All girls love shopping. Well, some guys do too. And Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world for shopping. There are almost all the brands you could imagine and there is no commodity tax for most products.
So what are the good places in Hong Kong for shopping? Well, I myself do not like Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui. There are way too many people whenever you go since both locals and tourists love going there which I have no freaking idea why. Seriously, I do not care about Sogo or Harbour City or those big shops on the street. Shopping is like a battle in those places, it is not joyful at all. The brands you can find there, you can get them at other places too while a lot less crowded and much more convenient locations. All I want is some relaxing and comfortable shopping time.
Here are my recommendations.
1. IFC Mall
IFC Mall is located at International Finance Centre (the new heart of Hong Kong), between One IFC and Two IFC and just near the Four Seasons Hotel. It is just minutes walk from the Central Ferry Piers and on top of the Hong Kong MTR Station (Airport Express, Tung Chung Line, Tsuen Wan Line & Island Line).
This mall is definitely one of my two favourite shopping malls in Hong Kong. You can find about 200 brands in it (eg. ZARA, MANGO, D&G, Prada, Bvlgari, Versace, Tiffany, Clinique, RMK, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Origins etc.) and there is a Lane Crawford. There are restaurants, bars and cafes too and many of them have a stunning view over the Victoria Harbour. Besides, IFC Palace is my favourite cinema in Hong Kong. Also at the Airport Express Hong Kong Station, you can just check in your flight with the luggage then go shopping.
I would usually go there after lunch time on the weekdays. There are not many people during that time. Most shops would only have a few customers. You can just relax and pick up what you want and then go to have a cup of coffee or some food at the terrace. It would get busy at the afternoon peak hour as people are off work. However, even on the weekends it is fun to go there for shopping except if you feel like a movie you would have to book tickets in advance.
For more details, check out their website http://www.ifc.com.hk/english/shoppingmall.aspx
2. Pacific Place Mall
This is the other one of my two favourite shopping malls in Hong Kong.
Pacific Place Mall is in Admiralty (Hong Kong Island, one train stop from Central), surrounded by three 5-star hotels (Conrad, JW Marriot and Island Shangri-La) and above the Admiralty MTR Station (Island Line & Tsuen Wan Line).
Just like IFC Mall, there is a Lane Crawford too and you can find quite many brands there (eg. A/X, Chanel, Miu Miu, Cartier, Chloe, Emporio Armani, Fendi, Hermes, Hugo Boss etc.). But you would have more choices for cosmetics in Pacific Place compared to IFC Mall as there is a Seibu where you can get Armani, Anna Sui, Chantecaille and many more. The cinema in Pacific Place which is called AMC is my second favourite in Hong Kong. Also there is a nice restaurant called Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill offers very delicious Bowl Of Chili.
The best shopping time is morning and afternoon after lunch time during the weekdays. Not many people at all and you can comfortably spend hours and hours there. On the weekends there would be a lot more people but the shopping will still not become a pain like in Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui.
For further information, see http://www.pacificplace.com.hk
3. Elements
Elements is the only shopping centre I like in Kowloon. It is considered being located in Tsim Sha Tsui but actually it is far away from those quite annoying places. It is more close to the Western Kowloon. Elements is above the Kowloon MTR Station (Airport Express & Tung Chung Line) and near the Western Harbour Tunnel. What’s more, the coming-up-soon highest building in Hong Kong (ICC) is connected to the Elements as well as W Hotel and Ritz Carlton.
Usually not many people there at all on the weekdays. It is a very quiet shopping place and sometimes only a few people around except afternoon peak hour as there are many residential buildings around. Well, it may get a lot busier after ICC is finished.
Anyway, this shopping centre is very new and different. It has 123 shops, an ice rink and the 1600-seat Grand Cinema (the largest cinema complex in Hong Kong). Elements has some of the world’s most sought-after brands and services. A lot of them are completely new to Hong Kong, and many others have opened flagship stores there. Besides, at the Civic Square you can find some great restaurants. In addition, you can check in your flight with the luggage at Airport Express Kowloon Station.
Website: http://www.elementshk.com
4. Citygate Outlets
Citygate Outlets is the first and only outlet mall in Hong Kong. It is located in the heart of Tung Chung on Lantao Island, directly connected to the Novotel Citygate and only a few minutes bus from the airport and not far from Hong Kong Disneyland either. It is also just above the Tung Chun MTR Station (Tung Chung Line).
The outlets in the mall currently offer year-round discounts of 30-70% on all products. There are many brands such as Burberry, Calvin Klein Jeans, MaxMara, Polo Ralph Rauren, Vivienne Tam, Adidas, Puma, Lancel, Coach, Kate Spade etc. It is really good value and there are many choices. Also there is a cinema and the Food Republic food court offers quite awesome food with a big variety of asian and western cuisine.
Check out their website at http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk
5. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)
What is the best way to kill waiting time before the flight? Shopping!
HKIA is absolutely one of my favourite airports in the world. And obviously it is awarded as “The World’s Best Airport Shopping Destination”.
At HKIA, you can find a large number of brands and kinds for cosmetics, tobacco, alcohols and designer’s fashion etc. After you pass the immigration, it is just like a fantastic world for shopping. Sitting on the seat and wait for the flight time? Oh come on that is too boring. Go shopping, and then have some yummy food, that is really great feeling. But, well, for sure, you have to arrive at the airport early rather than being in a hurry.
HKIA: http://www.hongkongairport.com/
Shopping is fun. =)
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As long as I don’t have to come too =P
[Reply]
What are the best places to shop in Hong Kong and how can I get information about those?
[Reply]
Yalta Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
abdul, pls read the article. or you meant any particular products shopping like mobile phones?
[Reply]
Abdul, did you even read the article?
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Btw, can we find miu miu store in HKIA?? :)
[Reply]
Yalta Reply:
July 24th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
yeah i think so. or at least you can find some of their products like sunnies and shoes etc :)
[Reply]