For many travelers, Hong Kong is synonymous with shopping, and for those less familiar, it only takes a short walk by any of the dozens of malls or though the bustling shopping areas to find out that the pulse of Hong Kong is consumerism. There are miles of streets lined with an assortment of high-end designer boutiques and stores, ally ways packed with makeshift stalls, and tucked away specialty markets great for souvenirs or interior design. However, with all of these options, it can be hard to know exactly where to go to have your ideal shopping experience or find exactly what you are looking for. Don’t worry here is a breakdown of Hong Kong shopping based on who you are:
You: Fun, funky, average budget, looking to fill in your wardrobe with world flavor and have anywhere from a couple hours to an afternoon for shopping.
Shop: Causeway Bay, located off the Causeway Bay MTR station. This shopping area is a great place to spend an afternoon and evening. Featuring the 16 stories of Time Square Mall, one of the most visited malls in Hong Kong, as well as the surrounding shopping area that encompasses several other malls, including Fashion Walk, this is a fun place to explore and with a wide selection of affordable Asian, European, and American labels represented, you’ll be sure to find something you’ve never seen before and won’t have a problem affording.
You: Take shopping to another level, love options when shopping, had rather spend the entire day finding exactly the right clothes or accessories than doing anything else
Shop: Harbor City, located within walking distance from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stop. This three kilometer long shopping megaplex is home to every type of store imaginable from Armani to H&M. If you can’t find what you are looking for in the endless parade of stores here, it may not exist. Easily a days worth of shopping, this mall is also a great one-stop shop for those with only a limited amount of time to go to malls.
You: Pop labels, like the finest things in life, and don’t think twice about dropping plastic for the right accessories
Shop: Central, located on both the MTR’s Hong Kong and Central stations. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more high-end label concentrated shopping experience in the world. The two giants of this district are the Landmark Mall and the IFC Mall, each of which house brands from Harvey Nichols to Armani and Cartier to Tiffany’s. Even outside of the mall, in the surrounding shopping area of Central, the stores stay catered to high-end clientele, featuring Coach and Calvin Klein.
You: Traveling with a non-shopping, significant other, or children
Shop: Harbor City is located within walking distance to the public pier, Avenue of the Stars, and the Hong Kong Museums of Art and History. These are cool, easy to visit attractions that some of your party can visit without feeling like you are missing too much. Secondly, Festival Walk, at the Kowloon Tong MTR stop, is a great place for families, having both a movie theatre and an ice rink. For shopping, this mall’s three floors of stores offer several designer brand stores and a number of Asian, European, and American brands.
You: Traveler looking for a souvenir or unique accessory to take back home
Shop: The Ladies Market near the Mong Kok MTR station. Leave the station, and follow the signs to one of the most all-encompassing street markets in Hong Kong. With stalls filled with everything from electronics to Hong Kong nick-nacks to purses and jewelry, if you are looking for something interesting and memorable, this is the place to try. You can do it all in half and hour, but set aside at least an hour to take it all in. Also, these markets are known for bargaining so don’t let the sticker price scare you off. (Tip: When bargaining, try asking ‘Final Price?’ if you really want to item but the price is still a little high.)