One of the most fun things about a trip to Hong Kong is the shopping. A city full of markets, upscale shopping malls, and bargains galore, if you leave Hong Kong without a suitcase full of stuff, you haven't done it properly.
There are of course some items you shouldn't leave Hong Kong without at least looking at, and preferably buying. These are the things its known for and, usually, the best things to buy in Hong Kong. Really.
Clothing - Outlet Shops - Just about the best bargains in Hong Kong can be found in clothing and accessories and, particulary at the city's outlet stores.
Shop at Lee Garden Road, Stanley Market and Johnston Road and Spring Garden Lane for the cheapest prices on clothing and designer wear. Here you'll find factory outlets, market stalls and small stores selling casual clothing and designer label items at a fraction of what you'd pay in one of Hong Kong's department stores. Of course, you have to rummage around a bit, but the bargains you'll pick up are worth the time.
Cosmetics - Duty-free and no sales tax is the name of the game in Hong Kong, so if you love designer cosmetics, face creams, lotions and perfumes, you should stock up on your visit.
Harbour City and Lockhart Road are two of the best places to shop.
Dried Seafood - Although non-Asians might not understand it, all forms of dry seafood are sold in Hong Kong in massive amounts, as they're a big part of Asian diets.
The best place, and the most interesting, to find dry seafood, ginseng, dried mushrooms and herbs is in the Shueng Wan district of Hong Kong, with its streets stuffed full of stalls and tiny shops selling everything you can imagine.
Wing Lok Street, otherwise known as Bird's Nest and Ginseng Street, is the shopping destination for thousands of the aforementioned items in all grade levels and quality, as well as a great place to buy traditional Chinese medicines.
Cameras and Electronics - Many people travel to Hong Kong to pick up cheap electronics and cameras, although you do have to shop around as they're not always cheaper than anywhere else in Asia. But you will find Nikon, Sony, Casio, and just about any other camera brand imaginable. Just shop carefully and know the price you want to pay before going into a shop as, like anywhere, there are the usual scams.
If you're shopping for DVD players, computers, computer games, mobile phones and cameras, start with Wanchai Computer City, Mong Kok Computer Centre, Times Square and Apliu Street.
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