While the air-conditioned malls and luxury boutiques of Hong Kong rival those in any city in the world, the real experience of Hong Kong is found in the smaller street shops and markets scattered around the city. It can be a fascinating experience and you will see things you'll never forget...
1. The Lanes - Central
Shopping in The Lanes is good exercise. This little collection of back roads in the Central district climbs up the bottom edge of Victoria Peak at such an angle that at times the roads literally become stairways. You can find anything - go home with fresh shrimp and a new Rolex (okay a new fake Rolex). Family-owned stall after family-owned stall is scattered along the hillside for you to browse through. It's a great place for clothing, but my favorite item is Chinese chops - the little stamps that bear a Chinese character on them (usually representing a family name). Central MTR station gets you close to The Lanes.2. Nathan Road - Kowloon
Famous for bargains, notorious for rip off artists and bait-and-switch ploys: that's Nathan Road. Nathan Road attracts night shoppers, with neon sign after neon sign lining the street to advertise the various boutiques, electronics stores, jewelry outlets, clothing stores, etc. that populate the shopping district.
Unless you just have money to throw away, you simply must haggle and bargain. Nathan Road is for the savvy shopper. If you go there for cameras or electronics, be sure that a) you know what you want b) you know what you should be willing to pay for it and c) you actually walk away with what you bought.3. Stanley Market - Stanley
Don't get me wrong: Stanley Market is a worthwhile shopping experience. But I should tell you up front that the trip to Stanley on the south side on Hong Kong Island is at least as rewarding as the shopping. You leave the concrete jungle and drive across some beautiful countryside. Stanley is an old fishing village. The market has lots of Chinese artwork, silk, oddities, and souvenirs. Lots of Chairman Mao memorabilia. 4. The Temple Street Night Market - Kowloon
It's really an injustice to think of this as just a market. Yes, it is one of the most bustling flea markets in probably the world. But you will also find impromptu Chinese opera, fortune tellers, and other types of entertainment. And things to buy. Lots of things to buy. Cheap things to buy. Unlike most of Hong Kong's shopping scene, the Temple Street Night Market is geared more toward men. You'll find a range of both new and used goods - everything from jeans and t-shirts to mobile phones and DVD players. The Jordan MTR stations is close to the market area.5. The Jade Market - Kowloon
Personally, I love jade simply because it is pretty. The Chinese place a whole different emphasis on their love for jade, though. It brings luck. The Jade Market in Kowloon sits at the corner of Battery and Kansu streets. Even if you're not really interested in jade, the market is a fascinating cultural experience. But if you are interested in jade, this may be the best jade market in the world. It pays to do a little research. It's hard to tell antiques from knock offs if you're not a jade expert. The market opens at 10 a.m. and stays open daily until 3:30 p.m. Yao Ma Tei MTR station gets you to the market area.6. Hollywood Road and Cat Street - Central to Sheung Wan
These two parallel streets run from Central to Sheung Wan in the Western District of Hong Kong and they are covered up with trinket shops, antiques, Mao memorabilia, Tibetan rugs, porcalain, and much more. Hollywood Road is famous for its use as a setting in early movies, but the name probably came from holly bushes that lined the road. Cat Street is also sometimes called Upper Lascar Row. Some stores will help you ship larger pieces of furniture. Among the more interesting items: the little ivory snuff bottles that shops here sell.
7. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden - Kowloon
So you're looking for a Painted Firetail Finch (Emblema bellum), or maybe a Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) to take home with you from Hong Kong. Okay, nobody really comes to HK looking to buy a finch. But the Bird Market, as it is commonly called, sells birds - an important item in local Chinese culture. As a foreigner you will be largely ignored, but tolerated. It's a fascinating education experience. Prince Edward MTR station gets you close to the market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.8. The Flower Market - Kowloon
Not far from the Bird Market is the Flower Market - the best smelling market in Hong Kong. You can buy individual flowers if that's what you want or a hundred orchid if you have the cash. The flowers here are cheaper and fresher than in local stores. The Prince Edward MTR station gets you close.9. Stanley Street - Central
The focus here is on cameras. And unlike Nathan Road, Stanley Street is a fairly safe environment to hunt for one. You can find almost any make or model, along with all the attachments and gizmos you could want. The buyer should still beware, but you don't have to worry quiet so much and the pace and crowd size makes it a family-friendly shopping experience. Bargain for all you're worth... 10. The Ladies' Market - Mongkok
A huge amount of women's clothing and accessories at bargain basement prices. You'll also find lots of children clothing and toys, cosmetics, along with jewelry and watches. The market is open from noon to almost midnight. The market is on Tung Choi Street. Use the Mongkok MTR station.
