Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:39 pm
When people visit Hong Kong, they often want to take home a little piece of the city for themselves or as a gift for others.
Are you scratching your head, trying to decide which souvenirs to buy?
In this blog post, I’ll talk about some great Hong Kong gift ideas to bring back home.
Let’s get started!
Best Hong Kong Gifts List
1) Custom Name Seal
In Sheung Wan, there is a street called Man Wa Lane, also known as Chop Alley. There, you’ll see multiple stamp business stalls (even local companies that need their company chops come here to get them done).
At Chop Alley, you can get a custom name stamp in Chinese. Have your name translated into Chinese characters, and let these store owners work their magic. The cost will vary depending on the material and design.
How’s that for a unique Hong Kong souvenir?
2) Cheongsam
Cheongsam is the Cantonese word for qi pao, a traditional figure-hugging dress for females. People tend to favour red cheongsams because they are eye-catching. It’s also what brides wear to a Chinese wedding, as red represents happiness and fortune. However, there are other colours as well, such as gold, blue, purple, and green.
To find high-quality cheongsams, visit Shanghai Tang. Shanghai Tang is a local luxury brand that sells traditional Chinese clothing with a modern twist. Otherwise, cheongsams are also found in street markets, such as Mong Kok.
3) Jade
Jade accessories are popular among Hong Kong consumers for their aesthetic appeal and the symbolism they convey. Many Hong Kongers are superstitious, and jade is often seen as a symbol of protection, luck, and wealth.
While most people associate jade with the beautiful green colour, it is also available in purple, yellow, or black.
You can visit the jade market to see the variety and explore what’s available. Unfortunately, there are many fake jade items there.
For reputable sellers, visit Chow Sang Sang and Chow Tai Fook for authentic jade pieces. These jewellery stores are all around the city, and you’ll know it’s one of them because of the captivating displays of diamonds, pearls, jade, and other precious gemstones on the storefront.
4) Milk Tea Cup
This cow teacup is synonymous with Hong Kong’s cafes. In Cantonese, it is also known as cha chaan tengs. This cup is usually used for hot milk tea, one of Hong Kong’s signature drinks.
Although this cup design is less well-known to tourists, those familiar with it will recognize it as part of Hong Kong culture.
5) Packaged Snacks
When it comes to what food to bring back from Hong Kong, egg tarts are a good choice. They’re a signature Hong Kong food, but their shelf life is extremely short.
It’s better to buy packaged snacks that last longer, such as egg rolls, cookies, walnut cookies, palmiers, or mooncakes (sold before the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, which usually falls in September or October, depending on the Lunar calendar).
These snacks give people a taste of Hong Kong without having to travel there.
One place tourists love is Jenny Cookies. These butter cookies have people lining up to buy boxes in their Tsim Sha Tsui or Sheung Wan locations. The most popular choice is their four mixed butter cookies (which have butter, coffee, shortbread, and raisin oats).
Other bakeries to get Hong Kong snacks:
- Kee Wah
- Hang Heung
- Wing Wah
- Imperial Patisserie
- Ko Kei
6) Tea + Teacup Set
Chinese people love tea. It’s a staple in Hong Kong households because locals believe hot drinks are better than cold drinks.
In Hong Kong, the most common types of tea are Jasmine, Tie Guan Yin, Oolong, Pu-er, and Chrysanthemum. These are even found in dim sum restaurants. When you go for dim sum, one of the first questions your server will ask is what type of tea you would like.
Bring a teapot set back home if you have enough luggage space. This might be a heavier souvenir to carry, but you can get a lot of use out of it if you or someone you know loves drinking tea. A teapot set with tea would make the perfect gift.
7) Mahjong
This tile game is extremely well-received among Chinese people, especially older generations. Many middle-aged Hong Kongers play mahjong with their friends and family on weekends and at gatherings.
Retirees also tend to love mahjong. Since they have time on their hands, mahjong fills their day. It’s the go-to option because it activates your brain. It’s also a social activity, as mahjong requires four players. Mahjong players can play for hours without stopping, and while they play, they also take the opportunity to catch up and eat yummy food.
Buy a mahjong set and learn how to play this Chinese game with your friends and family.
8) Starbucks Mug
When travelling around the world, you might not know exactly which stores to buy souvenirs from unless you research or have experience, but you know Starbucks has city-exclusive mugs. This company is known for that.
Visit a Starbucks in Hong Kong to add to your mug collection. In addition to mugs, you can purchase beverage-related items, such as water bottles. Starbucks might also have a seasonal or limited selection, depending on your visit.
9) Typical Hong Kong Souvenirs
This is a broad category because typical Hong Kong souvenirs include, but are not limited to, shot glasses, T-shirts, magnets, stickers, postcards, tote bags, keychains, cups, posters, cards, and prints.
The designs are typically inspired by Hong Kong, featuring images of dim sum, pandas, and Local scenery.
These local Hong Kong gifts are unique to Hong Kong. You can’t get them anywhere else.
Buying one of these is like having a small piece of Hong Kong. You are also supporting local businesses. It’s the best of both worlds.
10) Pei Pa Koa
Pei Pa Koa is an herbal throat medicine that has been in use since the Qing Dynasty.
I know, I know. Throat medicine sounds weird to give to people, but hey! If it works, why not?
Pei Pa Koa is a liquid syrup that soothes your throat and helps relieve coughing. This thick syrup is sweet and doesn’t taste as awful as other Western throat medicines. It’s one of those medicines that I always have in my cupboard.
Pei Pa Koa usually comes in a large bottle, but travel packs and lozenges are also available. These can be found in pharmacies, drugstores, and supermarkets.
11) Sneakers
You might be surprised to see sneakers on this Hong Kong gift list, but did you know Hong Kong has a wide selection? There is a street in Mong Kok called Sneaker Street. Tourists and locals come to this area because multiple athleisure stores are close together. There’s plenty to choose from, from shoes to apparel to sports accessories.
Hong Kongers love sneakers so much that they often choose them as their first choice of shoes (it makes sense since Hong Kong is such a walkable city). They’re comfortable and have many brands and designs, so they don’t feel boring.
Come on now, who doesn’t love sneakers?
12) Red White Blue Bag
The easiest way to describe the red-white-blue bag is that it’s like the iconic blue IKEA bag with a zipper.
This bag is spacious and wide, making it suitable for a wide range of items.
It’s cheap, durable, multi-functional, and easy to clean. If the bag gets dirty, it only takes one wipe to make it as good as new.
This souvenir will also take up barely any space in your suitcase. You can reuse it repeatedly because you will eventually need it to transport or carry large items.
13) Octopus Card
The Octopus card is a transportation card that all Hong Kong residents have. It’s equivalent to London’s Oyster card.
People use it primarily for transportation. Locals also use this card for smaller transactions, such as purchasing items from a convenience store, paying for parking tickets, and even dining at a Hong Kong café.
Even tourists who stay in Hong Kong for only three days should seriously consider one. You’ll find yourself reaching for your Octopus card when you explore the city. It’s practical, and you can reuse it for the next visit.
14) Lai See Envelopes
China’s most celebrated holiday is the Chinese New Year, which includes giving and receiving lai see.
Chinese people would put a crisp dollar note inside a lai see and give it to an unmarried person, a child, or junior staff. The amount varies depending on the nature of the relationship. The closer you are, the more money you give.
Almost all Hong Kong families follow this tradition, so millions of lai are sold across the country every year.
To accommodate demand, Hong Kong has many temporary pop-up shops in busy districts like Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, where lai-see envelopes are sold for a few weeks or months.
People buy lai see envelopes to use, but collectors also collect them. There is a wide variety of designs, and many of them are stunning. They are also different each year because there are 12 lai see based on the Chinese zodiac. Since there are 12 of them, designers get creative about how to make them attractive to potential buyers.
This is an excellent gift for people who collect lai see envelopes, and you’ll never know when you’ll need one!
15) Sauces
There are two sauces to bring back from Hong Kong: XO sauce and shrimp paste.
XO sauce is for spice lovers. It’s made from dried seafood, including shrimp and scallops, with chilli peppers and other spices. Hong Kongers love this condiment because it enhances the flavour of their dishes.
It’s sold everywhere. Even the nicest hotels, such as the Peninsula and the Mandarin Oriental, sell their own XO sauce versions.
Shrimp paste isn’t for everybody. It has a strong scent and flavour, and many either love it or hate it.
If you can, visit Tai O Fishing Village to grab a bottle. They make barrels of shrimp paste in the village, and the smell is strong as you stroll around. Tai O also has plenty to offer besides this condiment, making it a fun day trip outside the city center.
Where to Buy Hong Kong Gifts
I have already discussed where to purchase most of these Hong Kong gifts above. Here are some other places to go:
- Near Tourist Attractions: Tourist attractions often have souvenir shops nearby, and tourists are their primary target audience.
- Mong Kok: If there’s one district to pick up some Hong Kong gifts, it will be Mong Kok. You can find a wide variety of miscellaneous goods in this neighbourhood.
- Central Market: This underrated indoor shopping area is home to unique, locally made souvenirs.
- Yue Hwa: This department store sells traditional Chinese items, including qipaos, chopsticks, fans, tea, teacup sets, Chinese art, and more. It’s a one-stop shop for those looking to buy traditional items from Hong Kong.
- Good of Desire is an HK-based brand that sells Hong Kong-themed items. Its most prominent location is Central, where this lifestyle goods store occupies two floors, stocked with kitchenware, stationery, apparel, and other fun trinkets.
Final Thoughts – Hong Kong Gifts
This Hong Kong gift list should inspire you with ideas for what to bring home. The things to buy in Hong Kong are endless; there are numerous souvenirs available. There is something for everyone; you need to find the right present.
So, walk around these locations to discover surprises and pick up some nice souvenirs from Hong Kong.
Now to You – Buying Hong Kong Gifts
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Xoxo,
Nicole
