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Saturday, October 9, 2010

SHOPPING IN HONG KONG




REFER TO THE MAP SECTION FOR FINDING THE PLACES BELOW.

Comprehensive Shopping Guides:
http://12hk.com/shopping/hk_shop.shtml
http://www.hongkongextras.com/_shopp...ng_island.html
http://www.hongkongextras.com/_shopp...s_kowloon.html
http://www.smarttravelasia.com/hkshop.htm

Outlet Information: http://www.hongkongextras.com/_outlet_shops.html

Major Sale Season: July 1 to August 31 (Extends up to 1st week of September)

Shopping in HK outside the Sale Season Reminder:

Without a Sale, shopping for clothes/apparel in HK is generally expensive except maybe for some widely-available brands like Giordano, Bossini and Uniqlo. For those who plan to shop, it's best to go when there's a Sale.

If the thing you are planning to buy is available here in Manila, make sure to check the local price first as a reference point. This way you'll know whether the stores in Hong Kong are cheaper or not.

ALL ABOUT ELECTRONICS

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM ELECTRONICS STORES ALONG NATHAN ROAD. THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE.

If you are going to buy a camera/lens below P20k, rid yourself of all the hassles, worries and warranty concerns and just buy your camera here in Manila (Hidalgo, Quiapo behind SM Quiapo). If you are going to get a Canon (which i highly recommend for everyone), all the stores in Quiapo offers the Canon Philippines Warranty so you don't have to worry about anything. As for lens and other accessories, make sure you know the Manila price as a price reference.

Apple has a universal price worldwide but the US has a significantly lower price. As for HK, the difference is not that big. For reference, you can visit Apple Hong Kong's Online Store.

Bottomline: YES MOST ELECTRONICS (Laptops/Digicams) ARE CHEAPER IN HK. However, there will always be risks in buying electronics abroad, Hong Kong is not an exception. If you think you are willing to take the risk of buying a very expensive item like laptops abroad including the risk of getting taxed upon return to Manila, go ahead. A lot of brands do NOT have international warranties which means when you have a problem, you cannot have them fixed in Manila. Lenovo and Asus as far as I know, have international warranties. Rarely do you find the same case for digital cameras.

How To Avoid Getting Ripped Off:

1. Before going to HK, know the item you want to buy and the price of the item in Manila and in the US (ie. Amazon.com).
2. Do not enter a store with zero knowledge of your target item, you will be victimized by "sales talk". Do your research at home.
3. Do not let store staff open sealed items when you don't have intentions of buying the item yet.
4. Do not give your credit card or money until you are in possession of a brand new / sealed version of the item.
5. Check your item thoroughly after paying and check if the box includes everything it should have.
6. If an item suddenly becomes out of stock, leave the store immediately and ignore their explanations.
7. Avoid stores with no locals inside or stores with aggressive and "friendly" staff on the lookout for customers.
8. If the price is too good to be true, chances are, it is.

Risk Evaluation:

Stores Inside Big Shopping Malls - Low Risk but prices are similar to Manila
Stores Along Nathan Road - Extremely High Risk | Avoid at all costs
Around Causeway Bay (excluding Windsor House) - High Risk | Mostly Unsafe
Wanchai Computer Center - Low to Medium Risk
Mongkok (Sai Yeung Choi) - Low to Medium Risk

Here are our recommended stores but BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK. We are not responsible for any mishaps you might encounter.

Where to Buy Digital Cameras / Accessories

1. Kam Fai Electronics, Mody Road (Nathan Road Side), Tsim Sha Tsui
2. Suntek Electronics, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
3. Wing Shing or Man Shing in Mongkok (Sai Yeung Choi Street)
4. Big chain stores such as Fortress, CMK, Hollywood, Broadway and Coxell
5. DC Career, 298 Computer Mall, Hennessy road, Wan Chai
6. DG, shop 162, Wan Chai Computer Centre, Wanchai MTR exit A4
7. Sim City, Mongkok (corner sai yeung choi and shantung streets)
8. New Sankyo, near Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Tsim Sha Tsui

Where to Buy PSP/DS/PS3 and other gaming consoles

Atatbo Game Shop, shop 15, Golden Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
Golden Computer Arcade, Sham Shui Po

Where to Buy Computer Related Electronics including Laptops

1. Golden Computer Arcade, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
2. Wan Chai Computer Center, Wanchai, HK Island
3. Mongkok Computer Center

Where to Buy Audio/Video, Home Theatre Equipment

Tim Chi (Grandcastle Commercial Center)
2T Sai Yeung Choi Street South
Mongkok MTR Sai Yeung Choi exit

SHUN CHEONG RECORD Co., Ltd
room 801, Bank Centre, 636 Nathan Road
Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
tel 2332-2398

Where to Buy Toys / Models / Anime-related Stuff

1. CTMA CENTRE, Sai Yeung Choi St., Mongkok
2. Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok (Intersection of Tung Choi and Dundas Street)
3. Yin Choi Street, Mongkok

Where to Buy Clothes

Malls - Times Square, Harbour City, Langham Place, Citygate Outlet Mall, Silvercord Mall, Sogo
Granville Road and Granville Circuit
Causeway Bay - Island Beverly, etc
Mongkok - Ladies Market, Argyle Centre, Mongkok New Town Mall beside Argyle Centre
Baleno, Bossini, Giordano, H&M, Uniqlo, Esprit etc
Citygate Outlet Mall
Tsim Sha Tsui - Nathan Road, Jordan Road, Canton Road, Granville Road, Kimberley Road, Sogo, Harbour City, etc.

Mall Summary:

Harbour City - Medium to High End
Silvercord Mall - Medium to High-End
Times Square - Medium to High-End
Sogo - Cheap to Medium
Langham Place - Medium
Citygate - Cheap to Medium
Festival Walk - Cheap to Medium
Shatin New Town Plaza - Cheap to Medium
Miramar Shopping Center - Cheap to Medium

Where to Buy Original Cosmetics / Perfume (and other personal effects)

Sasa
Bonjour
Sogo
Fanda
Lung Shing, Granville Road, TST

Where to Buy Disney Items
Disneyland
HK Airport Terminal 2 Shop
Trendyland http://www.trendyland.com/trendyland...land_main.html

Where to Buy Souvenirs

Ladies Market, Mongkok
Temple Street Night Market, Yaumatei
The Peak
Side Streets of Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong Transportation Souvenirs - http://www.80mbusmodel.com/menu-6.html

Where To Buy Jewelry

There are reputable chain stores like Chow Tai Fook but if you have zero background, just buy in Manila's Chinatown (Binondo).

You will not necessarily get a better price/product in HK being a tourist with no knowledge.

H&M in Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui Branch Now Open - Along Canton Road
http://www.hm.com/hk_en/storelocator...atorhtml.nhtml

Uniqlo in Hong Kong

http://www.uniqlo.com.hk/shop.html

THE ANNUAL HONGKONG SHOPPING FESTIVAL

Scheduled from JULY 1 - AUGUST 31. This happens every year. However, after these dates, they usually have a LAST FEW PIECES SALE/ LAST CHANCE SALEduring the first few weeks of September. When this happens, you will find items as low as 70% off. But the BEST TIME TO CATCH GREAT SALE ITEMS WOULD BE DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF JULY.

This is the best time to go if you want clothes suitable for Philippine weather. Although there are occasional clearance sales during other times of the year (and of course, outlet stores are always on sale), but the items aren't the ones you can wear here.

DO TAKE NOTE OF THE SEASONS THEY FOLLOW IN HONG KONG. They go by: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Summer Months in Hong Kong fall on the months of June-August.

REFER TO THE MAP SECTION FOR FINDING THE PLACES BELOW.

In Hong Kong, a SALE is a SALE. Guaranteed.

*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS


WEBSITES THAT COULD HELP YOU A LOT ABOUT HONG KONG INCLUDING LOCATION MAPS WEBSITE


WEBSITES THAT COULD HELP YOU A LOT.

HK General Information
12hk.com and discoverhongkong.com
http://www.hongkongextras.com/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Hong_Kon

HOTEL REVIEWS / PHOTOS
www.tripadvisor.com

The Peak
www.thepeak.com.hk
(Entrance Fees and Transportation Directions can be found here)

Disneyland
park.hongkongdisneyland.com
(Entrance Fees and Transportation Directions can be found here)

Ocean Park
www.oceanpark.com.hk
(Entrance Fees and Transportation Directions can be found here)

Hong Kong International Airport
http://www.hongkongairport.com

MTR - Subway System
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/cust_index.html

HK Tramways - Complete Route
http://www.hktramways.com/en/service/index.html

Public Bus - List of Routes and Stops
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/home/default.aspx?intLangID=1
http://www.kmb.hk/english.php

Ngong Ping Village and Ngong Ping 360
http://www.np360.com.hk/

The Hong Kong "Star" Ferry and its Routes
http://www.starferry.com.hk/services.html



Very Detailed and Accurate Maps of Hong Kong
http://maps.google.com - search "Hong Kong"
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/facilities/lm.html
http://www.ypmap.com/eng/
http://www.centamap.com


SAMPLE ITINERARY






ITINERARY HELP


For first timers, if possible, book the earliest flight out of Manila and the latest flight back to maximize your stay in HK.

DO NOT place Macau and an overnight stay inside Disneyland on consecutive days. Disneyland and Macau Ferry Terminals are very far apart. ie. If you are spending this night on a Disneyland hotel, do not go to Macau tomorrow.

Do not try to do too many things / sights on a limited trip duration. Do not make an hourly (beakdown) itinerary. Leave room for time allowance.

Take into consideration the type of people in your group. Children/Elderly will not be able to do many things in 1 day. Ocean Park & Disneyland can be exhausting.

It is always best to allot 1 day each for Disneyland, Ocean Park and Macau. You need almost the entire day for these places.

Disneyland vs Ocean Park: Go to their respective websites and see which 1 appeals to you more. We cannot decide for you.

NOTE: Include in your post the time/origin of your flights both outbound and inbound as well as the age breakdown of your group. 

NOTE: Also indicate if you plan to skip Disneyland, Ocean Park or both.
Example: May 1 Manila-HK 8am Flight | May 5 Macau-Manila 7pm Flight

Check Ngong Ping 360 Maintenance/Shutdown Schedule here: http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/visitor/opening.html

3 Days 2 Nights

For those who were unable to get the last flight on their last day:

Day 1
Take the Airport Bus, Check-in and Settle down
Optional - Exchange currency in Wing Hoi if residing in Tsim Sha Tsui / Mongkok
Walk around the area of your hostel/hotel (choose between TST / Mongkok)
Take the MTR to Central and visit The Peak (around 5pm)
Head to the Central Star Ferry Terminal and ride the ferry to TST
Visit Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars, Walk around TST or visit the night market afterwards
Day 2
Choose Between Ocean Park or Disneyland. After the theme park, free time to shop and walk around.
Day 3
*Free Time* (Visit Causeway Bay for shopping / ride the HK Island Tram, etc)

For those who will depart later than 9pm on their last day:

Day 1
Take the Airport Bus, Check-in and Settle down
Optional - Exchange currency in Wing Hoi if residing in Tsim Sha Tsui / Mongkok
Walk around the area of your hostel/hotel (choose between TST / Mongkok)
Take the MTR to Central and visit The Peak (around 5pm)
Head to the Central Star Ferry Terminal and ride the ferry to TST
Visit Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars, Walk around TST or visit the night market afterwards
Day 2
Optional - Ngong Ping 360 + Village + Giant Buddha from 10am to noon
Disneyland
Free to walk around.
Day 3
Ocean Park from 10am to 4pm

For those who are on the 540AM Cebu Pacific Flight on their 1st Day:

Day 1
Take the Airport Bus, Leave Baggage, Take MTR to Admiralty
Optional - Exchange currency in Wing Hoi if residing in Tsim Sha Tsui / Mongkok
Take Bus 629 to Ocean Park
Take Bus 629 back to Admiralty
Take the MTR to Central and visit The Peak
Day 2
Optional - Ngong Ping 360 + Village + Giant Buddha from 10am to noon
Disneyland
Visit Avenue of Stars
Day 3
Free Day (Tsim Sha Tsui or Mongkok or Both)

4 Days 3 Nights

Day 1
Take the Airport Bus, Check-in and Settle down
Optional - Exchange currency in Wing Hoi if residing in Tsim Sha Tsui / Mongkok
Walk around the area of your hostel/hotel (choose between TST / Mongkok)
Take the MTR to Central and visit The Peak (around 5pm)
Head to the Central Star Ferry Terminal and ride the ferry to TST
Visit Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars, Walk around TST or visit the night market afterwards
Day 2
Optional - Ngong Ping 360 + Village + Giant Buddha from 10am to noon
Disneyland
Free to walk around.
Day 3
Ocean Park
Free to walk around.
Day 4
Free Time

Free Time = For first timers, stroll around TST / Mongkok or Central / Causeway Bay (Refer to District Breakdown above).

1 Day Itinerary (For those coming from Macau / On-Transit Flights)

Take the MTR to Mongkok: walk around the markets / specialty streets.
Take the MTR to North Point the ride the Century Old Tram to Central
Walk to the Star Ferry Pier in Central, Ride bus 15C to the Peak Terminus.
Visit the Peak, ride the Peak tram roundtrip then bus 15C to the Star Ferry Pier
Ride Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui
Walk around Tsim Sha Tsui including Avenue of Stars


For those who want to do Disneyland, Ocean Park and Macau on a 4D3N trip, here are the following criteria:

1. You were able to get the 540AM Cebu Pacific flight on your 1st day and will do Ocean Park on your 1st day
2. OR you were able to get a very late flight on your last day and will do Ocean Park on that day
3. You will either have to bring your luggage with you on your last day to Ocean Park for Option 2 or leave early to retrieve you luggage before heading to the airport.
4. Doing these 3 in 4 days is going to be very hectic and tiring and is not recommended for those travelling with kids, elderly or both.
5. Visiting the Peak or Avenue of Stars will have to be after Ocean Park or Disneyland

For those who want to do Ngong Ping and/or Citygate on your 1st day:
1. Either leave your luggage at the airport (storage rental) then ride the S1 bus (same bus going back to the airport) then take the airport bus or
2. Bring your luggage with you on the S1 bus then ride the MTR from Tung Chung to your hotel

*Disneyland/Ocean Park Entrance are both "Ride All You Can", There are no "Entrance Only" Tickets.
*Disneyland Peak Day and Special Day tickets have the same price.

*Macau vs Ocean Park/Disneyland: Visit the Macau thread and the park websites then decide which appeals/interests you more.

*Check Ngong Ping 360 Maintenance/Shutdown Schedule here: http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/visitor/opening.html

*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS


Places to see in HONGKONG




If you want to know what the places below look like, go to Flickr.com and do a search or go to Discoverhongkong.com.

Alternative Good Source of Information: 
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...t-popular.html

Museum Information:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...ns/museum.html

Open-Top Bus Tours:
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...hawSightseeing
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...enTopCityTours
http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/hongkong/default.aspx
http://www.ctshk.com/english/ticket/admticket_hk.htm

Harbour Cruise:
http://www.aqua.com.hk/
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...s/harbour.html
http://www.hongkongextras.com/harbourtours.html
http://www.ctshk.com/english/ticket/admticket_hk.htm

TOP 10 Sights in Hong Kong 

 1. Disneyland
 2. The Peak ( includes Madame Tassaud's Wax Museum - BEST SEEN AT SUNSET/DUSK )
 3. Ocean Park
 4. Avenue of Stars ( Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront )
 5. Giant Buddha Ngong Ping Village
 6. Causeway Bay District
 7. Mongkok District
 8. Tsim Sha Tsui District   9. Central and Sheung Wan
10. Stanley / Aberdeen (Jumbo Floating Restaurant)

Additional Sights for HK Returnees (or those on a long duration trip)

1. Stanley and the scenic bus ride to it from Central
2. Nan Lian Gardens and Chilin Nunnery (Diamond Hill MTR Station)
2. Wong Tai Sin Temple (Wong Tai Sin MTR Station)
3. Kowloon City and Kowloon Walled City Park (Accessible by Bus or Taxi only)
4. Lan Kwai Fong and Midlevels (Central)
5. The Peak "Walk" (from the Peak top going back down to Central)
6. Walking with the Buddha / Wisdom Path (Ngong Pin Village)
7. Victoria and Hong Kong Park
8. Noon-day Gun (In front of Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay)
9. Seafood/Outdoor Trip to Lamma Island, Lei Yue Mun or Sai Kung
10. Museums (HK Science Museum and Museum of History)
11. Shatin (New Town Plaza, Snoopy Land and 10,000 Buddha Temple)
12. Outlying Islands (Lamma, Lantau, Peng Chau, etc)
13. Hiking in Lantau, etc.
14. Happy Valley Racecourse (every Wednesday night)

Places for Kids

1. Ocean Park (Aberdeen)
2. HK Science Museum (TST)
3. HK Space Museum (TST)
4. Snoopyworld (Shatin)
5. Noah's Ark (Feedbacks not very good)

TOP 5 Things to Do 

1. Watch the Symphony of Lights (Best seen at Avenue of Stars; 8pm Daily)
2. Ride the Peak Tram and the Century Old Tram within HK Island
3. Ride the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui or Vice Versa 
4. Eat authentic non-commercialized Hong Kong (Cantonese) food/dimsum/dessert
5. Shopping 

District Breakdown

Tsim Sha Tsui - Shopping/Tourist District, Alive until Midnight
*This district is filled with shops, malls and restaurants. Don't ask where. You will see it for yourself.
Avenue of Stars & Old Clock Tower
Star Ferry
Harbour City Shopping Complex (with Toys 'R Us and CitySuper)
Park Lane Shoppers' Boulevard
Sogo Tsim Sha Tsui
Nathan Road / Canton Road / Side Streets (Granville, Kimberley, Cameron, Carnarvon, Haiphong etc)
Knutsford Terraces
The Peninsula Hong Kong (Peninsula Group Flagship Hotel)
China Ferry Terminal (to Macau)
Museums
1881 Heritage

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/tst.pdf

Mongkok - Shopping District, Alive until Midnight
Langham Place (Mall)
Ladies Market (Tung Choi Street)
Electronics Street (Sai Yeung Choi Street)
Rubber Shoes Street (Fa Yuen Street)
Temple Street Night Market (reachable by Yau Ma Tei)
Plenty of local food stalls and small shops scattered all over

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/mok.pdf

Central - Business District in general
The Peak (Long walk from Central MTR Station)
Mid-Level Escalators
Maxim's Palace City Hall Dimsum Restaurant
IFC Shopping Mall / Pacific Place Shopping Mall
Lan Kwai Fong (Bars and nightlife)
Old Buildings and new Skycrapers
H&M
Star Ferry (to Tsim Sha Tsui)

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/cen.pdf

Causeway Bay - Shopping District, Alive until Midnight
Noon Day Gun
Times Square Mall
Sogo
World Trade Center Mall
Plus a few other smaller malls and shopping streets

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/cab.pdf

Wanchai
Wanchai Computer Center
HK Convention and Exhibition Center (Daily Flag Raising Ceremony)
HKCEC Promenade (Great for photo ops)

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/wac.pdf

Lantau Island
Disneyland
Ngong Ping Village (Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car + Giant Buddha + Po Lin Monastery)
Citygate Outlet Mall

Map: http://mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/tuc.pdf

Sha Tin
Shatin New Town Plaza Mall Complex
Snoopy's World (Inside Shatin New Town Plaza)
Biggest Ikea in HK
10,000 Buddha Temple

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/sht.pdf

OPERATING HOURS OF FAMOUS TOURIST SPOTS / SHOPPING MALLS

Disneyland: 10AM to 8PM (Regular Days) | 9AM to 9PM (Holidays / Special Days)
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/h...ndarDetailPage

Ocean Park: 930AM to 8PM
http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/...ndar/index.php

Ngong Ping 360: 10AM to 6PM (Weekdays) 9AM to 630PM (Weekends/Holidays)
Peak Tram: 7AM to 12MIDNIGHT
Peak Tower & Sky Terrace: 10AM to 11PM (Weekdays) 8AM to 11PM (Weekends/Holidays)
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong: 10AM to 10PM
Nanlian Gardens: 7AM to 9PM
Star Ferry (Central/TST): 630AM to 1130PM
HK Tramways: 6AM to 12AM
Space Museum: 1PM to 9PM (Weekdays except Tuesday) 10AM to 9PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
Science Museum: 1PM to 9PM (Weekdays except Thursday) 10AM to 9PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
History Museum: 10AM to 6PM (Weekdays except Tuesday) 10AM to 7PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
Citygate Outlets: 10AM to 10PM
Harbour City: 10AM to 9PM
Sogo: 10AM to 10PM
Times Square: 10AM to 10PM


*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS


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