothing to groceries to gifts.
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Every part of Hong Kong has shopping malls. These range from smaller plazas with shops that focus on a single product type (computers, audio-video equipment and fashion) to comprehensive mega malls that offer a wide range of shops that cater to every taste and budget. In the larger malls, you’ll find brand name goods from every corner of the world. Expect to see festive decorations adorning the outside and inside of most major malls at Christmas and Lunar New Year. Most of these larger malls have hourly as well as monthly parking. Sometimes, especially during the holidays, there are special parking discounts for shoppers who make purchases.
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22
Here are some of the large malls around the city.
Hong Kong Island Cityplaza Taikoo Shing Cityplaza, located on East Hong Kong Island in the Taikoo Shing residential district, has 170 shops, numerous restaurants, a cinema and an ice rink. The mall is conveniently accessible by MTR, bus and tram. The mall is open from 7am to midnight. www.cityplaza.com.hk
Hysan Place Hysan Place is one of the newest landmarks in Causeway Bay. The mall offers over 120 international branded shops on 17 floors of retail space. In addition, it is the first mall in Greater China to be awarded a LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating on the LEED system dedicated to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. High fashion, accessories, jewelry and premium food and wine are offered throughout Hysan Place.
Eslite, a specialized bookstore from Taiwan, opened its first retail shop in the mall and offers a large bilingual collection of books on the arts and humanities, along with a good selection of international magazines. Inside the bookstore there are two cafĂŠs and a stand offering Taiwanese tea beverages. Other stores include GAP, Links of London, Vivienne Tam and Pandora. Casual and fine dining restaurants offering all varieties of cuisines are one of the biggest draws here. From European and Asian to local specialties, this destination offers convenient and elegant culinary delights for all tastes. Hysan Place is accessible by MTR, tram, taxi and bus. www.hp.leegardens.com.hk
International Finance Centre (IFC) IFC One & Two, in the heart of Central are highly prestigious business locations and home to many international financial institutions. The towering, 88-story IFC Two is Hong Kong Island’s pre-eminent
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WHERE TO SHOP
2 landmark and an enduring symbol of the region’s robust financial vigor. IFC Two is adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Place, which offers long-stay serviced apartments. It contains an office tower, a three-level shopping mall with more than 200 high-end shops and restaurants, a five-screen cinema, a supermarket and open-air terraces with views of the harbor. The flagship Apple Store, housed on two levels is a big draw for those who want to buy the latest Mac, iPhone, iPod, iPad and all the gadgets to go with their purchase. www.ifc.com.hk
The Landmark The Landmark is the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong’s Central District. By a system of pedestrian walkways and internal links, The Landmark is connected to other retail destinations – Alexandra House, Chater House and Prince’s Building – and two five-star hotels, Mandarin Oriental and The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. The complex
offers some of the top name luxury retail brands in the world. The mall also houses some of the best restaurants in Hong Kong, including the famed 3 Michelin-Starred L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, traditional Thai restaurant Mak Mak and other dinning options. www.landmark.hk
Landmark Atrium Landmark Atrium is home to several high-end American and European fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Balenciaga, as well as Landmark Men, an area with shops especially for fashionable gents. There is also an Oliver’s Delicatessen, an international deli and supermarket stocked with quality specialty food and wine.
Landmark Alexandra Landmark Alexandra, which also includes an office tower, houses luxury brands Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry, Italian restaurant 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana as well as Ponti Wine Cellar.
Landmark Chater Landmark Chater houses luxury brands Bulgari and Giorgio Armani on the ground floor. The Armani brand also offers Armani / Prive, an exclusive nightclub and bar, Emporio Armani, Armani Junior, as well as Giorgio Armani cosmetics, and florist Armani Fiori.
Landmark Prince’s Landmark Prince’s houses top international luxury jewelry brands Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and fashion brands Chanel and Brooks Brothers. It also hosts a selection of upmarket retailers, offering a wide range of clothing and household goods. Here you can find bed and bath linens, furniture, appliances, bookshops and kitchenware.
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You will also find shops that offer antiques, art, carpets, books and stationery, as well as an Oliver’s grocery store and the hip, cool restaurant SEVVA, located on the top floor, which offers a stunning view of Hong Kong.
floors of Times Square and offers designer labels, branded cosmetics and home decor.
Lee Theatre mall has 26 floors of retail space with restaurants, fitness centers and is part of the Lee Gardens complex in Causeway Bay. Stores include international lifestyle brands and fashion stores such as Cotton On, UNIGLO, Van Cleef & Arpels and Valentino. www.leegardens.com.hk
Like its New York counterpart, Times Square is well-known for its annual New Year’s Eve countdown, with a similar event taking place on Christmas Eve in anticipation of Christmas. Throughout the year, Times Square is also home to large and colorful themed displays designed by local and international artists, providing endless photo opportunities for locals and tourists alike. The displays and the giant clock are also well-known meeting places. www.timessquare.com.hk
Pacific Place
Kowloon
Pacific Place is located in Admiralty, close to several five star hotels, office towers and Hong Kong Park. Pacific Place houses shops selling luxury brand products, designer fashion, gourmet restaurants, serviced apartments, conference facilities and a Cineplex. www.pacificplace.com.hk
APM
Lee Theatre
Stanley Plaza With beautiful beachside views, Stanley Plaza is an ideal place to relax while spending time in this seaside district. It is home to G.O.D. (Goods of Desire), a gift shop that sells items with unique Hong Kong flair. It has a small selection of casual dining options, including Stan Cafe, Starbucks and McDonald’s. On the more practical side there is also a TASTE supermarket. www.stanleyplaza.com
APM is a relatively new and large shopping mall, home to many local brands, including I.T, Bauhaus and LOG-ON, as well as some smaller boutiques selling gifts and knick-knacks by local designers. The mall has also attracted international brands including Body Shop, Victoria’s Secret, Steve Madden, Calvin Klein and H&M. Additionally, there is a large cinema, bookstore and CD shop. www.apm-millenniumcity.com
ELEMENTS ELEMENTS houses a collection of the world’s most prestigious and dynamic brands, along with a large selection of restaurants to suit all pockets. www.elementshk.com
Times Square
Harbour City / Ocean Terminal
Times Square in Causeway Bay is one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping malls. It has 12 floors of shops with department stores, boutiques, cinemas, electrical appliance stores, supermarkets and dozens of restaurants both inside and nearby. Lane Crawford occupies the ground and first
Harbour City is conveniently situated near the Star Ferry Pier and has shops, restaurants and cinemas. The mall is popular with tourists and locals alike. It has a mix of brand name luxury shops including Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo and Chanel as well as Lane Crawford. Harbour City is
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2
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2 connected to Ocean Terminal, the major cruise terminal in Hong Kong, which can accommodate several cruise vessels at the same time. The terminal provides a transit point for visitors arriving by cruise ship, as well as shopping and dining on five levels. www.harbourcity.com.hk
iSQUARE
1881 Heritage
shops, fine dining establishments, beauty care boutiques and a cinema and IMAX theater. www.isquare.hk
Originally the site of the Hong Kong Marine Police at 2 Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, 1881 Heritage now houses a shopping mall with luxury brand shops such as IWC, Jaeger-LeCoutre, Cartier and Shanghai Tang. In addition a good selection of restaurants and bars, a heritage hotel and an exhibition hall. www.1881heritage.com
Festival Walk Festival Walk, located in Kowloon Tong’s residential district, has over 217 retail shops and restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and one of Hong Kong’s largest ice rinks. The mall is conveniently accessible by MTR. www.festivalwalk.com.hk
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Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, iSQUARE is a massive shopping and entertainment complex developed by Associated International Hotels Limited. iSQUARE is home to renowned international brand fashion and jewelry
The One Hong Kong’s tallest retail complex, located at 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, The One houses retail shops, including jewelry & watches, fashion & accessories, home & lifestyle, a premium supermarket and more. www.the-one.hk
K11 Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the K11 shopping mall has more than 100 stores and over 30 restaurants. The building features a 340,000-square-foot shopping center
beneath the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. More than just a mall, K11 can be toured like a museum with exhibition windows displaying over two million dollars worth of art. www.k11concepts.com
Langham Place The Langham Place Shopping Mall is a quintessential 15-story fashion landmark in the very heart of Kowloon. Comprising an area of 600,000 square feet, the mall gathers a plethora of spending hot spots, exclusive food & beverage outlets and a cinema, with exceptionally long opening hours and direct access to the area’s one and only 5-star hotel. www.langhamplace.com.hk
MegaBox A new landmark on the retail scene, MegaBox, located in Kowloon Bay, is a large 1.1-million-square-foot shopping and entertainment complex. Popular with young people, this mall features an ice rink, cinema and karaoke booths as well as the usual retailers and eateries. www.megabox.com.hk
Mira Mall With 500,000 square feet of shopping space this mall is a must for those doing the Nathan Road walk. Shops include A/X Armani Exchange, Burton, Calvin Klein Underwear and Chow Sang Sang. Restaurants include Korean, Sushi and traditional Chinese fare. www.mira-mall.com
Telford Plaza Telford Plaza is a two-phase shopping mall located in Kowloon Bay, with six distinct boulevards, Telecom Walk, Sunshine Boulevard, Electronic Zone and Travel Expo, named after the type of goods each specializes in. www.telford-plaza.com
New Territories Citygate Out in Tung Chung, Citygate is a mall with many outlet shops and is a popular destination for shoppers interested in purchasing well-known sportswear and luxury brands for lower than the retail price. Customers come here to buy products from Adidas, Quiksilver, Nike and Puma, as well as high-end retailers Bally and local street wear brands I.T and Bauhaus. www.citygateoutlets.com.hk
New Town Plaza Located in Sha Tin, New Town Plaza is a huge (two million sq ft) shopping mall that attracts many Mainland tourists coming from the border. It is comprised of Phase I, III and HomeSquare, a mall specializing in furniture and home furnishings. New Town Plaza is home to a large number of luxury brands including Michael Kors, Coach and Tommy Hilfiger, and fast fashion chains Zara and H&M. www.newtownplaza.com.hk
PopCorn Located in Tseung Kwan O, in the New Territories, PopCorn is a relatively new mall near the MTR station and bus terminal. It is home to 150 shops and dining options including KFC, Agnes.b cafĂŠ and Crostini Bakery & Cafe. www.popcorntko.com.hk
Department Stores Many people still prefer the department store concept in order to centralize their shopping under one roof. There is something reassuring about stepping into a large store that makes the retail experience easier than a giant mall.
Chinese Arts and Crafts A subsidiary of Chinese Resources Enterprise, Chinese Arts and Crafts was established in Hong Kong in 1959.
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2
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2 It is known for its selection of Chinese handicrafts, silks and embroidery. It has four shops located in Central, Wan Chai, Admiralty and Tsim Sha Tsui. www.cachk.com
Harvey Nichols This department store got its start in 1813, when Mr Harvey opened a linen shop in London; Mr Nichols joined the store in 1820. No doubt the two gentlemen would have difficulty recognizing their namesake today, especially in this posh setting on the other side of the world. It has all the usual suspects in designer names, as well as some brands carried nowhere else in Hong Kong, giving it a leg up in the city’s very competitive fashion and accessories market. www.harveynichols.com
AEON Another Japanese department store worth checking out is AEON, which has stores located throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. You will find many traditional Japanese goods and food along with a wide selection of interesting gifts. www.aeonstores.com.hk
Lab Concept The Lab Concept offers exclusive fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands in locations throughout Hong Kong. Their primary Queensway Plaza location above the Admiralty MTR station, provides retail shops situated along an elevated walkway that connects several major buildings and malls including Lippo Centre, United Centre, Far East Financial Centre and Pacific Place Mall. The brand also has outlets in Times Square and Ocean Terminal. www.labconcepthk.com
Lane Crawford Lane Crawford specializes in luxury goods,
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offering women’s and men’s designer fashion, jewelry, shoes & accessories and cosmetics. They also offer designer home furniture and accessories. They have stores on Hong Kong Island and in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Regular customers can apply for a Platinum Privilege Card to gain exclusive benefits and access to a courtesy suite with complimentary refreshments. www.lanecrawford.com
Marks & Spencer UK department store Marks & Spencer sells a small selection of foods and wines from the UK, as well as clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. They offer larger sizes not usually found at local boutiques and clothing shops. Marks & Spencer currently has shops throughout the territory. www.marks-and-spencer.hk
Sincere Sincere was founded in 1900 and was the first Chinese-owned department store established in Hong Kong. Sincere is dedicated to providing quality merchandise with the best value to customers. It delivers a comprehensive range of merchandise, from contemporary European fashions and accessories, to electrical appliances, bedding, bath, household, sports and travel items. Sincere have stores throughout the territory. www.sincere.com.hk
stores such as Selfridges or Harrods. Huge price reductions can be found, but you will need to navigate the frenzied crowds jostling for bargains. The store also has a very popular supermarket at the Causeway Bay store. www.sogo.com.hk
Wing On Founded in 1907, Wing On was the second Chinese-owned department store set up in Hong Kong. It has shops providing household goods and appliances, bedding, furniture, toys, food and wine. www.wingonet.com
SOGO SOGO is now well established in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. SOGO’s Causeway Bay location has become a major landmark in Hong Kong’s shopping landscape, and its big annual sales are comparable to Boxing Day sales in international department
Yue Hwa Yue Hwa Chinese Products stores are located throughout Hong Kong. They offer many traditional Chinese arts and crafts, bedding and children’s clothing, Chinese herbal medicine and food. www.yuehwa.com
Street-level Clusters There are many streets, lanes and boulevards in Hong Kong with clusters of shops that are enjoyable for open-air window shopping and sightseeing. During the cool and dry weather in the fall, it is worthwhile to put on your walking shoes and find what you will in the various corners of Hong Kong. There are several of these that run between Queens Road Central and Des Veoux Road Central. In addition the back streets of Causeway Bay are worth exploring, including the street market in Jardine’s Crescent.
Fashion Walk Fashion Walk is the largest shopping plaza in Causeway Bay. It is located on Paterson, Kingston and Cleveland Streets and is close to the Hang Lung Centre. Fashion Walk has numerous shops that offer international fashion labels and home decorations. www.fashionwalk.com.hk
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2
WHERE TO SHOP
2 Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard
Watsons
Park Lane Boulevard is on one side of a prime stretch of Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Anchored by the entrance of Kowloon Park at the north and the Kowloon Mosque at the South, this tree-lined boulevard provides shoppers with shady and easy access to ground level retail shops that offer shoes, jewelry, sportswear and a range of fashion.
Watsons is primarily a pharmacy store that also sells confectionery, personal care products, greetings cards, mother & baby care products. Free delivery is available with purchases totaling a certain amount. www.watsons.com.hk
Supermarkets The major grocery store chains in Hong Kong include Park-n-Shop, Fusion, TASTE, Great, Wellcome, Market Place and city’super. All grocery stores in Hong Kong provide home delivery of non-perishable foods, and most have online grocery ordering services.
city’super city’super is a high-end grocery store that offers fresh food, gourmet items, wine and groceries from all over the world. The best produce is on offer, as well as recipes online and cooking classes. city’super stores are located throughout Hong Kong. www.citysuper.com.hk
Park-n-Shop Supermarkets in the Park-n-Shop chain, which includes mega-stores, International, TASTE, Great, and Fusion, are located in nearly every shopping mall and in most neighborhoods. The food, drinks and produce offered in Park-n-Shop’s smaller stores tend to cater primarily to the local Chinese diet, although they do offer international brands of many products. Fusion, TASTE, Great and International offer a much broader range of local and international products. www.parknshop.com
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Wellcome Wellcome is Hong Kong’s oldest grocery store chain. Other chains in the same group include Market Place by Jasons, Oliver’s and ThreeSixty (Hong Kong’s largest organic and natural food store). They also offer a broad range of local and international products, and they’re located throughout Hong Kong. www.wellcome.com.hk
Convenience Stores In Hong Kong there is no shortage of convenience stores offering drinks, snacks and sweets. Sometimes you may find several 7-11s in one neighborhood. 7-11 not only offers hot drinks and meals on the go; some stores also provide facilities for photocopying and fax services, ATM machines and top-up (add value) for the Octopus card. There are hundreds of 7-11 stores throughout Hong Kong. Less numerous, but still very convenient are the many Circle K stores and VanGO, which offer similar food, beverages and conveniences. Most convenience stores offer a bill payment service at no extra charge.
Key Streets & Markets Apart from modern shops and malls, Hong Kong still retains many traditional shopping areas. These include entire streets that house single-item shops. You’ll find a street for everything: plumbing & hardware street, lace & button street, aquarium street, flower street and dried seafood street. You name it – you’ll find a street for it!
WHERE TO SHOP
2 On Hong Kong Island Cat Street Located in the Western district of Hong Kong Island this is one of the most famous curios markets in the territory. It is also very near to Hollywood Road with its art galleries and antique shops. www.cat-street.hk
Gough Street Located close to Sheung Wan MTR this little side street has become a sweet shopping paradise with hip little boutiques selling many kinds of home comforts and furniture. Also nestled among the shops are several fashionable restaurants. The area has become known as NoHo meaning North of Hollywood Road.
“Ladder” Streets These stepped streets with sidewalk kiosks offer a range of items including sewing accessories, business cards, rubber stamps and services (e.g. key makers, shoe repair).
Li Yuen Street
Wan Chai
The major street market areas in Central are Li Yuen Street East, Li Yuen Street West and Pottinger Street.
In Wan Chai, you’ll find streets with retails shops that offer the following:
Li Yuen Street East / Li Yuen Street West “The Lanes” have inexpensive clothing, Chinese styled outfits, shoes, costume jewelry, watches and luggage.
Pottinger Street This street, which is identified by its granite stone steps, has shops that sell hair accessories, shoes and clothes. Many shops supply costumes and decorations for Halloween and Christmas.
Lockhart Road For mosaic tiles, bathroom items, building materials and wallpaper.
O’Brien Road For photographic equipment, supplies and gadgets.
Hennessy Road
Stanley Street
Computers and related products, including hardware, software, gadgets and games, as well as repair services at Wan Chai Computer Center at 130 Hennessy Road and at 298 Computer Zone, 298 Hennessy Road.
Stanley Street in Central has shops for photographic equipment.
TDC Design Gallery
Western Market Along with some souvenir shops, Western Market offers Chinese handicrafts and fabrics.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Design Gallery at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre offers some unique and creative product designs by local designers.
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2 Southside On the southern shore of the Island, Stanley Market sells all types of clothing for everyone in the family. Shops also offer souvenirs, artworks and embroidered products. Not cheap by Hong Kong standards.
Stanley Market
might say no, but often merchants will give a few incentives other than a discount for you to purchase with them.
Canton Road Connecting the districts of Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui is Canton Road. This main road is home to several large standalone shops of luxury brands including Coach, Gucci, Dior and Hermes, as well as home-grown luxury retailer Lane Crawford.
Stanley Market is a largely tourist-aimed market where one can find a wide array of things including knick-knacks, cheap toys and souvenirs, as well as some unique items (such as a sundress featuring Van Gogh’s Starry Night). It’s a place where you can easily find American and European sizes. You’ll also find a small plaza with a wellstocked supermarket. Stanley Main Street is where you’ll see the best that Stanley can offer: a great sea view, restaurants and ample people-meeting opportunities.
Best known for its garment stores and stalls this is a place to find designer brand labels at low prices. Mainly due to its outlets buying in bulk this area appeals to the fashion industry and for those looking to buy in bulk. www.cheung-sha-wan-road.hk
The Murray House
Jade Market, Yau Ma Tei
The Murray House is a colonial-style building moved from Central in 1999. It now houses upmarket restaurants catering for both tourists and local residents.
Jade Market, located under the Kansu Street flyover in Yau Ma Tei, offers a wide selection of pearls and jade items (as well as glass made to look like them). Unless you have specialist knowledge, don’t part with big money for a piece. There is also a variety of semiprecious stones. Since this is a tourist destination, be prepared to haggle. Stall owners will always start at the “tourist price.”
In Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui/ Yau Ma Tei/ Mong Kok Mong Kok Shopping Outlets Mong Kok is one of the busiest areas in Hong Kong, not only because of its dense population, but also for various mega shops and branch outlets of big chain stores, such as Broadway and Fortress for electronic products, and Mannings and Watson’s for personal care items. Mong Kok is also an ideal place to shop for cameras and the latest phones and gadgets. Many shops, such as Man Shing Photo Supplies, offer competitive prices. It is always best to compare prices at several shops before deciding on one from which to buy. Ask for discounts, specials and giveaways. They
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Cheung Sha Wan Road
Temple Street Market, Yau Ma Tei Temple Street Market opens from 6pm onwards every night and sells a variety of clothing, pens, watches, CDs, electronic gadgets, hardware and luggage. Fortunetellers cluster at the Yau Ma Tei Temple at the end of the market.
Ladies Market, Mong Kok Ladies Market on Tung Choi Street near Argyle Street sells a range of clothing and accessories. This is where you can get real bargain prices on things like T-shirts, handbags and shoes. Stalls open from lunchtime to late night. The street is also lined with cheap eateries offering local, Asian and Middle-Eastern cuisines, as well as secondhand import stores.
There are also various breeds of cats and dogs available at shops on this street. You may check if the animals are registered under a governing body, such as the Hong Kong Kennel Club or Cat Fanciers Association. Alternatively, you can adopt from local shelters such as the SPCA, which will have mixed-breed and occasionally purebreed animals available.
Factory Outlets Factory outlets that sell excess stock, overruns and quality control rejects are located in various parts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. The items have been made for export, so Western sizes are available. Some manufacturers produce designer clothing, but the labels are usually cut out.
Fa Yuen Street, Prince Edward Fa Yuen Street houses numerous shops that offer a range of clothing and other items. On both sides of the street, there are retail shops and factory outlets. In the middle of the street, which is closed off to traffic, kiosks sell everything from bags and shoes to food and housewares.
Flower Market Road, Prince Edward Flower Market Road offers every imaginable flower at wholesale prices as well as smaller potted flowering plants, succulents and cacti.
Goldfish Market, Mong Kok Located on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, Goldfish Market is the go-to place for pet shopping in Hong Kong. With shops selling all kinds of animals, such as fresh and saltwater fish, reptiles, rodents and rabbits, it’s worthwhile walking down this street just to look at the crazy menagerie of creatures on display. The area is a popular destination for the aquarium hobby. Keeping an aquarium is a popular pastime in Hong Kong.
Argyle Centre, Mong Kok A multi-level mall in the heart of Mong Kok, this pulsating and often crowded place is packed with tiny boutiques offering cheap and trendy clothing, costume jewelry and accessories. While not a factory outlet per se, the mall offers items at very low prices. Popular with teens and young people, this mall sells tights and socks in every color and pattern, as well as chic accessories.
Citygate, Lantau Island Citygate Outlets (10 minutes from the airport) offers five levels of outlet and discount shops that sell designer brands at 30 to 70 percent discounts. www.citygateoutlets.com.hk
Island Beverly Center, Causeway Bay Island Beverly Center is a multi-floor building that is a treasure trove of unique, chic fashion. Many fashion outlets as well as Korean, Japanese and local fashion stores provide hip fashions at bargain prices. It is located on Great George Street, across the street from SOGO.
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SHOPPING, FURNISHINGS AND INTERIORS WHERE TO SHOP
22 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay Causeway Bay is a very popular shopping area, with department stores, malls, small boutiques and bargain stalls. You’ll find everything, including inexpensive clothing and accessories, domestic goods and dried foods. Street stalls on Jardine’s Crescent sell a variety of items, such as ladies clothing and hair accessories. Jardine’s Bazaar, which runs parallel to Jardine’s Crescent, features some local fast food restaurants as well as some factory outlets.
Kaiser Estates, Hung Hom In Kowloon, the largest concentration of outlets is in Hung Hom in a group of warehouse buildings called Kaiser Estates (located on Man Yue Street).
Seasonal Bazaars and Fairs In the spring and fall, many private clubs and international schools hold bazaars where you can buy a fantastic range of upmarket goods, many imported specially for these events. The items range from clothing, silver tableware, wooden toys,
jewelry and cashmere, to baskets, pottery, children’s books and much more. They can be a source of useful items for back home or simply a place to buy original gifts. In addition, during the Lunar New Year Festival there are many streets with pop-up bazaars to cater for the festivities of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Around Christmas time, various organizations hold annual fairs. The American Women’s Association (AWA) Charity Bazaar and the Conrad Fair, at the Conrad Hotel, are typically held in November and early December. www.awa.org.hk; www.prestigefairs.hk
Online Shopping Online shopping in Hong Kong is slowly emerging as a way to shop. Although it is still very common and popular to go to brickand-mortar stores to make purchases, there is a rising number of people who purchase products on shopping sites such as TaoBao (http://hk.taobao.com), a Chinese eBaystyle site, which sells a range of goods, including clothing and unique homewares.
Local Shopping Shopping in Hong Kong is not a mystery, even if you are not able to speak Cantonese. Most shopkeepers have at least a rudimentary knowledge of English, and in the language of business and selling, the Chinese will find a way to communicate with you – especially if they are telling you the price. In most retail stores, you will not be able to bargain a better price than what is listed on the price tag. Although loyal clients may get privileged discounts from some retailers, for the most part, expect to pay full price unless a sale is on. In the street markets and the stalls, shopkeepers are open to some negotiation on the selling price – especially if you are interested in
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buying more than one item. Have fun and haggle a bit.
Location, Location – Look Up, Down and Around Hong Kong’s high density means that space is scarce and precious. Don’t be surprised to find retailers located in the tiniest spaces in basements, many floors up a building or squeezed in a corner somewhere. Some smaller, local shops may be impossible to find. Hong Kong’s streets do not run on a grid. Some streets and lanes are so short that they may not show up on a map. It is always best to have a phone number handy so you can call and ask for directions. Big shopping centers and malls are often strategically located next to an MTR station. Look for the signage and you should be able to find your way.
3-5% surcharge to cover the bank fee that is charged to process these payments. Some shops will not accept AMEX because of the high fee associated with the transaction. Many bank-issued credit cards will have special promotions and purchase discounts. When you are making a purchase, it is always advisable to ask the staff if any special credit card promotions are on, and then you can check to see if you can make use of it. Because of these special offers and promotions, many people have several cards issued by different banks. Checks are accepted for many payments, including utilities and rent. Many banks can help you set up autopay or Internet banking for the payment of all of your monthly expenses.
Parking and Delivery Bring Cash If you are shopping at street markets and stalls, bring cash. These small vendors will not accept credit or bank cards. Expect to pay in Hong Kong dollars for all your small purchases at the local stores and shops. Most retailers and stores will not accept foreign currency, with the exception of Yuan (RMB) by some. Checks are not a commonly accepted way to purchase, unlike in the US. Big chain convenience stores such as 711, Circle K and VanGo, as well the larger supermarkets, will take payment with the stored-value card – the Octopus. Most of these places also provide facilities to top up the Octopus.
Most large malls have hourly as well as monthly parking. Sometimes, especially during the holidays, there are special parking discounts for shoppers who make purchases. In the malls where there are grocery stores and markets, there will be areas where you can drive close to the entrance to facilitate the pickup of your purchases. Check with the store if they have this facility and the service staff to help you before you buy. Otherwise ask for delivery, which can be arranged usually for free with a minimum purchase.
Sales Tax There is no sales tax in Hong Kong. This makes shopping fairly simple. You should only pay what is on the price tag.
Payment by Credit Card / Checks / Autopay
Bring Your Own Bag
Many large retailers will accept credit cards. Some smaller retailers, and especially those selling electronics and cameras, will accept credit cards with a
To promote a greener Hong Kong, a levy of a nominal 50 cents is charged for plastic bags at shops. It is therefore advisable to bring your own bag.
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WHERE TO SHOP
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Teresa Coleman
WHERE TO SHOP
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Chinese Junk, fine print on paper. Taken from the original painting, C.1860
Peony and blossoms. Soft furnishings and bedding.
Established in 1982, Teresa Coleman Fine Arts is best known for its extensive collection of antique embroidered costumes and textiles from the Chinese Imperial court of the Qing Dynasty and earlier. Complementing the textiles are antique costume accessories, bound foot shoes, embroidered purses, hats, jewellery and hair ornaments. We also hold a fine collection of Chinese works of art made especially for export to the West during the 18th and 19th centuries; these include finely painted and carved fans, silk embroideries, lacquer boxes and paintings. Complimenting these are a selection of European maps and engravings portraying a Western view of life in China from the 17th century onwards. Building upon this stunning collection, Teresa has recently designed a range of high quality fine art prints and custom made soft furnishing.
Khagangma, meditation rug. Tibet. 19th Century
The Tibetan gallery at Teresa Coleman Fine Arts has specialised in fine antique Tibetan and Himalayan arts since 1993. Our collections include: rugs, furniture, amulet boxes, silver jewellery, thangka paintings and Buddhist bronzes. These range from beautiful everyday items to exquisite collectable and rare pieces from as early as the twelfth century.
55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 25262450/25262557 Email: tc@teresacoleman.com By appointment only
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Living in Hong Kong