Elia Mertz
As one of Asia's favourite shopping heartlands, Hong Kong is home to some of the region's finest retail hubs. From shopping districts to local thoroughfares, here are the country's top retail hotspots.
Home to some of Hong Kong's most popular department stores and largest shopping malls, Central is a hub for brand conscious shoppers and high end goods. Lined with trendy boutiques and sky piercing malls, some of the must-visit shopping hotspots in Central include The Galleria Square where Italian fashion labels are found while The Pacific Place Mall is where Hong Kong's Tiffany, Chanel and Levis outlets are located. The three floored Landmark Square is another shopping icon in Central where signature stores for Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Esprit occupy shop space.
As the most expansive department store complex in all of Hong Kong, Harbour City is a mammoth shopping compound which extends from Kowloon's Canton Road to China Hong Kong City. Divided into hospitality giants and shopping centres some of the must-shop boutiques located in Harbour City includes Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Prada while Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Salvatore Ferragamo are other leading fashion brands available in this mega mall.
Boasting the latest closing times in all of Hong Kong, the shopping venues down Causeway Bay are the country's most popular night time retail centres. Housing such renowned shopping precincts the likes of Times Square and Windsor Plaza the area is littered with malls the likes of Mitsukoshi Shopping Mall, Fashion Island, Hang Lung Centre, Causeway Bay Plaza, Lee Gardens and the Island Beverly Centre. The World Trade Centre is also located in this area where the Jumbo Sogo shopping complex is also found.
Luxury shoppers must head down to this glittering area of Hong Kong where the famous Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard is located as Tsim Sha Tsui offers true blue fashionistas a mindboggling array of clothing and lifestyle stores in one of the city's trendiest zip codes. In addition to Hong Kong's only Toys "R" Us outlet the shopping venues in Tsim Sha Tsui are not only for big spenders as the Ming Chueng Shop is renowned for retailing brands the likes of Crocodile, Esprit, U2, and Episode at bargain rates.
Bargain hunters and shopaholics alike will find their fair share of street markets in Hong Kong. Retailing everything under the sun at unbelievable rates, each of the country's street markets has their own unique identity and atmosphere. The Ladies' Market down Tung Choi Street is a veritable treasure trove for women's clothing, cosmetics and sportswear while the Stanley Market is littered with stalls selling silks, artwork and plus size clothing. The Temple Street Night Market is not only a fantastic place for local dining but also picking up trinkets, clothes, DVDs, luggage and time pieces. Visitors based in Hong Kong hotel rooms in the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong and other conveniently located rests will have easy access to these markets and others in the city.
Occupying pride of place in the junction between Kowloon's Battery streets and Kansu, the Jade Market is another must-experience highlight for tourists exploring Hong Kong's best shopper's markets. Revered as the most reliable venue to purchase precious jade creations this local market lined with jade ware stalls is also a great place to spend an afternoon looking for treasures.
