If you love shopping, you'll love Hong Kong. It's that simple. Everywhere you turn there's something wonderful for sale. Hong Kong boasts luxury boutiques, vast malls, huge electronic markets, countless souvenir stalls, enough clothing stores to outfit the entire planet several times over and more, always more. Just remember to look for the red Hong Kong Tourist Board (HKTB) emblem on the shop. This signifies the owner is registered and in good standing. And don't forget to bargain. The shopping is good on both sides of Victoria Harbor. Below is a quick guide to the best Hong Kong Island and Kowloon have to offer.

 

 

The stores along Central's steep Hollywood Road include antiques, sports equipment, and large department stores. Nearby Stanley Street is a great place for cameras and other electronics. The alleys between Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West are packed with great little clothing stores. Luxury outlets for brands such as Versace, Prada, Gucci and Armani line Central's main streets.

 

 

East of Central, Causeway Bay is home to several fantastic shopping malls, including Times Square and the Japanese import, Sogo. A good spot to purchase cosmetics and electronics.

 

 

Stanley, located in the south of Hong Kong Island, is home to a lovely bay and a large open-air market, chock full of bargains on clothing, toys, luggage, souvenirs, and arts and crafts. A good place to shop for silk garments and traditional-style Chinese fashions.

 

 

Pure commerce: Over 700 shops line Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, spilling into adjacent lanes and alleys. Compared to the sleek skyscrapers and ultramodern malls across Victoria Harbor, it's not particularly pretty, but pretty is not the point. You'll likely be accosted by hawkers offering fake watches and Indian tailor-made suits (Britain's long stewardship of the region resulted in, among other things, a sizeable Indian population settling in Kowloon). Be wary of cameras, sunglasses and cheaper electrical goods here - they're often imitations and a number of tourists have complained of rip-off artists in the area. With a pinch of caution, however, it's another colorful thread in Hong Kong's tapestry. When the shopping buzz wears off, there are some good restaurants and bars in the area, including some good and affordable Indian food. If you're up for even more shopping, the nearby Harbor City Shopping Center offers a large selection of clothing and electronics for decent prices. Curio Ally south of Haiping Road sells Chinese knick-knacks and Tsim Sha Tsui's Austin Avenue remains one of the best places for affordable fashions. Narrow Midun Road in Kowloon hosts several reasonable tailor shops and leather stores. Find imported goods from around Asia, including Indian cloth and Japanese clothing, on Jianafen Road.

 

Mong Kok (Kowloon) 

 

A fascinating area of cramped Chinese markets, visit Fa Yuen Street and Tong Choi Street for inexpensive clothing and second-hand electronics. The Jade market on Kansu Street also makes for a popular stop - just be wary of fakes. In the evening, nearby Temple Street, not far from the Jordan Street MTR stop, comes alive with CD, VCD and DVD stalls and open-air restaurants. Known as the Night Market, you can purchase all sorts of the usual things: clothing, sunglasses, watches, jewelry... though you should be on your guard against fakes and bargain like mad.