Question for ladies who shop in Hong Kong

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi..Will be there for 5 days over Easter and I know the shopping is not as good but any tips welcome, not really looking for fake bags or anything just good but not really high end shopping, also anything in the cosmetic line or pharmac_ that we cannot get here or pay a lot for. Any suggestions welcome

 

[ermen]

Qn is what do you want to buy? Like you said, the shopping experience in HKG is not that good anymore. You can get relatively cheap stuff I think on the electronics, watch side of things... but it generally helps if you have a few things you are needing to buy, then plan accordingly.

I say just go to a fairly "local" mall if you not looking for high-end stuff. In that regard, maybe try Langham Place (Mongkok). Otherwise, Olympian City (Olympic MTR), City Plaza (at Taikoo MTR), Grand Millenium Plaza at Mongkok East. Or maybe hang around TST area (a few malls there - iSquare, The One...)

For some reason, mainlander tourists go to Sasa for cosmetics, and seem to clear out Watsons / Mannings pharmac_... don't know why though

There are many prescription only drugs available here OTC - maybe you want to stock up on those? They are mainly available from the more local pharmacies (plenty around everywhere) - for example, I bought some Feldene and Celebrex OTC lol (whereas in Australia they will be prescription only)...


FWIW, I go back to Australia to stock up on stuff! It's annoying they don't have big-box type department stores here (e.g. Kmart, Target, Big W...) and for some reason paracetemol is expensive here (~$0.80 in Coles, $4.00+ here!)

 

[Franky]

Mrs Franky has for many years liked to top up at the markets over in Stanley, for clothes appropriate for her, as well as the grandkids. The trip on the bus is worth the visit as well. She has always been able to get well made and well priced business clothing that suits her which have lasted well. Mr Franky also enjoys the Chinese Naval Museum just a few hundred metres away whilst she is reducing our CC balance.

 

[get me outta here]

As there is not a Uniqlo shop near me in Aus, I always go there for some basics and light weight down jackets.

 

[Viridianne]

I like Sasa for cosmetic stuff

 

[love_the_life]

As there is not a Uniqlo shop near me in Aus, I always go there for some basics and light weight down jackets.

If you know your size, they have good online sales as well.

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Mrs Franky has for many years liked to top up at the markets over in Stanley, for clothes appropriate for her, as well as the grandkids. The trip on the bus is worth the visit as well. She has always been able to get well made and well priced business clothing that suits her which have lasted well. Mr Franky also enjoys the Chinese Naval Museum just a few hundred metres away whilst she is reducing our CC balance.

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]The last time I was at the Stanley markets I wasn't very impressed at all, seemed to be a lot of tat and poorly made stuff. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.[/FONT]

 

[get me outta here]

I have bought Uniqlo things in HKG, JFK and Aus online. The sizes were all over the place.

I agree, Stanley markets have way outlived any reputation. Nothing there but rubbish, but the bus ride is really nice. I have a lot of respect for the HKG bus drivers.

If you know your size, they have good online sales as well.

The last time I was at the Stanley markets I wasn't very impressed at all, seemed to be a lot of tat and poorly made stuff. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

 

[Limewood]

Look for Babila Stores for handbags.

 

[Franky]

[The last time I was at the Stanley markets I wasn't very impressed at all, seemed to be a lot of tat and poorly made stuff. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.[/QUOTE]

Some would say that most markets have a lot of tat. You may well be looking at different stuff than my wife, but you wont find Uniqlo there..

 

[love_the_life]

Some would say that most markets have a lot of tat. You may well be looking at different stuff than my wife, but you wont find Uniqlo there..

Certainly would not be expecting Uniqlo at Stanley

 

[yohy?!]

Have a look around SOGO department stores or the Citigate outlets at Tung Chung can have some brand name bargains, cosmetics and pharma are very overpriced.

 

[BettyB]

Stanley Markets is the place I like to go. Easy to get there on the bus.

 

[equus]

Easy to get there on the bus.

For something different on the weekend, try taking the Aqua Luna junk one way, and the bus back.

 

[JMEL]

My local relatives all love to get nice clothing basics from places like Bossini, G2000, Giordano, U2, etc. They also like shoes from Bread n Butter, bags from Salad.

Japan Home Centre (JHC) is a chain store which has practical and cheap homeware bits and bobs.

If you're looking to do some outlet shopping, another option is Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau, which has about 28 storeys. Even Lane Crawford (HK's most upmarket department store) has its outlet there. I've seen reasonable prices there. Pretty easy to get there these days, with the new MTR South Island Line, or several bus routes. Nearby, there's also an official Prada & Miu Miu outlet which sometimes has good bargains. Just thought I'd throw those out there as well, although you did say you're not looking for particularly high end stuff.

Agree with the earlier advice to check out some "local" shopping centres and check out the smaller shops. Many of these are located right above MTR stations, as is the trend in Hong Kong. Examples include New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay.

That said, apart from picking up my food or tea favourites which I can't easily get in Australia, I personally don't shop much in HK anymore. I find that it just doesn't provide the same value as it used to some years ago, and the fashion isn't really my style.

 

[Ipilgrim]

Stanley Markets is the place I like to go. Easy to get there on the bus.

memories...replaced a cheap nylon parka purchased at melbourne mkts circa 1967 with a cheap stanley mkt special james oakley brand in 1988? still refuses to die...
regards
chris

 

[JMEL]

I totally forgot to add to my above post: if you're "brave" enough to venture into a traditional Chinese pharmac_ (NOT a western-style one like Watsons or Manning), you can get some wonderful items off the shelf which are far more effective than most things you could get in Australia. For example, I always stock up on a particular oil/ointment which is somehow able to rapidly reduce bleeding, swelling or bruising - by far the most versatile item in my home first aid kit. The other item I always stock up on is a highly effective mouth spray which very quickly soothes mouth ulcers and is far better than Bonjela.

Happy to provide details to OP, or anyone else who wants to know - the labels are all in Chinese of course. I'm at work now, but could post photos later.

On another note: the official Prada/Miu Miu outlet I mentioned earlier is located right next to a stinky fish/meat/veg market...only in HK, haha

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I totally forgot to add to my above post: if you're "brave" enough to venture into a traditional Chinese pharmac_ (NOT a western-style one like Watsons or Manning), you can get some wonderful items off the shelf which are far more effective than most things you could get in Australia. For example, I always stock up on a particular oil/ointment which is somehow able to rapidly reduce bleeding, swelling or bruising - by far the most versatile item in my home first aid kit. The other item I always stock up on is a highly effective mouth spray which very quickly soothes mouth ulcers and is far better than Bonjela.

Happy to provide details to OP, or anyone else who wants to know - the labels are all in Chinese of course. I'm at work now, but could post photos later.

On another note: the official Prada/Miu Miu outlet I mentioned earlier is located right next to a stinky fish/meat/veg market...only in HK, haha

Thanks all, loved reading the replies and suggestions and have written them all down...JMEL I might have at a Chinese pharmac_ so if you could send images that would be great. Will be prepared too for the stinky fish market, love a good bargain.

 

[JMEL]

Here's the photo as promised! I've tossed out the boxes for some of the items, but they really just look the same as the containers.



From L to R:
(1) The relieving spray for mouth ulcers/pain. I just love the handy nozzle design to reach the deepest corners of your mouth, haha. In Cantonese, it's pronounced "hau hong ling".
(2) That magical oil for reducing bleeding, swelling and bruising! In Cantonese, "por tung yau".
(3) Thought I'd include this one too - an excellent oil for relieving mozzie/insect bite itching. In Cantonese, "gum sui bo bo".

We HKers have been using this kind of witchcraft-looking stuff for many generations :mrgreen:

Enjoy your stay!

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Here's the photo as promised! I've tossed out the boxes for some of the items, but they really just look the same as the containers.

View attachment 95210

From L to R:
(1) The relieving spray for mouth ulcers/pain. I just love the handy nozzle design to reach the deepest corners of your mouth, haha. In Cantonese, it's pronounced "hau hong ling".
(2) That magical oil for reducing bleeding, swelling and bruising! In Cantonese, "por tung yau".
(3) Thought I'd include this one too - an excellent oil for relieving mozzie/insect bite itching. In Cantonese, "gum sui bo bo".

We HKers have been using this kind of witchcraft-looking stuff for many generations :mrgreen:

Enjoy your stay!

excellent thanks so much. I leave Thursday so will let you know how I go I also need to get something to rub into joints for arthritis so if you have any recommendations

 

[JMEL]

excellent thanks so much. I leave Thursday so will let you know how I go I also need to get something to rub into joints for arthritis so if you have any recommendations

For arthritis relief there are usually some decent oils available over the counter at Chinese pharmacies. Ask for "dit da jow" (general name for that category of oils, not a particular brand). However, for the most effective relief, people usually prefer make an appointment with a Chinese "dit da" (also called "tie da") physician, who would then provide even stronger oils which can't be obtained from a pharmac_.

I have no personal experience with arthritis, so this is just info that I've heard over the years from relatives and friends!