Shopping in Hong Kong, HK Island and Kowloon

Manic Mongkok Market, Nathan Road Golden Mile or Plush Pacific Place

Jun 20, 2009

Nathan Road Handbag Store, Hong Kong, Kate Nivison

The quality and range of Hong Kong goods is amazing, from souvenirs to bespoke suits, latest electronic wizardry, exquisite jade, china, silk, designer bags and clothes.

The label ‘Made in Hong Kong’ used to be shorthand for ‘cheap copy’. But now that this British ex-colony is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, the twist is that most manufacturing has moved to towns like Guangzhou on the Chinese mainland, leaving Hong Kong SAR as a showcase and major export route for China’s massive fashion and electronics industries. Hong Kong is now one of the world’s greatest shopping centres. Shopping has become the national sport, and is often a top priority for visitors. Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of the street markets or a stroll in the air-conditioned elegance of the malls, Hong Kong offers a mix of shopping experiences like nowhere else on the planet. Here are four of the best.

Street Markets – Stanley Market and Ladies’ Market, Mongkok

Stanley Market (south Hong Kong Island) is mainly for tourists, but makes a good introduction to Far Eastern market culture. Expect fakes, fun, fractured English, Chinese calligraphy, and maybe even a bargain in clothes, bags and anything oriental.
For the even more manic Ladies' Market, stay in Kowloon where the ship is berthed and take the MTR (red line) a few stops north to Mongkok. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the most crowded spot on earth.
For any Hong Kong Market, take small denomination notes, haggle and watch the wallet.

Hong Kong Shopping Malls, The Landmark and Pacific Place

Harbour City Centre is unmistakable along Canton Road right beside the Ocean Terminal. It’s part of a vast complex with around 800 shops. Not absolutely top end, but very convenient.
Pacific Place, Queensway, Hong Kong Island, is now considered to be the ultimate in luxury shopping – until the next one comes along. Check out the designer labels from Agnes b. and Armani all the way to Versace.
The Landmark – and it is – right in the middle of Central, with Hong Kong’s only Harvey Nichols, and most of the other names, including Louis Vuitton.

Golden Mile, Kowloon, for Hong Kong Tailoring and Silk

Hong Kong’s famous bespoke tailoring continues to flourish, with dozens of mainly Indian firms.
The hotspot is the Golden Mile - Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Sui, Kowloon, only a step from the ship.
Walk down Nathan Road and tailors’ touts will spot a newcomer in need of a made-to-measure suit or shirt in minutes – make that seconds.
For bargain silk clothes, the alleys off Nathan Road can be an adventure.

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, All Year

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, held annually in September, attracts top buyers from everywhere.
Jewellers’ outlets are found in all the big malls, extending the event into an all-year-round showcase, and featuring all well-known brands.
Some local craftsmen remain, and for something special and a few days to spare, it could be worth tracking down a workshop for a quote.
Costume jewellery fresh from the latest catwalk scene is a Hong Kong speciality.

For those more interested in electronics than fashion, the Golden Computer Arcade is heaven for geeks of all ages. It’s in Kowloon, only two stops further north from Mongkok Ladies Market on the MRT red (Tsuen Wan) line, so very convenient from the ship.

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