Get lost in shopping heaven

After Wan Chai, head north toward Victoria Harbor and board a ferry that sails to the bustling shopping district Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. As the ferry sails away from Hong Kong island, take advantage of the peaceful moment and turn around to gaze at the harborfront's strikingly solid wall of skyscrapers.

After leaving the ferry pier, head directly to Harbour City, a gargantuan, luxury-brand shopping haven. This mega-facility unfolds with a labyrinth of escalators, hallways and boutiques with names like Escada and Hugo Boss.

Many of the world's other shopping capitals - Paris, New York, London - have all the big-name boutiques. But Hong Kong is special because of its dense concentration of famous labels. It boasts nine Gucci stores, seven Hermes and a three-level Armani Complex complete with an Armani flower shop, just for starters.

Ute Their, who works in fashion design in Germany, has traveled the world shopping for inspiration. In Paris or Florence, she said, there is a lot of distance between high-end fashion stores, which a shopper has to walk or drive.

"They are all close together here," she said, which is convenient during her brief visits.

After getting lost in the luxury brands available at Harbour City, shoppers can jump on Hong Kong's subway and take it north to the Kowloon neighborhood of Mong Kok. Crowds swarm beneath layers of flashing neon signs extending out from buildings toward the centers of the streets. Battling the crowd is worth it - here is the Ladies Fashion Market, one of the best fashion markets in Hong Kong.

At the market, some stalls display laminated catalogs of luxury accessories, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci bags. If you want to see the goods, the salesperson may lead you to an "office" nearby. Often, the display room is a room upstairs in a grungy apartment building on the main market drag. Note to potential knockoff shoppers: Follow the salesperson at your own risk. Use street-smarts and don't go alone.

The showroom is amazing. It's as though popular products from a glitzy mall were copied, shoved into one room, and given an amazing discount. Handbags line the room from floor to just above hands' reach. A table displays wallets, watches and ties.

With Hong Kong's selection of markets and mega-malls, the question isn't, "Where is the Prada?" It's: "Where is the nearest Prada?"

If You Go:

HONG KONG: http://www.discoverhongkong.com or (800) 282-4582.

MORE FROM ASIA TRAVEL

Asia Travel Section Front

Tokyo crowned gourmet capital of the world Yoga brings cultural immersion, self-knowledge Cheap and offbeat Singapore Record tourism in Tibet despite bans from '08 riot See the best of Shanghai on a shoestring Opening up the ‘Hermit Kingdom’ to the world Bangkok’s surprising touch of India Forget the shuttle, take the helicopter Top 10 luxury hotels in Asia Not-to-miss Japanese experiences Asia Travel Section Front   Add Asia Travel headlines to your news reader: