219 Best Shopping in Hong Kong, China

The AAA saw it before the rest of us: contemporary Asian art is big. In 2000, the Asian Art Archive set out to address the lack of information on the emerging field and to record its growth. It provides comprehensive research resources through its website, library, and reading facilities, which are open to the public.

Tours to choice stores—including little-known shops and private dealers—are available from Asian Cajun.

One of Hong Kong's best-known local designers, Barney Cheng made a name for himself with his expert tailoring and entrance-making gowns. He's crafted many a bride's dream dress, and his masterfully tailored evening gowns range from HK$40,000–HK$100,000, depending on style, detailing, and fabric. Though he still designs extravagant special-occasion ware, Cheng's services have expanded to include sophisticated menswear, exotic skins, and bespoke jewels. Consultations are available by appointment only.

Relying on word of mouth, Blanc de Chine has catered to high society and celebrities, such as actor Jackie Chan, for years. The small, refined tailoring shop neatly displays exquisite fabrics from Switzerland, France, and Italy used for tailor-made as well as ready-made women's wear, menswear, and home accessories. Items here are extravagances, but they're worth every penny.

As indicated by its brand philosophy—"Be Happy"—this Giordano competitor takes a very similar, light approach to casual clothing for women, men, and children. Expect colorful collections at the flagship store and dozens of other Bossini locations.

This Japanese chain hit town in 2008; like Milan Station, it carries secondhand goods from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, and Prada. The shop is also a member of the Association Against Counterfeit Product Distribution, a Japanese organization that uses scientific evidence to determine whether items are genuine or knockoffs.

Like its more famous competitor, Fortress, Broadway is a large electronic-goods chain. It caters primarily to the local market, so some staff members speak better English than others. Look for familiar name-brand cameras, computers, sound systems, home appliances, and mobile phones.

Homegrown Bumps to Babes has everything you could possibly need for babies and children, all in one place. In addition to familiar brands of clothing, diapers, toiletries, food, and toys, look for strollers, books, maternity wear, furniture, and more. There's also a Southside branch in Horizon Plaza.

If you’re searching for local handicrafts and worldly finds, then make a beeline for Callixto. Originally launched by Sasha Dennig as an online boutique in 2011, the store recently opened up a bright pink brick-and-mortar shop with a serious case of wanderlust. Look for jewelry from Greece, bags from India, carpets from Uzbekistan, and knickknacks from around the world.

Forget the cheesy cubic zirconium of the past. One look at its stark showrooms, and you'll see that Carat has mastered the creation and presentation of synthetic gemstones. Hand-assembled in precious-metal settings, the large collection spans various eras of jewelry styles. Harbour City houses its flagship store, but you'll also find Carat in the IFC Mall and eight other Hong Kong locations.

With a modern approach to an age-old business, a son of the Oriental Carpet Trading House family sells high-quality carpets from China, India, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at warehouse prices.

In addition to its contemporary gold, diamond, jade, and wedding collections for the local market, this manufacturer and retailer also sources international brands. It has more than 370 shops in China.

Jade is not the only thing you'll see from this local chain founded in 1929. It also has fine jewelry in diamond, jadeite, ruby, sapphire, emerald, 18K gold, and more-traditional pure gold. And don't worry about tracking one down; Chow Tai Fook has more than 85 Hong Kong locations.

The respected specialists at Christie's focus on Asian art and jewelry. Among the auctions are ones devoted to Chinese ceramics, Chinese calligraphy, and classical, modern, or contemporary paintings from around the continent.

With more than 400 shops in Asia and locations all over Hong Kong, City Chain Co. Ltd. has a wide selection of watches for various budgets, including ones by Ellesse, Cyma, and Armani.

An ice-skating rink and a multiplex theater are two of the reasons why Cityplaza is the city's most popular family mall. So popular, in fact, that it's best to steer clear on weekends, when you have to fight through the crowds. Toys and children's clothing labels are well represented, as are midrange local and international adult brands. Cityplaza also has branches of Marks & Spencer (the largest in Hong Kong), local department store Wing On, and Japanese supermarket APiTa. Popular Food Republic, with 21 Asian food stalls and mini restaurants, is perfect for a quick bite.

Hong Kong is home to myriad specialty tailors, but for something a little different, head to Classics Anew. Designer Janko Lam has won many an eco-fashion award for her lines of reimagined cheongsams. For a more casual take on the traditionally formal dress, she adds her own unique flair: discarded denim. Skeptical? You may have to see these beautiful pieces in person to appreciate the originality, but they’re definitely one-of-a-kind finds. Expect to pay between HK$1,000 and HK$1,700 for one of Janko’s handmade dresses.

Hidden away in the basement of Mira Mall, this 22,000-square-foot department store makes you feel like you’re shopping in Tokyo. The brand list doesn’t cover recognizable names, focusing instead on refreshing alternatives such as Lowrys Farm, Jeanasis, and Global Work. When the hip housewares and cool clothes have worn you out, tuck into Japanese-fusion food at Tokyo-import Wired Café.

This well-known gallery represents a small batch of modern, mostly figurative Chinese artists, though it also showcases the dreamlike work of Swedish painter Dorina Mocan and dabbles in photography. Recent exhibitions have foregrounded farflung talents, such as French artist Christian Gaillard and his unique portraits of Spanish matadors. The gallery started to push out of its—and Hong Kong's—comfort zone with the opening of Connoisseur Contemporary next door in 2008; it features the often controversial creative output of the sociopolitical group referred to as the "eighties generation"—mainland Chinese emerging artists born in the 1980s under the one-child policy and known for subversive works.

If this quality weekend wear seems similar to a European label with a similar logo, that's because it is. Nevertheless, the Crocodile collections are well made and worth a look. In addition to the Wan Chai Road location, there are more than a dozen others across Hong Kong.

Longtime residents ask for popular salesman Elmen Sit when they come to Delon. He'll take you through the range carried here. Sit also demystifies various bits of equipment for novices—he'll even tell you what you don't need. Prices are good, but not amazingly cheap.

As Apple Authorized Resellers, DG Lifestyle stores carry the latest iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch products. In addition to Apple products, find high-design gadgets, accessories, and software by other brands; these add-ons meld with the sleek design philosophy.

A longtime cashmere manufacturer and retailer, Dorfit caters to a variety of men's, women's, and children's tastes. Knitwear here comes in pure cashmere as well as blends, so be sure to ask which is which.

Everything about Edward Chiu is fabulous, from the flamboyant way he dresses to his high-end jade jewelry. The minimalist, geometric pieces use the entire jade spectrum, from deep greens to surprising lavenders. Inspired in part by art deco, Chiu is also famous for contrasting black-and-white jade, setting it in precious metals, and adding diamond or pearl touches.

At this deep emporium of watch brands, seek the advice of one of the older staffers who look like they've been there since the British landed. Brands include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, and Tudor.

With luxury watch collectors in mind, Elegant Watch is an authorized dealer of more than 35 top brands such as Tag Heuer, Breitling, Franck Muller, and more.

This upscale shopping mall is in the Kowloon West residential and commercial district, just above Kowloon's Airport Express train and check-in station. Beautifully designed, it's divided into five different zones based on the titular elements: metal, wood, water, earth, and fire. This is one-stop shopping as far as international luxury brands are concerned, with Valentino, Prada, and Gucci, just to name a few.

Locally owned and designed Episode collections focus on accessories and elegant clothing for working women and Hong Kong "tai tais" (aka ladies who lunch). The looks tend to be simple yet elegant, with an emphasis on high-quality cashmere and knits, stylish business attire, and flowy weekend dresses—beautiful tailoring is a hallmark of the brand. Episode has a second store in Harbour City.

The Sheung Wan area is a quaint and pungent place to shop for traditional Chinese herbs and medicines, but this reliable Asia-wide chain—in operation since 1879—is a more straightforward and sanitized option. There are branches all over Hong Kong, including one past immigration in the airport's Terminal One.