Where to go Shopping in Hong Kong
When it comes to shopping, Hong Kong has to be one of premier destinations in the world. From luxury malls to street markets, there’s something here to suit everyone’s tastes. But with so much shopping to choose from, how on earth can you pick where to go to first?
Well, never fear, because below we’ve detailed what we think is the definitive guide to shopping in Hong Kong.
Where are the Main Shopping Areas?
Well, not only do we need to break down the different places to go shopping, but we also need to break these down by area. There are 3 main areas to consider:
- Hong Kong Island
- Kowloon
- The New Territories
Hong Kong Island
Here, some of the main shopping areas are located in Admiralty, Central and Soho. This is the place for glittering skyscrapers and some of the most luxurious shopping malls you can imagine.
Malls not to miss in Admiralty and Central include the glitzy Pacific Place and the various different Landmark Malls, all of which are connected by covered walkways (perfect in the hot season as they’re all air conditioned. Designer labels abound in all of the malls. For those looking for bargains, then the summer months is when you’ll find many stores offering sales.
Moving to Soho, the shops become more boutiques. From chic clothing to art galleries, interspersed with some of the most delightful restaurants on the planet, this is a place to get lost in the shopping vibe.
However, be sure to check out the side streets in all areas of Hong Kong Island, because here is where you might stumble across some amazing treasures.
Down every alley there will be stalls, and people selling pretty much anything you care to think of from the tiniest of workspaces. This can include sheds, huts, market stalls and even barrows. You simply never know what you might come across.
Other shopping areas on Hong Kong Island include the following:
Causeway Bay – considered to be shopping heaven by many (and one of the most expensive places in the world to shop), this is a place you’re going to need to dedicate a decent amount of time in which to do the shops justice.
Sheun Wan – Here you can step back in time to the old neighborhood of Hong Kong and experience browsing though eclectic shops and some pretty cool mar Be sure to experience the Chinese medicine mecca of Koh Shing Street, and don’t fail to visit Cat Street for some of the most amazing curios, antiques and hidden gems.
Stanley – Handicrafts, clothing, accessories, this is one of the favorite shopping areas for many on Hong Kong Island. Add to this the fact that there is some pretty cool restaurants and cafes for when you need sustenance, and this is definitely one place you don’t want to miss. From Chinese costume jewelry to sportswear, silk delights and fab souvenirs – it’s all here at Stanley.
Wan Chai – Furniture rubs shoulders with technology here, as well as a great place to pick up toys for the kids (and big kids!) The bargain hunters should make sure they check out Spring Garden Lane for discount clothing that was originally meant for export – this means there’s some great items on offer at knock-down prices.
Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui – perhaps one of Hong Kong’s most visited shopping districts, this is where sparkling mall meets street stall central… From Asian designer labels to world famous brands, this is often one of the shopping areas that many visit first on arrival to Hong Kong.
Yau Ma Tei – This is ‘the’ place to come for those who love street markets. Home to the world famous Temple Street night market, as well as amazing jewelry stores and clothes shops.
Mong Kok – If you want bargain clothing, then be sure to visit Ladies Market. And despite the name, there’s also plenty for sale here for the guys as well. The goldfish market is truly interesting, selling exactly what its name suggests.
Sham Shui Po – This is electric gadget heaven, and will delight the techies amongst you. Apliu Street is a market that specializes in selling refurbished technology and nearly new, so a place you might well pick up a true bargain.
The New Territories
Tsang Yi – Close to the International airport, Tsang Yi boasts over 200 shops in Maritime Square, as well as lots of nice places to eat. This is a good stop off if you have a few hours to kill before checking in for your flight.
Lantau Island – This might be somewhere many might think of as a day trip to visit the amazing beaches and fishing villages on offer (not to mention the pretty cool Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride over to the island). But there’s some extremely fine shopping to be had here as well. Before heading over, be sure to pop into Citygate Outlets, Hong Kong’s largest outlet mall. Then you can take the few minute walk to the cable car to chill out on the wonder of Lantau.
Lantau Island itself offers a more traditional means of shopping. Here you can enjoy fishermen selling their wares, local artisans selling unique souvenirs and other interesting items being sold from what is sometimes the most unlikely of places.
Tai O – The main village most visit, and it’s still a traditional place where people make their living in a way that’s been unchanged over the centuries. Here, your shopping can take on a more laid back vibe, as you walk between the stilt houses and simply soak up the atmosphere.
It’s the perfect antidote to a day’s shopping spent in the hustle and bustle of either Central or Kowloon.
It never seems to matter how much time you have to spend in Hong Kong – you’re never going to be able to visit all the amazing shops, malls and street markets. So that only means one thing… you’ll simply need to book to come back. After all, who needs an excuse to do some more shopping?