Joanna James
The streets of Kowloon are crowded with vibrant stalls and shoppers, especially in the weekends. Here are some places you should visit for a bargain.
Traditionally known as the Fa Yuen Street, this is located at the southern end of this street, less than a ten-minute drive away from Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong and has a 200 yards long stretch that is crammed with almost any type and brand of sneakers: Converse, Vans, Nike, Adidas and so on. They are sold at a much lesser price than retail stores, but they are also genuine. Even the new releases are immediately stocked up and the older ones go at a heavily discounted price that starts at 50%!
The northern end of the street has clothing items like pants, bags, accessories and more.
Want to buy some kitchen equipment like steamer baskets, porcelain ladles, woks and chopsticks? Head over here. You will come across some shops that sell exquisitely handcrafted chipping boards that would make an ideal gift to someone back home. Walking along the street further, you will come across "shophouses" which have been there since the 1920s. These are small apartments where the tenant would usually work at while the shop would be located above them.
The clue is in the name; a street dedicated very affordable plants and blooms, filling the streets with the vibrant colours and the scent of the flowers. If you have ever wanted a bonsai, here is where you can easily get them. Christmas decorations are made available from mid-August onwards and since Autumn is around the corner, there are plenty of festival bouquets as well. Apart from flowers, you will also find plenty of silk scarves.
This is one of the most famous markets and was established in 1975. At present, it has more than 100 stores that sell many miscellaneous things. However, it is most popular for ladies' clothes and hence the name. The merchandise available is always fashion-forward and trendy. It is notoriously known for selling branded knockoffs. It is recommended that you try to fit-on whenever possible because most of the items are one-size fit all and they are made according to the Asian sizes. Also, if you are buying more than one item, do bargain! Since the stores are quite small, they do not accept any cards. Therefore, stop at an ATM before going shopping here. The market is open from 11 am till around midnight.
Located in a central area where many a budget hotel in Hong Kong are scattered, this centre is both a paradise and a nightmare to any shopper. Paradise because there are so many stalls brimming with many clothing and accessories that are calling out to you and a nightmare because getting through all the stores is worse than being in a maze! But here are a few words of comfort; most of the stores sell the same things. So, you don't necessarily have to go to every single shop!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
