Joanna James
If you love to shop or are in dire need of some retail therapy, then Hong Kong is the place to head to. The great thing is that it has different areas each offering diverse shopping experiences catering to all budgets and interests. Here are some of the top spots to visit.
Fashionistas will have a ball at Central where they can visit the IFC mall home to designer brands the likes of Prada, Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino. You will also find a flagship Apple Store here. For more shopping fun there's The Galleria and the LANDMARK which is, in fact, four buildings linked via pedestrian bridges; highlights include a flagship store of Louis Vuitton. Those venturing along Queen's Road will find brands like Calvin Klein, Zara and Topshop, while other hotspots include Harvey Nichols, Shanghai Tang and Hollywood Road.
Those looking for great bargains can head to Mong Kok home to some of the best markets in Hong Kong. Amongst the most well-known is Ladies' Market; this one-kilometre stretch of road features more than 100 stalls selling all manner of fashion and accessories as well as souvenirs and Chinese handicrafts. If you want a new pair of kicks, head to the aptly named Sneaker Street, while Flower Market Road and the Goldfish Market offer unique experiences too. For more modern retail therapy there's the Langham Place Shopping Mall.
One of the main shopping attractions in Causeway Bay is the Times Square mega mall, around a 10-minute walk from Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong; it features about 230 shops and is where one will find flagship stores of Lane Crawford and Marks and Spencer, fashion brands like Armani Exchange, Gucci and Burberry as well as toys and electronics. Other Causeway Bay retail hubs include the Japanese-style SOGO department store, Hysan Place, an integrated shopping plaza and Jardine's Crescent, a lively market where great bargains can be found.
Those staying at luxury or budget hotels in Wan Chai can also plan to do some shopping in this area where you can find diverse items for sale. For the latest gadgets and tech products, head to the Wan Chai Computer Centre or the Oriental 188 Shopping Centre where you will find software, hardware, electronics, games and related accessories. Queen's Road East is known for its Chinese furniture shops, Spring Garden Lane for its export-quality garments and Tai Yuen Street for offering a range of classic toys.
High-end shopping awaits at Tsim Sha Tsui. The Harbour City Mall, the largest mall in Hong Kong can be found here and is home to a huge array of shops covering fashion, beauty, sports, jewellery and more. On Canton Road, you will find Asia's largest Louis Vuitton store as well as the Asia flagship store of Chanel. More luxury shopping can be enjoyed at 1881 Heritage, while iSQUARE, K11 which is a unique art mall and Nathan Road where you can find all manner of shops are worth visiting too.
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.
