Shopping in Hong Kong is a dream come true for some. For others (such as this correspondent) it is a consumerist nightmare to be avoided at all costs. Pacific Place, in Admiralty, is a gigantic complex of upmarket shops that connects to other gigantic complexes by a flyway. In Causeway Bay, the entire district around the Times Square shopping tower is retail space. In Kowloon, up and down Nathan Road, it continues. After long and diligent research, we have come to the conclusion that the wisest buys in Hong Kong are in fact just beyond Hong Kong. We have highlighted some ideas for gifts and where to find them.

Hong Kong Island
Practically the whole of Hong Kong Island is a shopper's paradise. With its many, many sales at Central, Western District and Admiralty, there are many, many bargains to be had.

Central
Quaint old traditional markets provide the vivid contrast to the shiny new skyscrapers which houses the many designer boutiques. Designer shops and exclusive labels are a dime a dozen here, and lots of foreign tourists usually come here to restock and update their wardrobe. The many stalls at "The Lanes" peddle everything from cheap clothing, watches, costume jewellery to luggage and shoes. Rain or shine, the markets stay open every day, from 10 a.m. until 7.00 p.m. Photography enthusiasts inevitably make a beeline for Stanley Street, and little wonder, since there's such a wide array of equipment on sale there. For antiques, head for Hollywood Road. A little to the west, sidewalk hawkers take pride of place.

Western District
Interested in getting some lovely fabric or Chinese handicraft? Then Western Market is just the place to visit. The building itself is something of an attraction, with its Edwardian design and architecture. Move farther west, and you'll find that Chinese-style shops dominate the view, with their dried seafood and medicinal herbs. Antiques can also be had here, at the Cat Street Bazaar, where you'll find and a dazzling array of old coins, watches and stone carvings, sold at the shops and stalls.

Admiralty
Another area for branded luxury items with the Pacific Place topping the list of popular shopping destinations. It has more than 130 outlets, including the famed Marks & Spencer, Lane Crawford and Seibu.

Wan Chai & Causeway Bay:
Lovely rattan and Chinese furniture await you at Wan Chai and there are shops that sell products specially for export. Causeway Bay is locally known as "Little Japan" because of the major Japanese department stores that specialize in electrical goods, shoes and fashion for the young.

Tai Koo Shing:
Over in Quarry Bay, you'll be able to find one of Hong Kong's largest shopping complexes - the Cityplaza. It has an ice-skating rink, entertainment outlets and the usual retail and department stores. Located right above the Tai Koo MTR Station.

Ap Lei Chau:
The area near Aberdeen is good hunting ground for discount furniture and clothing warehouses and the Horizon Plaza houses many furniture and clothing factory outlets.

Malls & Shopping Center

Times Square:
This stylish center offers nine "themed" floors of shopping, including the Casual Living floor, the Home Furnishings floor, the Sports and Leisure floor, the Electronics floor, the Family Land floor with a play area and shops selling toys and children's clothing, and even several Food Forum floors with branches of well-known restaurants. Marks & Spencer and Lane Crawford department stores are also here.

Pacific Place:
Pacific Place is the largest and most ambitious commercial project to hit Central; in fact, it has shifted the city center toward the east. Besides three hotels, Pacific Place has a mall with 200 retail outlets and restaurants and three major department stores (Marks & Spencer, Lane Crawford, and Seibu). Outlets include the Body Shop, Cartier, Cerruti 1881, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, Vivienne Tam, Plantation, Prada, Shu Uemura, Tiffany & Co., and Chinese Arts and Crafts Ltd. Most shops are open daily about 10:30am to 8pm.

Harbour City:
This is the largest of the mega-malls, and probably the largest in Asia. Conveniently located right next to the dock that disgorges passengers from cruise liners and just to the east of the Star Ferry, it encompasses several zoned areas: Zone A, Zone B (Ocean Centre), Zone C (Ocean Terminal), and Zone D (the Hongkong Hotel Arcade), all interconnected by air-conditioned walkways and stretching more than half a mile along Canton Road.

Altogether there are more than 700 outlets, with shops selling clothing, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, antiques, electronic goods, furniture, housewares, toys, Asian arts and crafts, and much more.

New World Centre:
Located next to the Regent Hotel on the waterfront and catering to a local market, this shopping complex has outlets on several floors, with shops selling curios, clothing, accessories, and more. There are two department stores and many restaurants