Stores, Malls or Markets in Hong Kong

Personally, I like to shop in lesser known shopping centres but its impossible not to include the mega Harbour City Shopping Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui in any Hong Kong Shopping tips simply because its MEGA! I mean HUGE. Absolutely ENORMOUS!

Harbour City is the king of shopping and entertainment complexes and probably the one shopping mall most tourists visit on a quick stop over in Hong Kong, as its located right on Victoria Harbour. As well as over 700 stores Harbour City also houses a hotel ( the Marco Polo) and the Ocean Cruise terminal, where Star cruises depart most nights for an overnight trip out into the South China Sea.

All the usual designer brands are available, many of which also have flagship stores along Canton Road as well as inside the complex. I personally find the amount of floorspace inside Harbour City daunting and although I have been there several times I dont think I have ever been in every store as you kind of give up half way through. I dont find it a relaxing shopping experience but there is certainly something for all tastes and those with money to spend.

What to buy: No special items really just all the well known and popular brands, including a large selection of designer stores. If you are looking for more reasonably priced items walk through the Gateway Arcade to Silvercord Shopping Centre on the other side of Canton Road (reviewed separately)

What to pay: Probably lots of $$$ if you spend any length of time there !!!

Crocodile is a local clothing label that has been synonomous with Hong Kong fashion for over sixty years. It originally manufactured mens shirts before expanding into womens and childrens clothing ranges. There are stores throughout Hong Kong, the majority being located in streets rather than in major shopping centres.

http://www.crocodile.com.hk/#/shops/shops_hongkong for store locations.

There is a Crocodile outlet store in Wan Chai on the corner of Wan Chai Road and Johnston Road.

K11 shopping mall is a reasonably new arrival in the frantic lower Nathan Road shopping precinct. K11 is a vertical shopping mall which is a concept used when space is at a premium. The six storeys of shopping combine high and mid range stores. I like the Miss Sixty store.

K11 is unusual in that it combines art exhibits with shops making a visit to this mall an interesting shopping experience. Make sure you check out the "toast art". Its Mona Lisa like you've never seen her before! Though I personally prefer getting out amongst the crowds, K11 would be a pleasant shopping experience for some as this mall doesnt seem to attract the the enormous crowds that you see elsewhere. At least not on the day I was there! It has a relaxed "art gallery" feel to it.

Like many Hong Kong shopping malls, K11 is attached to a hotel complex, in this case the Hyatt Regency. There are a lot of dining options inside the complex which would be convenient for hotel guests.

I read an article recently that said Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island had become the most expensive place in the world to rent retail space, pushing New York's famed Fifth Avenue into second place.

This may deter shoppers who think that bargains will disappear along with the store owners money, but I still feel that Causeway Bay is a worthwhile stop on the dedicated shoppers itinerary.

Times Square (reviewed separately) is a massive mega mall, which I always look through but rarely buy anything from. I would rather poke about in the side streets which surround it as this is where the shopping becomes decidedly more affordable.

Some of my favourite places in the Causeway Bay shopping district are Goods of Desire (reviewed separately in Shopping tips) in Leighton Road, Cath Kidson in Hysan Avenue and Island Beverley (also separately reviewed)

There is a brand new mall called Hysan Place which only opened a few months ago. I have looked through this but the layout didnt really appeal to me so I wont add this to my list of favourites.

Young fashion retailer Forever 21 opened a six storey flagship store in 2012. This is quite an amazing shop, very very busy and packed tight with hundreds of young fashion styles, shoes, jewellery and handbags. If you leave Causeway Bay MTR station via Exit F, you will come out at street level directly opposite the Forever 21 store.

What to buy: Anything your heart desires.....

What to pay: Probably a bit more because of the high rent charged.

With millions of potential customers its no surprise that every designer brand you can name has a store in Hong Kong. Many have "Flagship" stores in a central location and a few others in urban shopping centres.

Hong Kong Island has a high concentration of designer brands and the majority can be found at the prestigious Landmark building in the heart of the Central district. I've been to every major shopping mall in Hong Kong and The Landmark shopping centre, probably the largest in Central is also the most upmarket in my opinion. Sadly I'm only a window shopper but its fun to watch the rich and famous spend their money.

The Armani store is the largest in Asia. Other brands represented include Balenciaga, Burberry, Celine, Chanel, De Beers, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zega, Escadea, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Max Mara, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co, Tommy Hilfiger and Vivienne Tam.

Iconic Italian brand Gucci have recently opened their flagship store at the adjacent Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel on Queens Road. The 1000 square meter store is on two levels and stocks everything "Gucci". Harvey Nichols also have a store located here offering a large range of luxury items spread over five floors. (In late 2011 Harvey Nichols opened a flagship store in nearby Admiralty at Pacific Place)

What to buy: Special occasion one-off designer items.

NOTE: Opening hours are shorter than other shopping centres 11am to around 7 or 8pm. Probably best to check closing times with specific store.

What to pay: Lots and lots and lots and lots of $$$

This smallish 6 storey shopping centre located among the designer stores in Canton Road has an excellent food court called Food Republic on one of the lower levels and a reasonable variety of mainly fashion stores. There is a G.O.D. lifestyle store on the food court level. If you are in Harbour City you can walk through the Gateway Arcade and across Canton Road (overhead walkway) to Silvercord.

What to buy: H&M Kowloon Flagship store is located here.

What to pay: There are a couple of designer labels such as Burberry.

Apliu Street is located in the bustling local area of Sham Shui Po. The street and surrounding area is a wonderful example of how working class Hong Kong sells its wares and I always enjoy spending a few hours there. Apliu Street itself is well known for its concentration of electronic stores but as well as these Sham Shui Po has loads of interesting streets to interest computer dummies like me.

The flea market is an eclectic mixture of electronic and computer items, electrical appliances and phone accessories. At first glance most of the items for sale seem pre-loved and in some cases look broken, but amongst the "trash" there is some treasure for the IT or electronics enthusiast. I suppose the fun part is searching through the jumbled stalls and although I dont normally buy anything myself I have been told by friends that the prices are dirt cheap.

I also head to Cheung Sha Wan Road to check out the quirky street fashion stalls and shops. The prices here are absolutely rock bottom so its worthwhile searching out a bargain. This is also the wholesale haberdashery centre of Hong Kong though I understand a lot of these shops are closed on Sundays.

The wet market is a truly local experience and mid afternoon its the time to soak up the best atmosphere as this is when the locals (mostly elderly) shop and congregate.

The Golden Computer Centre is located near Sham Shui Po MTR Exit (D2) in Fuk Wa Street and is a well known place to buy the latest computer games etc. There is an amazing amount of choice so its good to know what you are looking for and how much items are worth before venturing inside.

What to buy: Cheap electronics, fashion and haberdashery.

What to pay: Not much. Prices are incredibly cheap.

The Peak Galleria is located opposite the Peak Tower and has some nice mid range shops and art galleries. The size of the Peak Galleria certainly doesnt compare with the mega malls that Hong Kong is famous for but I quite like having a quick look around whenever I am at the Peak and I have previously bought some very reasonably priced shoes and books (Dymocks)

The iconic Cafe Deco is accessed through the shopping centre. If you are travelling by bus (No 15) from Central, the Peak Bus Terminus is located under the Peak Galleria Shopping Centre. Allow up to an hour for the bus trip as traffic can be congested on the narrow roads leading up to the Peak.

What to buy: There is a G.O.D. located on the second level. I love browsing through this eclectic homeware and lifestyle store. Also good shoe shops and an excellent bookstore (Dymocks)