Shopping
It is said Hong Kong people live for eating and shopping (and making money, of course) and it is not really an exaggeration to say that Hong Kong is really a “shopper’s paradise”. After all, the 28 million Mainland Chinese who thronged to Hong Kong in 2012 to buy everything from Louis Vuitton to Prada, from luxury watches to costume jewellery, from designer’s shoes to baby milk can’t be wrong.
From the cheapest of the cheap in many of the various markets to the most expensive bags rings, jewellery, Hong Kong delivers. Plus, there’s plenty of places to shop for expat essentials and hard-to-find items in Hong Kong.
Other than supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants or 24 hour convenience stores, most shops in Hong Kong open at around 10.00am and stay open at least until 10.00pm or longer if in the core shopping areas; in Mongkok in Kowloon and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong island it’s more like the early hours before everything finally winds down for the night (or morning as the case may be!).
Main shopping areas:
Hong Kong Island
Causeway Bay – shop with the locals in the district on Hong Kong Island which never sleeps; go into Sogo or spend an hour or more in Times Square, see World Trade Centre or Windsor House; shop for branded good of every description in Lee Gardens or Caroline Centre; inspect the external escalators in the new Hennessy Centre; or simply peruse the multitude of smaller shops along Jaffe Road or Lockhart Road or Yee Wo Street; and eat and drink to your heart’s content
Wanchai – with a number of good markets, restaurants and fancy good stores, all located close to the various Hong Kong Tramways stops along Johnston Road (which for those who are interested used to be the old waterfront in days gone by, until Hong Kong stared “growing” as a result of government land reclamation programmes). The Hong Kong Convention Centre is here in Wanchai and a number of eateries have opened in the last ten or so years to cater for hungry delegates as they go to and from their conferences.
Pacific Place, Admiralty – an integrated complex with offices, five star hotels such as The Conrad, the Shangri-La and Marriott and, yes, a major shopping centre, stocked full with brand name after brand name; three floors to be precise. In fact it’s probably easier to name those international brands that are not there, rather than list those who are!
Landmark, Central – in the lower floors of a collection of five or six office buildings owned by HK Land, one of the territories leading office owners, many of the world’s most famous brands such as Louis Vuitton, Armani, Prada, Chanel, Cartier and so on have all opened their flagship stores; not for everyone, but maybe for that gift for a special occasion… yet close by are cheaper street markets, tucked away down small alleyways and narrow streets, favoured by the locals, where all sorts of delights can be found. For something completely different, try Worldwide House, the centre of shopping for Hong Kong’s Filipino community, and just across the road from The Landmark; a place where definitely you’ll find something for everyone!
Hollywood Road – all assorts of bric-a brac, antiques and the like; tucked away just behind the main office district and a pleasant stroll up the old ladder steps
The Peak Tower – The Peak not only famous for the stunning views but the (mainly) touristy type and souvenir shops which adorn the iconic Peak Tower itself but also the large three storey shopping centre immediately next door
Stanley Market – a favoured shopping destination for tourists, locals and expats alike, with a huge variety of clothing, shoes, souvenirs etc. Only a twenty or so minute bus or car ride to the south of the island, the market is set amongst a maze of narrow lanes; enjoy a leisurely stroll amongst the goods on offer until sometimes busloads of tourists descend en-masse when it’s time to adjourn to one of the many waterfront restaurants just around the corner from the main market area.
Kowloon:
Harbour City Complex/Canton Road area – more of the same on the tip of Kowloon Peninsula; a mega shopping complex right on the edge of the waterfront, with wall to wall brand names, the favoured destination to shop for almost all of the tourists from the Mainland, plus assorted other tourists who often descend en-masse from the various cruise ships which drop anchor at the Kowloon Terminal
Then there’s The Peninsula Hotel Shopping Arcade – the “grand old dame” offers a variety of upmarket shops, and 1881 Heritage a refurbishment of one of the old Custom’s House building on the old waterfront… yes, with more shops
Last but not least, there’s Mongkok – the queen of all the shopping areas with extensive street side, shopping centre and the famous ‘’ladies market’’ areas; plus, of course, the mega shopping centre at Langham Place where one can buy food at various supermarkets and delis, sports and outdoor equipment, furniture and accessories and lots and lots of beauty and healthcare products (a business which turns over millions and millions of $ in Hong Kong!).
Oh…, and there are at least another 100 shopping centres dotted around for the resident to discover—probably one at every stop on the MTR line; and if you don’t believe us, try some of them!
