· If you want to buy cheap clothes then definitely go to Stanley market. The clothes come from the same factories as those exported to Europe and America, so you get the same quality at a fraction of the price. You don't need to haggle, but you can have a go if you like. Stanley is also a beautiful seaside village on the south side of Hong Kong island and after the shopping you can hang out in a bar or restaurant on the waterfront. Just ask someone where to catch a bus - it takes about half an hour from downtown and terminates near the market. A great half day out.
John Burgess, Shenzhen, China
· Hong Kong is not that cheap for shoppers because it is still the third most expensive city in the world, only behind Tokyo and Osaka. If you want just normal high street stuff or designer labels, then try Central District (tube: Central) and Pacific Place (tube: Admiralty) at the island side and Tsim Sha Tsui (TST in short, tube: Tsim Sha Tsui) at the Kowloon side are the areas you should explore, but they are not cheap.
If you want computer gears, go to Sham Shui Po Station and follow the tourists. But you need to know your stuff before you go there or you may find it intimidating. Ap Liu Street (means "duck barns") nearby has a very good second-hand/antique market for electronic goods.
Causeway Bay area has a bit of everything and stays open late. The massive Sogo department store in the centre of the area is worth a trip. Mong Kok (means "popular corner") is more local but the prices are generally lower. Tung Choi Street (means "hollow vegetable") and the northern half of Fa Yuen Street (means "garden") are good for open markets. Both Causeway Bay and Mong Kok are extremely packed areas and always busy. To avoid the crowds, arrive there in early afternoon.
Stanley Market (the "Red Column" in Chinese) is for touristy stuff. Take bus nunber 6 or 260 outside Admiralty station to Stanley and you will enjoy a nice journey on the south coast of the island. It is a nice to have a break at Repulse Bay, the most popular beach in Hong Kong. Be careful with some shops for electronic goods at TST and Mong Kok. Most shops in Hong Kong do not open until early lunchtime, so do not go early.
Humphrey Yiu, London
· Some information from the Hong Kong Tourist Board:
· The Lanes (Li Yuen Streets East and West), Central - Hong Kong Island: Good for discounted fashion and footwear. · Temple Street Night Market, Kowloon: Mile-long strip of clothing and bric-a-brac stalls, fortune tellers, buskers, Chinese opera singers and streetside food stands.
· Ladies Market, Kowloon: Casual and sports clothing (much of it unisex, despite the name "Ladies Market") as well as cosmetics, handbags, luggage and accessories.
· Jade Market, Kowloon: For jade jewellery and ornaments.
· Stanley Market, South side of Hong Kong Island: A seaside town where millionaire homes and luxury apartments overlook the by now legendary market of arts and crafts, antiques and clothing.
· The main antiques dealers are to be found on Hong Kong Island, on Hollywood Road, Wyndham Street and Lyndhurst Terrace. Charming stalls of bric-a-brac can be found on Upper Lascar Row (more popularly known by its nickname, Cat Street), and the renovated, Edwardian Western Market is worth a visit for its antique and craft shops, plus stalls of silks and fabrics.
· Those after bargains in computers and software should look to Golden Computer Centre on Castle Peak Road, or at similar complexes located at 298 and 130 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong.
· Shopping for gadgets: 1010 , 82-84 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon - is great for gadgets. The Fortress chain of shops are also worth looking out for. The Times Square Shopping Center in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, has an entire level devoted to electronic goods. For Chinese souvenirs try Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium on Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Samantha Jones
