219 Best Places to Shop in Hong Kong, China

Works by diverse emerging and established artists from Indonesia, Thailand, mainland China, Hong Kong, and other Asian and European countries reveal the aesthetic tastes of lively Hong Kong designer and entrepreneur Sin Sin Man. There are also regular exhibitions and artist talks.

Run by the same family for more than a century, this eclectic department store has several local claims to fame: it was the first store in Hong Kong to give paid days off to employees, the first to hire women in sales positions (beginning with the founder's wife and sister-in-law), and the first to establish a fixed-price policy backed up by the regionally novel idea of issuing receipts. Although you probably won't have heard of its clothing or electronics brands, you might come across a bargain in one of its five locations throughout Hong Kong.

A lynchpin of the Causeway Bay shopping scene, Japanese brand Sogo's main branch has 16 floors of clothing, housewares, and personal-care items. The selection of street wear, makeup, and accessories is particularly strong, with a dazzling variety of Asian and international labels represented. A vast basement-level grocery store keeps the Japanese expat community happily fed.

Walk past busy garages and funky murals in this industrial Hong Kong area to find the chic atelier of Korean-English ex-lawyer Sonjia Norman. The designer crafts quietly luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces and modified vintage clothing under the Sonjia label. Her clothes are the epitome of understated wealth, plus the boutique also offers an array of jewelry, scarves, and home accessories.

The respected auction house opened here in 1973 and has operated its own 15,000-square-foot gallery since 2012. Come for lectures, exhibitions, cultural events, and for the rare chance to gaze upon Sotheby's diamonds. If you’re feeling flush, consider attending an auction (dates for upcoming ones are posted on the website); paintings, ceramics, watches, and wine are only some of the items that go up on the block.

Check out the Sporthouse chain for trendy sneakers and other casual footwear by brands like Nike, Puma, Adidas, Converse, and Birkenstock.

Local bad boy Henry Lau brings an edgy attitude to his fashion for men and women. Bold and often dark, with a touch of bling, his clothing and accessories lines are not for the fainthearted. In Central, you can visit the store at 125 Wellington Street.

Right next to the Star Ferry and part of the Harbour City megamall complex, Star Annex has one whole floor, dubbed the "AV Zone," dedicated to computers. It is small and manageable for those with weary feet, but you'll have to look carefully to find bargains.

Discreetly tucked in a corner of Central, Super Star looks like any other small Hong Kong jewelry shop—with walls lined by display cases filled with the usual classic designs (old-fashioned to some) in predominantly gold and precious stones. What makes them stand out are the good prices and personalized service. The cultured pearls and mixed strands of colored freshwater pearls are not all shown, so ask Lily or one of her colleagues to bring them out.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Tai Ping is highly regarded for its custom-made rugs and wall-to-wall carpets. It takes 2½ to 3 months to make specially ordered carpets; you can specify color, thickness, and even the direction of the weave. Tai Ping's occasional sales—where you can find a sampling of ready-made rugs marked down at least 20%—are well worth attending.

A regular in Hong Kong high society, Sir David Tang recently opened lifestyle boutique Tang Tang Tang Tang (meant to be sung like Beethoven’s Fifth). The entrepreneur is also behind classy China Club and iconic Shanghai Tang, so you know this spot is going to be good. Settled right under The Pawn’s heritage facade, TTTT is all about throwback colonial decor, with a creative western twist and a touch of whimsy. There are even daily tours of the ground floor (built in 1888 and originally home to the Lo family pawnshop) to show off the preserved staircase and architectural elements. As for the collection, it’s all very retro chic—even the rice maker has been classed up beyond recognition. TTTT is great for cheeky gifts, comfy pajamas, funky gadgets, and housewares that marry past and present with eye-catching results.

Unusual old and new objects from around the globe are sold at the Tào Gallery. Look for black-and-white photography and contemporary or rustic art, as well as furniture that conveys an eclectic Asian spirit. Find them near the steps below Man Mo Temple, just off of Hollywood Road.

Unusual colored "connoisseur" gemstones are set by hand in custom designs by Hong Kong–based jeweler Tayma Page Allies. The collection is designed to bring out the personality of the individual wearer, and includes oversize cocktail rings, distinctive bracelets, pretty earrings, and more.

Teresa Coleman specializes in finely woven and embroidered costumes and textiles from the imperial courts of the Qing and Ming dynasties (circa 1368–1912). The centrally located gallery also displays a wide collection of Tibetan rugs, Himalayan Buddhist art, antique painted and carved fans, lacquered boxes, prints, and paintings. There's a small ground-floor gallery that's open for walk-ins, as well as a spacious gallery on the upper floor that's by appointment only.

At this extension of Teresa Coleman Fine Arts you'll find antique Tibetan thangkas (Buddhist paintings), as well as bronzes, textiles, and exquisite rugs on display. Manager Josephine Chan is also a restoration expert.

Boho bags, bold jewelry, stylish sunglasses: The9thMuse is a treasure trove of accessories, sourced by twentysomethings Jing Zhang and Charlotte Hwang. Find jewelry from far-flung destinations that the pair stumbled upon while traveling, plus plenty of guilt-free, socially conscious brands that kick back funds to the creators. The sale rack in the back usually has some great deals on purses, scarves, and such—and it's not unlikely you'll find a pop-up shop featuring a local designer.

This Taiwanese brand has taken modern Chinese glass art global. Glassworks here are made using the laborious lost-wax casting technique, employed by artists for centuries to create a bronze replica of an original wax or clay sculpture. The collection—which includes tableware, paperweights, glass Buddhas, and jewelry—can be purchased in Lane Crawford department stores.

British fashion favorite Topshop opened a gargantuan space in the middle of the Central Business District in 2013. The 14,000-square-foot flagship store fills two stories, with a constant rotation of 300 new pieces a week. The place gets packed on weekends, so consider booking a free personal-shopping appointment with one of Topshop's stylists.

One of the big Hong Kong chains, TSL (Tse Sui Luen) specializes in diamond jewelry, and manufactures, retails, and exports its designs. Its range of 100-facet stones includes the Estrella cut, which reflects nine symmetrical hearts and comes with international certification. Although its contemporary designs use platinum settings, TSL also sells pure, bright, yellow-gold items targeted at Chinese customers.

If you are a Giordano or Bossini fan, don't miss this Japanese chain. Uniqlo carries a wide variety of inexpensive, fashionable casual wear for women, men, and children. New locations have been opening rapidly throughout the city since 2007. Popular items include T-shirts, jeans, and pajamas.

Modern and minimalist, VEIN on the Yard's decor is in perfect harmony with its Nordic apparel. The combination boutique and gallery on St. Francis Yard is a spinoff of Vein, and offers up a mix of Scandinavian luxury labels and home accessories. The lineup changes every four to six weeks, but you can usually find at least a dozen stalwart, simple-yet-elegant brands, including Filippa K and Won Hundred. Expect straight lines, a gray-scale palette, and unexpected splashes of color.

As you walk along Hollywood Road past the art galleries and wine bars, take time to wander down the steep side streets. On Peel Street you'll stumble upon this one-of-a-kind treasure, which is marked by a black-and-white sign visible from Hollywood. Inside, crinkly posters, love-worn leather, and a stash of antique knickknacks will transport you to the 1970s and beyond. From retro cameras to clocks, belts to blouses, Dior to Marc Jacobs, this is a trove of near-mint-condition consignment pieces.

You know it when you walk into a Vivienne Tam boutique—the strong Asian-motif prints and modern updates of traditional women's clothing are truly distinct. But don't let the bold, ready-to-wear collections distract you from the very pretty accessories, which include leather handbags and other items with artistic embellishments. Tam, who has seven shops here, is one of the best-known designers in Hong Kong—and, even though she's now based in New York, the city still claims her as its own.

Chan is known for excellent-quality suits and shirts in classic cuts and has an array of fine European fabrics. It's comforting to know that you'll be measured and fitted by the same master tailor from start to finish. The store features a mirrored, hexagonal changing room so you can check every angle. Tailors from here travel to the United States several times a year to fill orders for their customers; if you have a suit made and leave your address, they'll let you know when they plan to visit.

Quirky travel gear, handsome leather goods, hipster accessories: W.O.A.W. (World of Amazing Wonders) stocks an array of smart and stylish items. Started by serial entrepreneur, clothing designer, and all-around cool guy Kevin Poon, this lifestyle concept store promises to surprise you with up-and-coming brands like Native Union (a techy design brand pumping out funky and functional gadgets), plus some staple international picks like Hershel bags and Karen Walker shades.

This reliable manufacturer and retailer of predominantly handcrafted ceramics has been in operation since the early days of trade with the West (1863). There are more than 15,000 items on display in the main showroom, and the overwhelmingly large product line includes antique replicas, vases, dinnerware, figurines, and more—all in classic Chinese motifs. You can also visit the shop in the Lee Roy Commercial Building on Hollywood Road.

You can find decent deals on computer goods and accessories in the labyrinth of shops spanning several floors. It's not as easy to negotiate prices here as it once was, but there are technicians who can help you put together a computer in less than a day if you're rushed; otherwise, two days is normal. The starting price is around HK$3,250 depending on the hardware, processor, and peripherals you choose. This is a great resource, whether you're a techno-buff who's interested in assembling your own computer (a popular pastime in Hong Kong) or a technophobe looking for quality headphones.

Spread over the city, this chain—the CVS of Hong Kong—sells western medicines, health and beauty items, plus a selection of traditional Chinese products. Some branches also have pharmacies.

Run by affable expert Jonathan Wattis and his wife Vicky since 1988, Wattis Fine Art specializes in antique maps and prints and photographs of Hong Kong, China, and Southeast Asia.

This redbrick Edwardian-style building in the Sheung Wan district is a declared monument and the oldest existing market building in Hong Kong; when built in 1906 it was used as a produce market. These days, kitschy commerce dominates its ground floor, where a few unmemorable shops sell crafts, toys, jewelry, and collectibles. Skip these, and head up the escalator, where you'll find a remarkable selection of fabric: satins, silks, and sequins are all here and worth a look. A more authentic experience is lunch, dinner, or high tea in the Grand Stage Ballroom Restaurant on the top floor. After a great Chinese meal, you can while away the afternoon with the old-timers trotting around the room to a live band belting out the cha-cha and tango. The restaurant is also a popular spot for weddings and receptions. Visit in the evening, and you're likely to snap up cashmere and chiffon while a violin sings overhead.