Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [102]
LANE CRAWFORD
Map Department Store
2118 3388; Level 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St; MTR Central (exit A)
This branch of Hong Kong’s original Western-style department store, the territory’s answer to Harrods in London, is the flagship now that the store located on Queen’s Rd Central has closed. There are also branches in Admiralty ( Map; 2118 3668; 1st & 2nd fls, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway), Causeway Bay ( Map; 2118 3638; Ground & 1st fls, Times Sq, 1 Matheson St) and Tsim Sha Tsui ( Map; 2118 3428; Ground & 1st fls, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Salisbury Rd).
SWANK
Map Department Store
2868 3804 (ladies), 2810 0769; Shop 202, 2nd fl, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Rd; MTR Central (exit H)
A long-standing fashion powerhouse, the Swank stocks a good range of established, mainly European labels, including Kenzo, Sonia Rykiel, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy, plus a smattering of up-and-coming talent from Hong Kong and the world’s fashion centres.
OCEAN OPTICAL
Map Eyewear
2868 5670; Shop 5, Ground fl, Cascade, Standard Chartered Bank Bldg, 4-4A Des Voeux Rd Central; MTR Central (exit G)
Both frames and lenses can be cheaper (in some case, much cheaper) in Hong Kong than what you would pay at home, and we do not know of a better optician in Hong Kong than Ocean Optical. There’s a branch in Tsim Sha Tsui ( Map; 2735 0611; Shop 326, 3rd fl, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3-9 Canton Rd).
FOOK MING TONG TEA SHOP
Map Food & Drink
2295 0368; Shop 3006, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St; MTR Central (exit A)
Tea-making accoutrements and carefully chosen teas of various ages and grades, from gunpowder to Nanyan Ti Guan Yin Crown Grade – costing anything from $10 to $9000 per 100g.
OLYMPIA GRAECO-EGYPTIAN COFFEE
Map Food & Drink
2522 4653; Ground fl, 24 Old Bailey St; closed Sun; 26
This place has been around since, well, anyone can remember, and it still grinds the best beans in town.
THREE SIXTY
Map Food & Drink
2111 4480; 3rd & 4th fls, Landmark Bldg, 1 Pedder St; MTR Central (exit G)
A fabulous addition to Hong Kong’s food scene, Three Sixty sells a great range of organic and natural foods, as well as top-notch imports of hard-to-find ingredients from all over the world. The prices, of course, are high. There’s also a terrific food court with cuisine from all over the world on the upper floor.
LIULIGONGFANG
Map Gifts & Souvenirs
2973 0820; Shop 20-22, Ground fl, Central Bldg, 1-3 Pedder St; MTR Central
Exquisite coloured-glass objects, both practical (vases, candle holders, jewellery) and ornamental (figurines, crystal Buddhas, breathtaking sculptures) from renowned Taiwanese glass sculptor Loretta Yang Hui-Shan are on display and for sale here. There’s another branch in Admiralty ( Map; 2918 9001; Shop 320, 3rd fl, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway).
MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT
Map Gifts & Souvenirs
2523 2817; 12 Wo On Lane; closed Sun; MTR Central
This is one of the nicest shops in the city for folk craft. It’s piled with bolts of batik and sarongs, clothing, wood carvings, lacquerware and papercuts made by ethnic minorities in China and other Asian countries. The shop attendants are friendly, and prices, while not cheap, are not outrageous either.
PICTURE THIS
Map Gifts & Souvenirs
2525 2820; Shop 212, Prince’s Bldg, 10 Chater Rd, Central; MTR Central (exit H)
The vintage Hong Kong posters, photographs, reproductions and antique maps on sale here make great souvenirs or gifts, but they are on the pricey side.
WAH TUNG CHINA ARTS
Map Gifts & Souvenirs
2543 2823; 59 Hollywood Rd; closed Sun; 26
Wah Tung, the world’s largest supplier of hand-decorated ceramics, has some 18,000 items on display at this showroom, just east of Pacific Place. You’ll find everything from brightly painted vases and ginger jars to reproduction Tang-dynasty figurines.
KING FOOK
Map Jewellery
2822 8573; Ground fl, King Fook Bldg, 30-32 Des Voeux Rd Central; MTR Central (exit C)
King Fook, with a grandiose gilded entrance, stocks a large range of watches, top-end fountain pens and baubles. There