Hong Kong is lauded as a “Shopping Paradise”. Apart from the traditional markets (such as open-air markets) or stall-lined alleyways, which provide quality goods at reasonable prices, visitors can also go to modern shopping malls for products of the big brand names. Visitors in Hong Kong have a variety of products to choose from, ranging from traditional handicrafts to durable goods, and the shopping information they get, can tell us more about their shopping experience here.
-
Visitors’ Picks
-
Visitors’
Picks
The wide variety of items bought by visitors—from precious jewellery to fashionable outfits and handmade rattan goods—reflects the city’s unique blend of modernity and tradition. Let’s take a look at what visitors loved to take home from Hong Kong back then! Local traditional handicrafts were among Hong Kong’s unique souvenirs.
X1000635
“Directory of Commerce Industry Finance, Hong Kong”, 1961. The fish-net appearance of reticulated porcelain ware showed the workmanship and patience engaged.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, June 1963. Carpet trimmers weaving a carpet.
X1000635
“Directory of Commerce Industry Finance, Hong Kong”, 1963. A leaflet introducing Hong Kong’s traditional arts and crafts, and the locations of point of sale. A leaflet introducing Hong Kong’s traditional arts and crafts, and the locations of point of sale.
HKMS154-1-1263
“Arts and Crafts”, 1974. The “Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper” in Japanese introducing handicrafts in Hong Kong.
HKMS154-1-2606
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 9 No. 51, 14–20 November 1980. Hand-woven and varnished straw hats, one of the popular souvenirs at the time.
HKMS154-2-2940 Visitors attracted by a great variety of rattan crafts.
X1000136
“Hong Kong Yearbook 1981” A local craftsman carving an ivory product.
HKMS154-1-2608
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 10 No. 1, 28 November–4 December 1980. The city’s booming tourist trade resulted in a big demand for made-to-measure garment.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, November 1962. The city’s booming tourist trade resulted in a big demand for made-to-measure garment.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, November 1962. Footwear produced in Hong Kong in the 1960s were made of Thai silk, brocade fabric and velvet, etc.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, May 1963. Ready-made clothing could be found in many stores and the main shopping areas.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, September 1963. Ladies’ dresses with gorgeous fabric patterns and sophisticated styles.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, September 1963. Dresses designed in Hong Kong.
X1000134
“Hong Kong Yearbook 1967” Exquisite jewellery for sale in Hong Kong also attracted visitors’ attention.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, April 1963. Exquisite jewellery for sale in Hong Kong also attracted visitors’ attention.
X1000524
“Hong Kong Trade Bulletin”, April 1963. Jewellery shops were flourishing in Hong Kong in the 1970s. Visitors from all over the world were attracted by high quality merchandise and duty-free prices.
X1000134
“Hong Kong Yearbook 1970”
-
-
Modern Arcades
-
Modern
Arcades
In the 1960s, shopping malls such as the Ocean Terminal began to emerge in Hong Kong. Modern and glamourous shopping arcades provided visitors with convenience and endless choice. To the locals, these modern shopping malls symbolise the city’s economic achievements and prosperity. Shop windows of arcade displaying goods. (c.1963)
HKRS365-1-89-4 The Prince’s Building in Central was turned into a 29-storey office and retail tower in 1962. (1976)
HKRS1158-1-15 Pamphlet introducing shopping information in Hong Kong, such as the general opening hours of shops in Central, Causeway Bay and commercial districts in Kowloon.
HKMS154-1-262
“Hong Kong One of Life's Great Adventures”, 1982. A pamphlet described Hong Kong as a “treasure chest of gold, pearls, jade, diamonds and other gemstones in designs from traditional to contemporary”. It also mentioned that visitors would enjoy “the selection of photographic equipment, electronic goods and watches” and that Hong Kong tailors were “famous for their materials and craftsmenship”. HKMS154-1-342 “Hong Kong–The Ultimate Incentive”, c.1985. Taikoo Shing Plaza, opened in the 1980s, was a shopping arcade with a variety of restaurants and entertainment choices.
X1000136
“Hong Kong Yearbook 1987”
-
-
Exclusively for Visitors
-
Exclusively for Visitors
Hong Kong showed its hospitality through exclusively-for-visitors information and offers. Visitors were provided with shopping guides for a general idea of the prices of an array of branded goods and promotion. Shopping guide introduced recommended retail prices of various popular items, such as electrical appliances, perfumes, photographic equipment, watches, etc.
790.18 SHO 1973
“Shopping Price Guide”, 1973. Shopping guide introduced recommended retail prices of various popular items, such as electrical appliances, perfumes, photographic equipment, watches, etc.
790.18 SHO 1973
“Shopping Price Guide”, 1973. The bearer of this discount book was entitled to receive benefits, discounts, offers and privileges of a selection of shops and services, covering international hotels, major tour operators, tourist attractions and leading department stores. HKMS154-1-3167
“Hongkong V.I.P. Discount Book”, 1981.
-
-
Traditional Markets
-
Traditional
Markets
Apart from big shopping complexes, visitors would also venture into street-level shops and traditional markets for a treasure hunt. Beneath the dazzling array of souvenirs was a blend of contrasting cultures and lifestyles, which highlighted different facets of Hong Kong. Some of these markets have vanished, while others continue to operate in alternative formats. Hawker stalls on the sidewalks.
HKMS154-1-2471
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 5 No. 19, 9–15 April 1976. Located next to the Macau Ferry Pier, Tai Tat Tei (the open-air market) provided a wide range of entertainment and various food stalls at night from approximately 8pm till midnight. HKMS154-2-711
“Hong Kong Tourist Association Official Guidebook”, 1975. Located next to the Macau Ferry Pier, Tai Tat Tei (the open-air market) provided a wide range of entertainment and various food stalls at night from approximately 8pm till midnight. X1000136
“Hong Kong Yearbook 1975” From morning to noon daily, the entire stretch of pavement along Canton Road was full of jade vendors and their stalls.
HKMS154-2-2835
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 8 No. 27, 1–7 June 1979. From morning to noon daily, the entire stretch of pavement along Canton Road was full of jade vendors and their stalls.
HKMS154-2-2835
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 8 No. 27, 1–7 June 1979. From morning to noon daily, the entire stretch of pavement along Canton Road was full of jade vendors and their stalls.
HKMS154-2-2835
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 8 No. 27, 1–7 June 1979. Both locals and visitors would hunt for jades and bargain for good prices at Canton Road.
HKMS154-1-2828
“Hong Kong The Newspaper for Visitors”, Vol. 6 No. 9, 30 May–5 June 1983. Characterised by stone steps, some of the streets in Hong Kong were home to various stalls and shops.
HKMS154-2-2882
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 9 No. 27, 30 May–5 June 1980. The local market offered a wide range of goods, from rattan furniture, denim fashions, to Chinese porcelain and antiques.
HKMS154-2-2876
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 9 No. 22, 25 April–1 May 1980. Daily shopping in the market place.
HKMS154-2-2876
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 9 No. 22, 25 April–1 May 1980. A roadside bazaar.
HKMS154-1-2593
“Orient The Visitors’ Newspaper”, Vol. 9 No. 37, 8–14 August 1980.
-