WHAT TO DO - Hong Kong - page 106

Department stores . Look for Hong Kong's own Lane Crawford, a very upmarket store with
branches at Pacific Place, IFC Mall and Harbour City; mid-range Wing On, one of the old-
est in Hong Kong; the UK's Harvey Nichols in The Landmark and Marks & Spencer
branches; and the Japanese stores, Sogo and Seibu.
Malls . Hong Kong is full of giant malls dedicated to shopping, eating and entertainment.
Harbour City, just west of the Star Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, is one of the largest;
Elements, above Kowloon MTR, is vast but quieter than most; IFC Mall and The Landmark
in Central have major designer brands; Pacific Place in Admiralty has a mix of luxury and
mid-range brands; and Times Square in Causeway Bay has 16 floors of spending opportun-
ities.
Factory outlets . Hong Kong's garment factories have moved elsewhere, but there are still
plenty of small outlets dotted about the city selling excess stock, samples and factory over-
runs. Try Johnston Road in Wan Chai, Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok and Stanley Market.
Pedder Building at 12 Pedder Street, Central has designer outlets. Also in Central, Li Yuen
Street East and Li Yuen Street West, better known as 'The Lanes', have some outlet shops
and all kinds of stalls selling chinoiserie, clothes, shoes, watches, bags and luggage.
Markets . Markets are the places to use your bargaining skills. Treat all claims of authenti-
city with a healthy pinch of salt, enjoy the banter and be prepared to walk away. Hong
Kong's most famous and colourful market, selling every conceivable kind of goods, is the
Temple Street Night Market near the Jordan MTR stop. By day the Ladies Market on
Tung Choi Street, and nearby Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok are the places to go for clothes
and accessories. Stanley Market is located on Hong Kong's southern coast, and is good for
men's, women's and children's clothes, shoes and gifts.
Shopping tips
Be aware that name brands, including electronics, are sometimes fakes, glass
may be sold as jade, and that antique you bought may have been made last
night. Always ask for a receipt that records information about the item, and if you
buy an antique, be sure to get a certificate of authentication. Needless to say,
avoid peddlers who approach you in the street.
It is advisable to shop at outlets that are members of the Hong Kong Tourism
Board's (HKTB) Quality Tourism Services Scheme, identified by a black Chinese
character encircled by a golden letter Q with a small red junk in the bottom left
corner. Membership imposes an obligation to maintain standards of both quality
and service. For a list of qts-accredited outlets, pick up a copy of the HKTB's A