Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [103]
ROCK CANDY
Map Jewellery
2549 1018; 1 Elgin St, Soho; 26
Made from black glass and with pin-prick lights illuminating display cases, this goth-glam jewellery shop (and its ubertrendy gewgaws) has to be seen to be believed.
TSE SUI LUEN
Map Jewellery
2921 8800; Ground fl, Commercial House, 35 Queen’s Rd Central; MTR Central (exit D2)
This is the most sparkling of Tse Sui Luen’s dozen or so outlets and is worth visiting for its sheer opulence or garishness – however you see it. There’s another branch in Tsim Sha Tsui ( Map; 2926 3210; Shop A & B, Ground fl, 190 Nathan Rd).
HMV
Map Music
2739 0268; 1st fl, Central Bldg, 1-3 Pedder St; MTR Central (exit D1)
This Aladdin’s cave of music not only has Hong Kong’s largest choice of CDs, DVDs and cassettes but also a great range of music-related literature. There are branches in Causeway Bay ( Map; 2504 3669; 1st fl, Style House, Park Lane Hotel, cnr Gloucester Rd & Great George St) and Tsim Sha Tsui ( Map; 2302 0122; 2nd fl, HK Pacific Centre, 28 Hankow Rd).
EVERBEST PHOTO SUPPLIES
Map Photographic Equipment
2522 1985; 28B Stanley St; MTR Central, exit D2
This extremely reliable shop is where many of Hong Kong’s professional photographers buy their equipment. Same day or next-day China visas are an odd but useful sideline here.
PHOTO SCIENTIFIC
Map Photographic Equipment
2525 0550; 6 Stanley St; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat; MTR Central (exit D2)
This is the favourite of Hong Kong’s pro photographers. You’ll almost certainly find equipment elsewhere for less, but Photo Scientific has a rock-solid reputation with labelled prices, no bargaining, no arguing and no cheating.
PEDDER RED Map Shoes, Accessories
2118 3712; 64-66 Wellington St, Central; 10am-6.30pm; MTR Central (exit D1)
This is the flagship for a small local chain called On Pedder that specialises in its own and other (famous brand) shoes and accessories for women. Perhaps the best place for shoes in Hong Kong.
IFC MALL
Map Shopping Mall
2295 3308; www.ifc.com.hk; 8 Finance St; MTR Hong Kong, exit F
As if Central didn’t have nearly enough luxury retail space already, this swanky shopping centre was built. It boasts 200 high-fashion boutiques linking the One and Two IFC towers and the Four Seasons Hotel. Outlets include Patrick Cox, Geiger, Longchamp, Kenzo, Vivienne Tam, Zegna… we could go on. The Hong Kong Airport Express Station is downstairs.
LANDMARK
Map Shopping Mall
2525 4142; www.centralhk.com; 1 Pedder St; MTR Central, exit G
The most central of all shopping centres, the Landmark has high fashion and good eating in a pleasant, open space. It has become a home almost exclusively to the very high-end fashion brands and boutiques (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, TODs etc) and a handful of worthwhile refreshment stops.
PRINCE’S BUILDING
Map Shopping Mall
2504 0704; www.centralhk.com; 10 Chater Rd; MTR Central, exit K
You may find the layout of Prince’s Building disorienting, but it’s worth a look for its speciality fashion, toy and kitchenware shops. The selection is rather eclectic – from high-end boutiques such as Chanel and Cartier on the ground floor to book-sellers, Mothercare, jewellers, stationers and luggage shops on the levels above. It’s an especially good place to bring the kids, as almost the entire 3rd floor is given over to children’s shops.
CITY CHAIN
Map Watches
2259 9020; Ground fl, Man Yee Bldg, 67 Queen’s Rd Central; MTR Central (exit D2)
City Chain stocks every type of wristwatch imaginable – from the stylish and dressy to the funky and glitzy. It has some two-dozen outlets in Hong Kong, including one in Admiralty ( Map; 2845 9403; Shop 112, 1st fl, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway).
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ADMIRALTY & WAN CHAI
Admiralty, bordering Wan Chai, has one of Hong Kong Island’s glitziest shopping malls, Pacific Place, just opposite Admiralty station, to which it is connected by elevated and underground walkways.
Wan Chai is a good spot for medium and low-priced