Hong Kong is a shopper’s delight. From morning until late at night, the shops, malls and markets are buzzing with people. And as a major international port Hong Kong is always up to date with the latest fashions, trends and, of course, technology.
There are major shopping areas on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. The busiest areas on the island are Central, North Point, Admiralty and Causeway Bay. Central district houses many dazzling skyscrapers and plush malls, such as The Galleria, Prince’s Building, Alexandra House and the IFC mall, all crammed with designer stores and boutiques. Lane Crawford on 70 Queen’s Road, is Hong Kong’s oldest western style department stores. It’s been dubbed ‘Hong Kong Harrods’ and is well worth checking out.
Other malls on Hong Kong Island are Pacific Place in Admiralty, and the colossal Times Square building in Causeway Bay which is a state-of-the-art shopping centre. It’s well worth a visit just to see the building.
Away from the malls, Stanley Street is the place to go for a wide range of photographic equipment, while Hollywood Road is Hong Kong’s antiques and furniture row where you can pick up some wonderful Asian applied art, from old and new furniture to prints, painted screens and jewellery.
Kowloon also has excellent shopping, especially along Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare running north from the waterfront up to the New Territories. The neon lit streets are lined with stores, ranging from the famous Wing On department store, to smaller outlets and stalls selling everything from gold jewellery to electronic equipment such as MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. Kowloon is very crowded and the streets are teeming with insistent hawkers which can make shopping hard work.
Nathan Road is also one of the best places to go if you fancy getting a suit made. It’s best to visit a few tailors before you decide which one to choose, and it’s good to remember that it should realistically take three days to make. Be wary of tailors promising a 24-hour turnaround. The suit may look fine but it’ll probably fall apart!
Other roads good for shopping in Kowloon are Granville Road for its bargain clothes shops, and the huge Yue Hwa Chinese Products shopping store on the corner of Peking Road, which sells traditional items, like medicines and art and crafts, as well as cheap leather goods. Ladies Street in Mong Kok is a colourful street packed full of clothes and leather ware stores, and let’s not forget Hong Kong is full of pirated gear such as CDs and DVDs which are often sold openly in back streets such as those off Ladies Street.
Markets
If you want a real taste of Hong Kong shopping life, take a stroll around one of the bustling open-air markets. These are a total contrast to the huge malls and designer boutiques for which Hong Kong is known. It’s at these exciting and colourful markets you can try out your bargaining skills and buy that perfect traditional gift. The locals tend to only speak Cantonese so you might have to brush up on your sign language skills - all part of the fun! Here are the best:
Stanley Market
Stanley Market Road, Stanley
Open: 9am-6pm
Jam-packed full of vendors selling silk garments, Chinese artwork and other souvenirs. If shopping gets too much you can relax at one of the nearby beaches.
The Jade Market
Kansu St, Yau Ma Teil
Open 9am-6pm
Several hundred stalls selling a huge selection of jade jewellery and other jade carvings. Jade is thought by the Chinese to promote longevity.
Temple Street Night Market
Kowloon
Open 5pm-11pm
The most famous night market in Kowloon selling all kinds of knick-knacks from clothes and cheap CDs to Bruce Lee dolls! You can also have your fortune read while listening to Cantonese Opera blasting in the background. Try the tasty local food.
The Bird Market
Yuen Po Street, Off Prince Edward Road
Mong Kok
Open: 7am – 8pm.
Many locals keep birds as pets, and they buy them at the Bird Market. Located in a purpose-built Chinese garden, there are hundreds of songbirds and parakeets in exquisitely crafted cages.
BUSTLING BARS
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand
11a Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2376 0562
Aussie bar that serves up meaty dishes to a young crowd. Live traditional jazz after 9pm.
Delaney’s
B/F Mary Building
71-77 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2301 3980
Popular Irish pub with live music on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus DJ nights and quiz nights. Catch up with the latest international sport on TV screens in the bar.
Bahama Mama’s
4-5 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2368 2121
Kitschy Caribbean-themed bar with an outside terrace favoured by both locals and tourists. Drink specialties include fruit cocktails and frozen margaritas, so it’s not surprising to learn that you’ll find people dancing on the bar later on. Best keep the clients away from this one!
Dublin Jack
37-43 Cochrane Street, Central
Tel: 2543 0081
Popular Irish pub spread across three floors. Traditional dishes are served which can be washed down with a wide variety of ales and stouts.
Joe Bananas
23 Luard Street
Tel: 2529 1811
Bustling American bar with a late night disco and the occasional live music. There is a dress code - no sandals or shorts, and men must wear a shirt with a collar.
OFF THE ISLAND – BARS OF KOWLOON AND TSIM SHA TSUI
Felix Bar
The Peninsular Hotel
Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2315 3188
Designed by Philippe Starck, and famous for its glass urinals, this is one of the swankiest bars in the world, let alone Hong Kong. It offers one of the most breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, making it the perfect location to entertain clients.
Biergarten
5 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2721 2302
German watering hole with a vast selection of beers, serving up typical German cuisine such as smoked sausages with sauerkraut.
Someplace Else
Basement, Sheraton Hotel
20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2721 6151
Two-floor bar-restaurant best known for its cocktails and live jazz from the house band.
LOCAL CUISINE – CANTONESE AND CHINESE
Chee Kee Wonton
Ground Floor, 52 Russell Street, Causeway Bay
Authentic little place with Chinese prints lining the walls and antique style stools. Nothing too lavish but they do great won ton noodles.
Light Vegetarian
Ground Floor, New Lucky House
No Phone
13 Jordan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2384 2833
Cantonese and Shanghai vegetarian dishes all made from fresh veggies, tofu or gluten. You won’t be disappointed.
Fook Lam Moon
35-45 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 2866 0663
One of Hong Kong’s most famous Cantonese restaurants serving up delights such as crispy pig! Expensive but well worth it.
Tse Kee
80 & 82 Old Main Street, Aberdeen
Cheap place known for tasty noodles and excellent fish ball soup. Closes at 6pm.
Next Generation
Ground Floor, 478 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay
Tel: 2911 0119
Serving up Cantonese cuisine and specialising in shark fin dishes, a delicacy of Hong Kong.
Yung Kee
32-40 Wellington Street
Tel: 2522 1624
Huge, bright and affordable restaurant well known for its roast goose and pigeon.
Source: Flight Daily News
