317 Best Places to Shop in China

He Yan's design philosophy is stated in her label: "bu yan bu yu" ("no talking"). Her linen and cotton tunics and collarless jackets speak for themselves. With their earth tones, aubergine hues, peacock patterns, He Yan's designs echo traditional Tibetan styles.

Ningbo's crème de la crème shop for luxury items at posh Heyi Avenue stores such as Gucci, Dior, Armani, Montblanc, and Swarovski. There's plenty of riverfront dining and nightlife, too.

Pleasantly quirky but with a finger firmly on the pulse of the city, this small design brand emporium has its flagship in NoHo (North of Hollywood Road), one of Central's up and coming nooks. The store showcases some of its own in-house creations, but it mostly stocks pieces from modern-day design icons. Come here to pick up a Tom Dixon bowler-hat lampshade or a Pac Man–shape oven glove by Fred. Try its basement café for brunch on Saturday.

The art world's version of a pub crawl, Hong Kong Art Walk is an excellent chance to experience the gallery scene. Held over the course of one evening every year, usually in the spring, it gives ticket holders unlimited access to more than 70 galleries where food and drinks donated by neighboring restaurants help create a festive environment. Partial proceeds go to charity, fine arts graduation shows, and participating artists.

This traditional family-run drug store has been operating here for more than 70 years. Inside, arcane displays and cabinets are stocked with thousands of herbs and other, more exotic items like antler and dried seahorses—all used to concoct Chinese medicines. Look for the English-speaking counter for foreign customers. This northern stretch of Zhongshan Lu is good for antiques, jade-carving, and other traditional businesses.

Hongqiao, or Pearl Market, is full of kitschy goods, knockoff handbags, and cheap watches, but it's best known for its namesake pearls. Freshwater, seawater, black, pink, white: the quantity is overwhelming, and quality varies by stall. Prices also range wildly, though the cheapest items are often fakes. Fanghua Pearls (4th floor, No. 4318) sells quality necklaces and earrings—with photos of Hillary Clinton and Margaret Thatcher shopping there to prove it—and has a second store devoted to fine jade and precious stones. Throughout the market, stallholders can be pushy; try to accept their haggling in the gamelike spirit it's intended. Or wear headphones and drown them out.

With multiple floors of high-end fashion and housewares, though skewing more to the latter, the huge Horizon Plaza is an outlet mall for local and international designer brands.

Co-owner Marybelle Hu worked at Taipei's National Palace Museum as well as Sotheby's in Los Angeles before opening this shop with her sister-in-law Lin in 1998. The bright, airy showroom contains Tibetan chests and other rich furniture as well as a large selection of accessories, from lanterns to mooncake molds. The prices are higher than their competitors', but so is their standard of service.

In the alley leading to the Great Mosque, the Hua Jue Xiang Market is one of the best places to find souvenirs. From embroidered bags and trinkets to lamps and musical wooden frogs, all kinds of wares are available for sale. Expect the antique you're eyeing to be fake, no matter how vehemently the vendor insists that your find is "genuine Ming Dynasty."

Across the street from Causeway Bay's popular Sogo looms neighborhood newcomer Hysan Place. This gleaming 17-story mall devotes the fourth and fifth floors to Japanese and Korean designers. Try on urban-chic garb from Beams, Dickies, or Rains, then head up to the sixth floor for pampering. Dubbed the Garden of Eden, this level is overflowing with name-brand beauty products, lingerie shops, dessert counters, and nail salons. For a fix of fresh air, step out onto the Sky Garden on the fourth level, or slip into the three-level Eslite bookstore to relax with a book and a cuppa.

Championing fashion innovation, this avant-garde men's and women's concept store carries a vast selection of top international and local designers. Walking through its sprawling four floors is an experience in itself—it's divided by brands, and each brand has a distinct, artistic space. Whether you're looking for a wild new ensemble from Comme des Garçons, or funky sunglasses from in-house brand Neith, you're likely to find something special here.

Packed with designer boutiques and the department store Lane Crawford, IFC Mall sits above the Hong Kong MTR station with its in-town airport check-in desks, and connects to the Four Seasons Hotel. Leisure facilities include a plush cinema multiplex and a roof terrace with stunning harbor views.

Like its Hong Kong sister, this shiny mall is packed with luxury goods stores. The basement food court has everything from octopus balls to Japanese-style crepes, as well as very expensive imported groceries. The upper levels are dotted with restaurants serving various fare, high in quality and in price.

The Lujiazui station of metro Line 2 is inside the mall.

Located just on the edge of Dashanzi (798 Art District), this complex is one of the city's many impressive "super malls." Light, airy, and with a few new stores still not open, the malls houses brands that include the GAP, H&M, and Sephora as well as the Parisian Bread and Butter and homebred earthy fashion house JNBY; there is also a branch of the excellent Page One bookstore. The indoor garden isn't much to write home about, but a gigantic outdoor park area often hosts family-friendly events.

This team of local designers creates simple but whimsical clothing with a trendy urban edge. The bags and accessories strike a soft vintage tone, fitting the store's fashionably worn interiors, casually strewn secondhand furniture, and sultry jazz soundtrack. 

Inside takes Asian concepts and motifs and transforms them into its own fresh, contemporary home accessories, soft furnishings, table linens, bath products, and gifts. Made from natural materials and fibers, the products come in signature white and sun-bleached tones with a few well-placed pops of color. There's a nice balance of luxury and casual items, with prices to match.

This popular tailoress may have the same name as the W.W. Chan women's division, but don't confuse the two. Slightly better known, this Irene Fashions' guidance and workmanship attract many expatriate women in search of everything from suits to evening wear. Service in the cluttered atmosphere may be brusque, but it's only because the tailors here know what they're talking about.

In 1987 the women's division of noted men's tailor W.W. Chan branched off and was renamed Irene Fashions. You can expect the same level of expertise and a large selection of fine fabrics. Experienced at translating ideas and pictures into clothing, in-house designers will sketch and help you develop concepts. Like its parent company, Irene promises that the same tailor will take you through the entire process, and most of the work is done onsite.

This hip micromall played a big part in putting Causeway Bay on the fashion map. Shoe-box-size boutiques fill its four cramped floors—some showcase small, local designers; others stock Japanese and Korean brands hard to find overseas. Edgy club wear competes for the space with cutesy numbers for girls who just don't want to grow up. Indeed, many of the clothes look like they'll only fit local schoolgirls, but not to worry: Island Beverley has a great selection of bags, accessories, and jewelry.

Every Sunday for most of the year, the Hong Kong Markets Association puts on the Island East Markets in Quarry Bay. The bazaar tends to draw expat crowds, and the prices on gourmet snacks and handmade goods —think jewelry, clothes, shoes, and more—reflect that. Although you probably won't bag a bargain, you will come face-to-face with talented local designers and vendors. Time your visit right and you could catch a live band performing. There's also a handy play area for little ones with a fun calendar of activities.

This Australian designer has celebrities wearing her youthful yet elegant designs. Pieces contrast cultured, South Seas, and Tahitian pearls with onyx, diamonds, quartz, and other stones.

Catering to expatriate bankers since 1972, this reputable tailor specializes in classic shirts in various fabrics and styles, from herringbone to houndstooth, with hand-sewn button shanks, customizable interlinings, and a selection of complementary neckties.

These two small parallel streets are so crammed with clothing stalls it's difficult to make your way through. Most offer bargains on the usual clothes, children's gear, bags, and cheap souvenirs like chopstick sets. The surrounding boutiques are also worth a look for local and Korean fashions, though the sizes are small.

This market sells everything from traditional Tibetan clothing to favorite local foods.

Love finding unique beauty products from around the world? Then this is the place for you, with cult perfumes, luxurious skin solutions, and new discoveries to be made. Bring your credit card—"bargain" isn't in the vocabulary here. There are several locations throughout Hong Kong, but the Central branch is one of the largest.

More salon than store, powdered elderly ladies who lunch and casually dressed tourists all come here for the same thing: quality pearls, fine jewelry, and excellent service. In addition to classic styles, K.S. Sze works closely with clients on custom orders.

Hip utilitarian bags, soft fabrics, minimalist watches, comfy kicks, music, stationery—kapok is a one-stop shop for lifestyle products and accessories from independent brands. Meanwhile, the boutique's café serves up steamy French coffee that you're welcome to sip while browsing. If you're lucky, you'll catch one of the store's many exhibitions and pop-up collaborations.

It feels like a Brutalist museum, but this beautiful space is actually a commercial contemporary art gallery. Founders Edouard Malingue and Lorraine Kiang Malingue represent both established and emerging international artists across different disciplines, from video to sound and painting. Even if you're not looking to buy anything, the on-site exhibitions and talks are worth a visit. 

When considering jewelry stores, longevity is a good thing. King Fook has been around since 1949, promising stringent quality control, quality craftsmanship, and professional service. Masterpiece by King Fook, the higher-end King Fook line, sells first-grade diamonds and precious jewelry. There are also shops at Pacific Place in Admiralty and The One on Nathan Road.

Socialite and interior designer Louise Kou's showroom is a moody mix of dark jewel tones and silver. Book an appointment and follow her through the different rooms, showcasing chinaware, silverware, furniture, art, and unique household items. When Kou can't find what she desires somewhere in the world, she simply has it custom made.