Office Hours
Commercial offices: 9 am - 5 pm (Mon - Fri) - 9 am - 12 noon (Sat)
Government offices: 9 am - 1 pm, 2 pm - 5 pm (weekdays) - 9 am - 12 noon (Sat)
Shops: 10 am - 9 pm (including Sunday) - 10 am - 6 pm (Mon - Fri)
Banking: 9:30 am - 4 pm (Mon - Fri) - 9:30 am -12 noon (Sat)
Hong Kong Island
Practically the whole of Hong Kong Island is a shopper's paradise. With its
many, many sales at Central, Western District and Admiralty, there are many,
many bargains to be had.
Central
Quaint old traditional markets provide the vivid contrast to the shiny new
skyscrapers which houses the many designer boutiques. Designer shops and exclusive
labels are a dime a dozen here, and lots of foreign tourists usually come here
to restock and update their wardrobe.
The many stalls at "The Lanes" peddle everything from cheap clothing,
watches, costume jewellery to luggage and shoes. Rain or shine, the markets
stay open every day, from 10 a.m. until 7.00 p.m.
Photography enthusiasts inevitably make a beeline for Stanley Street, and
little wonder, since there's such a wide array of equipment on sale there.
For antiques, head for Hollywood Road. A little to the west, sidewalk hawkers
take pride of place.
Western District
Interested in getting some lovely fabric or Chinese handicraft? Then Western
Market is just the place to visit. The building itself is something of an attraction,
with its Edwardian design and architecture. Move farther west, and you'll find
that Chinese-style shops dominate the view, with their dried seafood and medicinal
herbs. Antiques can also be had here, at the Cat Street Bazaar, where you'll
find and a dazzling array of old coins, watches and stone carvings, sold at
the shops and stalls.
Admiralty
Another area for branded luxury items with the Pacific Place topping
the list of popular shopping destinations. It has more than 130 outlets,
including the famed Marks & Spencer, Lane Crawford and Seibu.
Wan Chai & Causeway Bay
Lovely rattan and Chinese furniture await you at Wan Chai and there
are shops that sell products specially for export. Causeway Bay is locally
known as "Little Japan" because of the major Japanese department
stores that specialize in electrical goods, shoes and fashion for the young.
Tai Koo Shing
Over in Quarry Bay, you'll be able to find one of Hong Kong's largest
shopping complexes - the Cityplaza. It has an ice-skating rink, entertainment
outlets and the usual retail and department stores. Located right above the
Tai Koo MTR Station.
Ap Lei Chau
The area near Aberdeen is good hunting ground for discount furniture
and clothing warehouses and the Horizon Plaza houses many furniture and clothing
factory outlets.
Stanley
One of Hong Kong's most famous seafronts and its historic lanes are
full of stalls peddling Chinese paintings, silk collectibles, handicrafts,
furniture and lots and lots of Hong Kong souvenirs and curios. Stanley has
also gained widespread fame for its markets.
Kowloon
Tsimshatsui
This is Hong Kong's shopping and fashion centre, with its many malls
and department stores carrying the latest in clothes and accessories. A must-see
is the magnificent Harbour City, a huge shopping and entertainment centre,
which also has a berthing area for visiting cruise liners. Up-to-date computer
equipment is also available here. But the piece-de-resistance is the open
rooftop that gives a fabulous view of the harbour vista.
Mongkok
Mongkok is a lively place, indeed, with its live houseplants, songbirds
and fish. Its famous markets ar
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