Hong Kong is world famous for its shopping, but now every city in the world has swanky malls with designer shops and expensive boutiques, it’s lost some of that appeal. You may as well be in Newcastle or New South Wales. Luckily for you, we’ve found some alternative places which are cheap and unique.

HOME ENTERTAINMENT – 188 MALL

If you think CDs, DVDs and video games are expensive in Hong Kong you’ve obviously not ventured away from the high street chains. The best place for all of these under one roof is the 188 mall in Wan Chai. Here you can find two floors of the latest music, games, DVDs and Blu-Ray at a snip of the retail price. They’re all legit and also have shops selling classics, imports and collectors items too, as well as clothes, import magazines and snacks for if you get peckish. To get there take the MTR to Wan Chai, leave out of exit A2, walk right for a few minutes and where the road forks stick to the right side on Wan Chai Road, walk a little further and pass an old instrument shop. A few paces further you’ll see number 188, an entrance with a man selling torches, batteries and the like. Head in and up and shop. You’ll never go back to the big boys once you’ve been here. 188 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai.

MAGAZINES – FENWICK PIER

Brouhaha’s free, so we’ve got that covered. If you can’t wait another month for some more quality reading matter they you no doubt head to the high street stores to get the best international magazines. Go to a bookstore or music shop and you’ll pay $70-100 per publication. However, if you want the world’s best magazines at a direct price conversion from US$ or GBP to HK$ then head to Fenwick Pier, between Wan Chai and Admiralty. The second floor has shops for visiting American servicemen but if you’re in there picking up GQ, Horse World and Playboy at great prices they’re not fussed about your US Navy credentials. When you’ve got your mags, head to the luxury hot chocolate bar, Vero, in the same building and blow the money you saved on the best hot chocolate in Hong Kong whilst thumbing Poodles Monthly.

CLOTHES – BANG BANG! 70

Vintage clothes, vintage décor, two wonderful cats and a classic Gran Turino parked outside. If that doesn’t tickle you pink then you might as well die. Sat comfortably on the first floor of 16/A Aberdeen Street in SoHo, the cosy and homely store sells vintage stuff from clothes to sunglasses to jewellery and many more. Originally situated in TST, Bang Bang! is a gem in the rough when it comes to authentic vintage items. There are a few vintage stores dotted throughout this fair city but what makes this place unique is the fact that it’s got lovely, soft cats that rub your ankles as you browse the store’s wares. Also the fact that what they sell is pretty neat. Oh and also that it’s run by brothers which for some reason makes it all the better. So if you’re in need to dress like a disco diva, a disco slimeball or a disco ball, head on over.

Hong Kong. A city where you can live in a bubble, doing the same things week in – week out. It’s easy to go to Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. It’s where you were first shown when you arrived and it’s where your colleagues were shown first too. So on a Friday night you head there, again, and spend a small fortune on expensive drinks and retread the same small square footage.

Here’s a short guide that offers alternatives. Alternative places to drink, alternative places to shop, a change of scenery for sightseeing and information on all the Facebook groups you need to sign up to in order to know these things are happening in the first place. Here is A Design for Life.

Words: Brouhaha with Michelle Kwan & Henry Mullins • Illustrations: 1kstyles

Tags: design for life, shopping
Posted in Features