If you are looking to shop while in Hong Kong don’t forget the stop by any of the many street markets for some unique souvenirs and gift ideas. I loved the selection of T-shirts at all the different stands. They had every size too which made gift shopping a breeze. Because if the proximity to Garden Hostel I visited Bowers Street Market and Temple Street (Men’s Market) almost every other night once I knew where it was located. The Bowers Street market at sundown turns into an open air night market and the restaurants put out tables and chairs and service your order al fresco. I never ate there, thou was very tempted because it all smelled wonderful. My only purpose for the market was the shopping. I had a mission and once I am on the hunt I generally don’t stop to eat. My best buy from there where the super cute umbrellas with hard cases that everyone from home mistakes for a wine bottle. It’s a great conversational piece and it’s functional. Temple Street has many vendors offering things from jade figures, jewelry, combs, electronics; you name it you just might find it there. They seem to allow more haggling there them some of the other stands at the Bowers Street or Ladies Market. I found a very nice time piece for myself there as well for a great bargain. The ladies market on far end of Nathans Road had similar items as the market on Bowers Street. I did notice a slight markup on some of hair pieces and hand mirrors but not enough to choose one market over the other. So if you see it and you can’t live without it buy it!
If you are not the haggling kind and you like a more commercial place to shop, in TST Kowloon there are some large multilevel shopping centers with unique products, clothing and shoes dotted all over Nathans road and the surrounding areas. I picked up some groovy headphones at a music store around the corner from Mira Hotel. There are free standing outlets as well such as Esprit and Louis Vitton. No matter your budget , if you like to shop, you will love Hong Kong.
