As many, any Mainlander will tell you, “Hong Kong is a shopping paradise.” Indeed Asia’s pre-eminent retail wonderland will not disappoint. As the front window of the workshop of the world, Hong Kong’s shop shelves heave with textiles, technology and tat stacked almost as high as the skyscrapers than housing them. Whether you want the real thing or a reasonable replica, the SAR probably has it, and on sale
Some facts to remember before booking a ticket are as follows: Summer sales usually run from July to September while winter sales begin in December and run until February (though there’s always a bargain sign up somewhere, and market traders happily haggle). All goods, other than alcohol and tobacco, are tax-free, though Hong Kong being an environmentally conscious place, enforces a minimum levy of HK$0.50 for plastic shopping bags. Several name brands like Prada, Adidas, and Esprit operate factory outlet stores where you can get major discounts. And conveniently located near the airport on Lantau Island, Citygate is a veritable commune of outlet stores operating cheek-by-jowl.
The only task confronting you, then, is where to shop ‘til you drop. For a unseasoned visitor to the territory, these vast palaces of the enterprise known as Mega Malls can appear confusing, confounding and crowded. What follows then, is a brief guide to where you can find all you never knew you needed, perhaps all under one roof
Harbour City
Located on the Kowloon side in Tsim Sha Tsui, many gravitate here to photograph Hong Kong Island in all its high-rise splendor. However, reaching into the jade waters of the harbor, a stone throw from the Star Ferry terminal, is a warehouse-sized emporium dedicated to the religion of consumerism. Spread over two million square feet, with over 450 shops, 50 food & beverage outlets, two cinemas, three hotels, Harbour City is the largest mall in Hong Kong. Fashion, high-tech, leisure goods, and things for kids – this is your one stop all in one shop par excellence. Just make sure there’s plenty of money in the bank before you dare step inside.
iSquare
Also on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, this curiously cubed-shaped shopping center is another popular TST pit stop for insatiable shoppers. Situated at the intersection of Nathan Road and Peking Road, this 31-storey complex offers 56,000 square meters of retail space, with renowned brands as well as an Imax cinema and a plethora of fine-dining restaurants to check out. Highlights here include Marks & Spencer’s, HMV and Broadway, an excellent musical instrument store.
IFC Mall
Dominating the waterfront in Central, the two International Finance Towers cast their long shadows over the bulbous IFC shopping mall at their base. Apple has their flagship store here, the world’s richest brand endorsing this vast commercial emporium. It’s not as bling as you might think, however, with plenty of high-street brands to choose from including Zara, if you’re looking for more affordable things. Bookazine is also a charming bookstore with plenty of Hong Kong related texts including guides and maps to help you get around during your stay. Additionally, there is a rooftop garden where you can soak up the views while digesting a Pret a Manger baguette.
Pacific Place
Not far way, in Admiralty, Pacific Place offers shoppers great views across the harbor. The Mall is near many upmarket hotels like Shangri-La and JW Marriot giving it a bit of an upmarket feel. There are 130 outlets and three department stores within its confines. Brand names include Brooks Brothers, Shanghai Tang, and Cartier do good business though trendy brands like French Connection and Kookai can be found within the shopping center’s sanctum as well.
Times Square Shopping Mall
With a total of fourteen floors as well as two basement levels, Times Square is a uniquely designed complex filled with long escalators connecting floors that are home to 230 shops in addition to a cinema and an excellent selection of restaurants, cafes and fast food eateries. Again, it’s location, location, location that counts and Times Square is right in the middle of the action in Causeway Bay.