Last updated on August 19th, 2023 at 12:23 am
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When it comes to shopping, it’s hard to beat a city like Hong Kong.
Yes, there are a lot of amazing things in HK but shopping here is on another level.
This blog post will focus on the top shopping areas in the city so you’ll know exactly where to go when the shopping mood hits you.
Since HK is divided into Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and New Territories, I thought it would be best to split the best shopping areas by district. That way, no matter where you are, you can find some shopping areas nearby.
Let’s start with the Kowloon side.
Best Shopping Areas – Kowloon Side
Tsim Sha Tsui
On the Kowloon side of HK, Tsim Sha Tsui is THE main shopping area. This is where places like Granville Road, Harbour City, and K11 Musea are.
There are about a dozen of shopping malls alone in this district. With so many options, the streets and malls are constantly packed with people.
A lot of the boutiques in Tsim Sha Tsui are higher end but if you keep walking to Granville road, the prices are significantly cheaper. There are also more local shops there as well so you’re supporting smaller businesses.
You’ll also find endless restaurant options in this area. From The Cheesecake Factory to Outdark to Yat Tung Heen, there are all cuisines imaginable.
Plus, there are other things to do around the area like visiting The Hong Kong Museum of Art. The history and science museum is also nearby as well as Kowloon Park.
Although TST is known for shopping, there’s so much more to do here. Locals and tourists love it here because the nearby attractions can keep them busy for an entire day. If there is only time to visit one to two shopping areas in Hong Kong, this would definitely be one of them.
Mong Kok
Mong Kok is another must-visit shopping area in Hong Kong.
Now, you might be wondering what the difference is between Mong Kong and TST. There will be a heated debate if you ask people which shopping area is the best.
The main difference is the price. Mong Kok doesn’t have all these high-end designer stores on the streets. The things they sell here are way more affordable compared to the stores in Tsim Sha Tsui.
There is also more to buy around here because they have pretty specific shopping areas. For example, they have a goldfish market, a flower market, and a sneaker street. The names are pretty self-explanatory so there is no need to go into detail.
You’ll also find cute gifts, affordable clothes, electronics, and pre-loved luxury around this area.
A must-visit in Mong Kok is the Ladies’ Market. It’s arguably one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hong Kong. A lot of pictures floating on the internet and blogs are pictures of Ladies’ Market.
These stalls sell funny t-shirt designs, toys, accessories, and other knick-knacks.
Most people associate this district with inexpensive items and it’s true. The things sold on the street aren’t of the highest quality but it’s fun to see what they have for sale.
It’s also where tourists tend to flock for HK souvenirs.
Mong Kok is a highly populated area. There are always a lot of people and during the hot summer months in the city, you won’t be ecstatic to be squished in the crowd. When the streets are crammed with people and the heat gets to you, you can hop into malls like TOP, Argyle Center, and Langham Place to cool down.
When Should You Visit Mong Kok?
Come at night when the place is alive. Most of the stores in Mong Kok open in the late afternoon, which is perfect when you want to get away from the crowd. However, for the full experience, visit after work hours. The night vibe is completely different. The neon lights shining high above are an accurate representation of HK’s nightlife.
Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po is the best shopping area for wholesalers but individual buyers are also welcome here. If you ever need inspiration, this is the place to go. There are dozens of stores selling all kinds of things like fabrics, sewing materials, electronics, children’s toys, and fashion.
It’s similar to the Dongdameum market in Seoul, Korea.
For tech gadgets, visit Golden Computer Arcade. It’s also worth going to Dragon Center. This mall has 9 floors and sells all kinds of miscellaneous items.
The vibe here is a complete 180 to your typical luxury malls. It’s not going to be as fancy as some of the other shopping areas on this list.
Visit Sham Shui Po to experience a more local shopping vibe. Bargain lovers will especially love it here.
Best Shopping Areas – Hong Kong Side
Central
Central is the financial district of Hong Kong so the stores and restaurants are more on the expensive side. This is a good area to visit if you’re looking for international luxury chains stores like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. You’ll find these stores inside malls like Landmark and IFC.
These malls even have delicious bakeries like Dominique Ansel. Grab some snacks between meals or if you’re in the mood to nibble on something.
Central also has high-end department stores like Harvey Nichols and Lane Crawford. This is also where restaurants like SHE and Agehan are located.
If expensive stores aren’t your cup of tea, you can check out Wing On department store, near Pica Pica restaurant. There are also some street stalls scattered around the area.
My personal favourite place to shop in Central is Central Market. This indoor market is a great place to go for snacks. They have dozens of snack stalls available.
But what I like most about Central Market is that they sell HK-related items. These are unique and can’t be found in other spots.
For example, there is a store on the ground floor that sells vintage HK items. Those who grew up in the 70s – 90s in the city will be tempted to buy from here to reminisce on the nostalgia. You can buy and carry a piece of your childhood with you.
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is most known for the upscale mall, Times Square, and the department store, SOGO.
SOGO is a one-stop shop that pretty much has everything you need.
Beauty counters are on the ground floor, the supermarket is in the basement, ladies’ wear is on the 2nd and 3rd floor, etc. SOGO also sells household goods like kitchen appliances and bedding.
It’s a good option for those who don’t want to run around to many stores to buy different things.
There are several malls next to SOGO that are worth mentioning. There’s Laforet and Island Beverly, malls that mostly contain local fashion boutiques but also have some beauty and accessory stores.
It’s a sharp contrast to Times Square and SOGO where they sell mostly brand-name things. Other malls in this district include Fashion Walk, Hysan Place, Lee Theatre, and Windsor House.
A few streets ahead is Jardine’s Crescent Market. This is like a series of mini street stalls in Causeway Bay. These stalls sell mainly fashion items like socks, pants, and tops.
There’s Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side and then there’s Causeway Bay on the HK district side. There are loads to see around Causeway Bay and for sure is one of the best shopping areas in Hong Kong.
Best Shopping Areas – New Territories
People don’t usually come to the New Territories for shopping but there are still shopping districts around this area. Come on, it’s Hong Kong.
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan is sort of a hidden gem because a lot of people don’t know that it’s a great shopping area.
I had no idea either until I walked around one day and realized just how many stores are in this area.
Some malls here include Tsuen Wan Plaza, Cityplaza, OP Mall, New Town Mall, Nina Mall, and D Park.
Most of these malls are within walking distance from each other making it easy to go from one shopping center to another.
In TST, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay, you’ll often see tourists wheeling their luggage as they’re shopping. In Tsuen Wan, it’s mostly locals. Specifically, people who live around there. When you want to get away from tourists, you’ll know where to go.
The stores in Tsuen Wan are in the lower to the mid-price range so you won’t see flashy expensive stores in this area but it’s somewhere to go if you want to experience local shopping life.
People don’t nearly talk about Tsuen Wan often enough when it comes to one of the best shopping areas. I have no idea why but I love it! It’s like this secret place for me when I’m in the shopping or window shopping mood.
P.S., when it comes to restaurants in Tsuen Wan, don’t forget to check out this fusion dim sum restaurant called Dim Sum Bar. It’s a restaurant I enjoyed eating at whenever I’m near the district.
Tung Chung
Tung Chung’s main shopping area is Citygate Outlet. It might not sound like a lot compared to other areas but this outlet has over 150 stores and has brands like Nike to Theory to Burberry.
There are plenty of stores to keep you occupied. You’ll see people carrying multiple shopping bags on each arm, satisfied with their new items.
Tung Chung is also where you have to go for day trips like Tai O Fishing Village and Big Buddha.
Being in the city has its fair share of perks but it’s worth seeing these two famous HK destinations. They make gorgeous pictures to keep as a memory or to send to loved ones.
However, these two places do not have many food options (Tai O has a bit more) so you might want to eat inside Citygate Outlet first. Go for Banchan and Cook if you’re a fan of Korean fried chicken or egg rice.
Final Thoughts – Best Shopping Areas in HK
There’s a reason why Hong Kong is known to be a shopping paradise. There are just too many places to go shopping while you’re here.
Whether it’s locals or tourists, there’s plenty to see and buy. Visit the following Hong Kong shopping areas so you can shop till you drop!
Now to You – Best Shopping Areas in HK
xoxo,
Nicole