Posted 10 March 2023 in Shopping Delight

5 most popular places to shop in Hong Kong

Located on the River Pearl, south of Guangdong, the city of Hong Kong is surrounded by the South China Sea. With Hong Kong literally translating to ‘fragrant harbour,’ the name is a nod to the ancient profession of exporting fragrant incense from the city. Regarded as one of the world’s biggest cosmopolitan centres, the city is a perfect example of east meeting the west.

Hong Kong has become one of the world’s major financial and manufacturing areas. With a population of over 7 million, it is one of the most popular cities for tourists to visit. And, the fantastic shopping opportunities in the city is one of the main reasons for its popularity. Often labelled as a shopper’s paradise, Hong Kong not only has luxury and designer labels but also affordable fashion and innumerable local stalls selling fantastic products at great deals. One of the must-do things during a visit to the city is exploring the shopping culture that lends an unforgettable experience.

There are many places to shop in Hong Kong and we have compiled a comprehensive list to get you started on a shopping spree. Doesn’t matter if you are there to upgrade your wardrobe, buy designer items at great prices, or shop for Chinese artwork and silk products, Hong Kong is the place to be at.

Also, you can get the amount spent on tax back from the Hong Kong Airport, if you show your passport during the purchase at shopping malls. Read on to learn more about the best places to shop in Hong Kong.

1. Temple Street Night Market

One of the largest and brightest shopping places in Hong Kong, Temple Street Night Market is like a carnival and starts every evening at 6:00 p.m. Located in Kowloon, the market is 300 metres from Jordan MTR Station.

The market is the best place to shop for affordable yet fashionable clothes, watches, household items, sports and other footwear, and first copy of designer clothing and accessories. You can also taste local delicacies at open-air street food stalls.

As Temple Street is popular among tourists, shopkeepers quote much higher rates than the actual prices. You must remember to bargain while shopping here.

Timings: Open all days of the week from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

2. Landmark Hong Kong

Landmark Hong Kong is one of the city’s most popular shopping malls, spread over four buildings and housing over 200 international brands. This busy shopping centre is close to many landmarks like Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Exchange Square.

Notably, Landmark Hong Kong is famous for its huge collection of high-end boutiques and there are flagship stores of brands like Louis Vuitton, Chopard, Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Hermes, Dior, and Prada, to name a few. The mall also has a selection of children’s designer wear like Nicholas and Bears, and a departmental store by the famous Harvey Nichols of London. For lovers of jewellery and watches, Bulgari, De Beers, and Tiffany & Co. have shops in the mall.

Landmark Hong Kong should be visited, if not to shop, then to grab a meal at the trendy cafés or the fine dining restaurants. The French restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, has an outlet in the mall and serves scrumptious food, as is indicated by its Michelin Stars.

Location: The Landmark Hong Kong mall is located on Queen’s Road, central Hong Kong.
Timings: The mall is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

3. Ladies Market Hong Kong

One of the more popular places to shop for affordable fashion, Ladies Market Hong Kong has shops selling clothes, shoes, jewellery, and bags. The market is an open-air market offering a unique shopping experience to visitors. Be prepared to bargain excessively as the starting prices quoted are extremely inflated. It has many local coffee shops, bars, and street stalls selling local delicacies like curry fish balls, deep-fried squids and wonton noodles.

Close to Mong Kok MTR Station, the market has shops selling fake designer goods, and further inside, there are nurseries and homeware. Don’t get fooled by the name, Ladies Market has many options for men and children like apparel, shoes, bags and fashion accessories. Also, many typical Chinese snacks and tea are available here.

Opening at midday, the market gets lively towards mid-evenings. During weekends, even locals frequent the market and it gets very crowded. Tourists are advised to reach early to have a great shopping experience.

Location: The market is located in Mong Kok.
Timings: The market is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

4. Jade Market

A jewellery store in Kowloon, Jade Market is a shopping street that is about 450 metres from Yau Ma Tei MTR Station. With hundreds of jewellers selling pearls, jade, and precious stones, this market usually stocks semi-precious stones and mid-range jewels. For tourists looking to buy high-end jade items, there is a full street of permanent shops near it.

The sellers are trustworthy and usually sell items that they claim. Believed to bring good luck to the owner, jade is a popular stone in Hong Kong. You will often see locals wearing bangles, rings, pendants, and earrings made from jade.

A visit to Jade Market is a must and a good market to buy souvenirs and gifts. There are many shops selling swords, trinkets, Chinese fans, and drawings as well.

Location: Situated at the junction of Battery Street and Kansu Street
Timings: Jade Market is closed on Sundays. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

5. Pacific Place Hong Kong

Located above the Admiralty MTR Station, Pacific Place is one of Hong Kong’s busy shopping malls and is close to some of the city’s fanciest office towers, five-star hotels, and a luxury apartment residence. Owing to the height of the mall, visitors can enjoy the views of some of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks like Central Piers, The Peak, and Hong Kong Park.

Sprawled across four floors, the mall has over 200 shops and three departmental stores.

The upper levels of the mall have designer brand outlets, and lower floors have dining options and supermarkets. Pacific Place is unique as it mixes high-street fashion stores with designer shops.

There are many restaurants, bars and cafés in the mall, including ones serving Asian and European cuisines. Domani, Zen, Thai Basil, and Shiro are some of the popular eateries.

Pacific Place Hong Kong houses a six-screen movie theatre which boasts stadium-style seating with French leather seats and delicious food.

Location: The mall is located on Queensway.
Timings: Pacific Place is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Places to Stay

Some of the best hotels in Hong Kong are:

Hyatt Regency
Hilton Garden Inn
Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island
The Harbourview
Kowloon Shangri-La
InterContinental Grand Stanford

Travel tips

Carry your passport when you head out to shop. You can get a tax refund for all the shopping that you have done on your return journey from Hong Kong Airport.
Carry local currency. Converting currency is an extra hassle and the exchange rates are extremely high. It is best to convert the currency in your home country, prior to travel.
While Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, it is advised to take care of your belongings at all times.
Buy an Octopus Card from any MTR station or supermarket. This is the official mode of payment to travel on the local transport in the city.

How to get there?

Hong Kong is well connected by air and sea, with many ships plying the route from Guangdong.

By air: Hong Kong International Airport is 30 km away from the city and there is a direct IndiGo flight operating from select Indian cities.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Hong Kong is from September to December, i.e. during the seasons of autumn to early winter. The weather in the city is great and temperatures range from 19°C to 28°C. There is ample sunshine, low humidity and stable weather. Best for tourists, this season is ideal for outdoor activities. Explore the charming islands of Lantau, Cheung Chau and Lamma, and take a walk along the beautiful Victoria Harbour. Pack light cotton clothes and maybe a light jacket for the night.

Weather

The weather of Hong Kong is humid, with a subtropical climate. During the winter months, the weather in the city is cool with the evenings being slightly chilly. During the months of March to May, the city witnesses spring and there is a high possibility of rainfall. June to September is the summer season in the city and the weather is hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C. There are frequent typhoons and thunderstorms in Hong Kong during this period.

Conclusion

Popular among tourists, Hong Kong offers a plethora of activities. Disneyland is one of the biggest attractions and the city’s nightlife is simply breathtaking. There are many places to shop in Hong Kong, and some excellent and famous eateries as well. Offering something for everyone, a visit to Hong Kong is a must. Hop on an IndiGo flight and enjoy your time in a city that is every shopaholic’s paradise.