Allo' Expat
Expatriate Forums in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Expats Online Community Resources & Forums
By AlloExpat.com

RegisterRegister   Log inLog in  
The time now is Sat May 17, 2008 1:06 am
Recent Topics
Expatriate Forums in Hong Kong -> Hong Kong Entertainment, Dining, Shopping, Clubbing & Bars -> Shopping in Hong Kong Guide
Shopping in Hong Kong Guide Post new topic
Author Message
Sponsored Links
Hong Kong information
Guest








Home Country: countryx

PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 1:39 pm    Post subject: Shopping in Hong Kong Guide Reply with quote

Whether you are looking for brand names or hunting for bargains, shopping in Hong Kong can let you truly experience the excitement of choices and versatility. You can both enjoy shopping in air-conditioned shopping malls or strolling through local street markets.

> Admiralty > Sha Tin
> Ap Lei Chau > Stanley
> Causeway Bay > Taikoo Shing
> Central > Tsim Sha Tsui
> Hung Hom > Tsing Yi
> Kowloon Tong > Western District
> Mong Kok > Yau Ma Tei

Admiralty

You will find lots of brand names here! Pacific Place, one of the most popular shopping malls in Hong Kong, houses more than 130 outlets, and attracts thousands of visits on weekends. Besides shopping, dining and entertainment facilities are abundant here. Eateries featuring Italian, French, American and Chinese food are available.

Ap Lei Chau

There are a few warehouses offering discount furniture and clothes at Ap Lei Chau. Factory outlets of some famous brand names can also be found here.

Causeway Bay

A paradise for shoppers. Taking a stroll through the shopping malls nearby, including Times Square, Caroline Centre, World Trade Centre, The Lee Gardens, Lee Theatre Plaza, Fashion Island, Island Beverley and Causeway Plaza reveals a strong focus on local fashion and food. This is why Causeway Bay is crowded with tons of people after work and on holiday. In Square, in Windsor House, is also best known for a wide range of computer products.

Central

Houses many shining skyscrapers and marbled shopping atriums and malls. It takes you a whole day to stroll throught the Landmark, Galleria, Prince's Building, Alexandra House and the International Finance Centre in the region. Designer shops and exclusive brand names can be found in abundance here.

Hung Hom

The Whampoa is "moored" on the site of a former dry dock. This 110-metre-long boat-shaped entertainment centre houses cinemas, shops and clubs inside. Another landmark in the region is Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa which is the focal point of the adjacent, multi-towered HK$4 billion Whampoa Gardens housing development. Choi Lan's Food Court, which comprises about 10 famous restaurants in town, is also open there.

Kowloon Tong

Festival Walk was opened in 1998. It houses more than 100 retail outlets, more than 25 restaurants, an ice-skating rink and an 11-screen multiplex cinema. It's right above the Kowloon Tong MTR Station. As an interchange between Kowloon and the New Territories, it has quickly become a high-traffic shopping mall in the Kowloon Peninsula.

Mong Kok

The Ladies' Market on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, is Kowloon's most popular day-long street market in Hong Kong. The vast area is full of shops and stalls offering bargain-priced clothing, accessories and household knick-knacks.

Close to Price Edward, Mong Kok's Goldfish Market is an attraction for goldfish lovers. Nearby is one of Hong Kong's most colourful specialist street markets, the Flower Market, which offers sweet scents, exotic blossoms and fortune-bringing houseplants.

Sha Tin

One of the earliest new towns situated in central area of the New Territories. The Shatin New Town Plaza is one of the biggest shopping and entertainment complex which connects to other smaller shopping centres in the region including Shatin Centre, Shatin Plaza, Lucky Plaza, Wai Wah Centre and Hilton Plaza.

Stanley

Stanley Market is a warren of stalls, shops and restaurants. Stroll through Stanley New Street and Stanley Market Road, you will see lots of local Chinese cultural products, paintings, handicrafts, furniture, silk collectibles and pottery. A wide variety of local souvenirs are available.

Taikoo Shing

Taikoo Shing houses one of Hong Kong's biggest shopping complexes in Hong Kong, Cityplaza. There are over 150 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Cityplaza. At Cityplaza, you are sure to fulfil all your shopping needs - and have lots of fun with your friends and family. What's more, Cityplaza is located direct above Tai Koo MTR Station.

Tsim Sha Tsui

It's a place where shoppers of different style and budgets can be satisfied. Harbour City, as one of the largest shopping and entertainment complex in town, connects several shopping centres in the region. On the south, it is linked to Ocean Terminal which is a popular shopping centre with an open rooftop providing fine harbour views. A moving walkway glides northward to the China Hong Kong City, another shopping centre housed in the China Ferry Terminal complex. Further along, is Star House, where you can pick up the most up-to-date computer equipment. The terminal buildings are connected to Kowloon Park by a pedestrian bridge.

Opposite to Harbour City is Canton Road where you can find lots of designer wear.

Tsing Yi

Maritime Square features more than 200 shops, themed restaurants, a cinema and an indoor re-creation of Hong Kong's old-style markets. Its close proximity to Hong Kong International Airport makes it a great stop-off for transit passengers.

Western District

Contrary to skyscrapers and busy traffic in Central district and Causeway Bay, the Western District represents the old days of Hong Kong. West of Sheung Wan, the area is famous for its small Chinese-style shops selling dried seafood and medicinal herbs. Towards the mid-levels is an area that is best known for stalls and shops selling antiques, such as watches, old coins and stone carvings. The Cat Street bazaar today still attracts thousands of antique admirers on weekends.

Yau Ma Tei

Big shopping malls cannot be found in this region. Instead, Yau Ma Tei is famous for its street market. The night market spreads out along Temple Street. The vast area is full of shops, and stalls selling traditional Chinese antiques, jade and pirated CDs.


SHOPPING TIPS


Duty-free Prices
All goods, other than alcohol and tobacco, are tax-free. This makes Hong Kong one of the world's most attractive shopping destinations.

Compare Prices
Check different shops to compare prices of items you want to buy. Department stores and chain stores also clearly label their products. Smaller shops and street market stalls often do not mark product prices providing a great opportunity to practise your bargaining skills. You may contact the Consumer Council on +852 2929 2222 for suggested retail prices.

Know Your Product
Make sure you know what you want in terms of models, features, price, accessories and warranty such as terms and geographical coverage, especially when you buy electronic goods. When you buy Chinese medicine and dried seafood, please check the product’s unit price and the method used to measure the weight of the goods. If you have any queries about prices please contact the Consumer Council, wholesaler or agent, or visit the manufacturer's showroom for further product information.

Be Aware of Parallel Imports
Parallel imports are items brought into Hong Kong by someone other than the official import agent. While these products can be cheaper, they often offer restricted guarantees or limited after-sales service. Check the product and ask the sales staff before buying.

Avoid Bait and Switch Tactics
Some merchants display ambiguous prices or request a deposit on a product only to claim later that only an inferior or more expensive product is available. In order to avoid these bait and switch tactics, be sure to shop at outlets where product price is clearly displayed. You should also compare prices to get a better idea of the product’s price and features before purchasing it. You should also verify and understand exactly what you are buying and what the price covers. We recommend that you patronise QTS-accredited merchants only.

Inspect Your Products
Check the product before paying and make sure you have all the accessories that should be included. Check the product you have bought again before you leave the store.

Check Your Receipts
You should always get a sales receipt (street stalls sometimes do not provide them). Check to ensure that all details and verbal agreements are fully listed on the sales receipt. Make sure the product details listed match the product you have bought.

Credit Card Payments
Most Hong Kong shops [spam word detected]. Check the credit card slip before signing it and remember to take your receipt. Credit card companies and/or banks issuing the cards may charge a currency-exchange fee on overseas purchases. Please check with your credit card issuer for further details.

100% Refund Policy
All travel agent members of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, telephone: +852 2807 0707, offer a 100% refund guarantee to visitors who patronise shops in tours arranged by travel agents. You are entitled to a [spam word detected] within 14 days of purchase, provided that the goods sold are returned intact and unused. If you're not satisfied with a purchase during shopping activities arranged by your travel agent, you should first approach your guide for assistance. Don't forget to keep original copies of your sales receipts.

Disputes
If you have any problems, keep your receipts and call the Consumer Council Hotline +852 2929 2222 for assistance.

In the event of a serious dispute, call the 24-hour Hong Kong Police emergency number 999 or obtain assistance from a nearest police officer.

You can also call the HKTB multilingual Visitor Hotline +852 2508 1234 for assistance.


STREET MARKETS

Hong Kong's street markets are always full of excitement and colour.

The market stalls are where Hong Kong's dedicated shoppers hone their bargaining skills. A little Cantonese helps but sign language is universal.

Pick up a bargain or just wander among the fascinating range of wares.

Hong Kong

Stanley Market
Stanley Market is the perfect place to buy something special for friends or relatives. The historic fishing lanes are jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles and curios.

Stanley Market Road, Stanley, Hong Kong Island
9am - 6pm

Kowloon

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
The Bird Garden is the favourite gathering place for Hong Kong's songbird owners. The market provides them with all manner of creature comforts, from intricately crafted cages to nutritious grasshoppers.

Yuen Po Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
7am - 8pm


Flower Market
Hong Kong's Flower Market is a truly magical experience.
Admire in the colourful displays, the sweet scents and the exotic blossoms of many fortune-bringing houseplants.

Flower Market Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
7am - 7:30pm


Goldfish Market
Ensure you have good luck throughout the years with a goldfish bowl from Hong Kong.
Aquariums are popular in Hong Kong because of their perceived luck-bringing quality when properly positioned in the home. Mong Kok's Goldfish Market is a favourite source of supply.

Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
10am - 9pm

Ladies' Market
The Ladies' Market is Kowloon's version of Stanley Market. You can find an amazing array of bargain women's clothing and accessories.

Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
12:30pm - 10:30pm

Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street Night Market is ordered chaos in action and the perfect place to pick up a few bargains.
Temple Street is awash with rows of brightly lit stalls hawking an astonishing variety of clothing, pens, watches, CDs, cassettes, electronic gadgets, hardware and luggage. The busy food stalls offer a range of delicacies including fresh seafood and hotpot dishes to tempt your appetite. Fortune-tellers cluster at the Yau Ma Tei end of the street, and so do Chinese opera enthusiasts seeking kindred spirits for impromptu performances.

Simply absorbing the Temple Street is a memorable experience.

Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
4pm - 11pm

Jade Market
The Jade Market is a great place to spend a morning browsing and soaking up the atmosphere.
The market is a mecca for collectors from all over the world. According to Chinese belief, jade wards off evil spirits and protects travellers.

Stallholders ply their trade, displaying everything from rare and valuable jade carvings to small, inexpensive trinkets. Beware of the temptation to invest in expensive jade unless you have an expert on hand to advise.

Junction of Kansu and Battery streets, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
10am - 4pm
Back to top
Sponsored Links
   -  Page 1 of 1
 
Post new topic Reply to topic  
 
  Home Asia - Pacific Expat Forums
 
Hong Kong General Hong Kong Top News Hong Kong Immigration Hong Kong Jobs & Finance
Hong Kong Housing Hong Kong Entertainment Hong Kong Holidays Hong Kong Get Together
Wan Chai Expatriate Kowloon Expatriate Repulse Bay Expatriate Sai Kung Expatriate
 



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group
  Contact Us  
service available in Hong Kong
copyrights © AlloExpat.com | 2007 | Policy