Top Rated Shopping in Hong Kong

Also known as Women's Street because it used to sell goods only for women, Tung Choi Street is similar to Temple Street Night Market, except that it starts its trading day at noon. In addition to the street stalls, which sell anything from furiously beeping alarm clocks and glittering faux designer watches to unisex clothes and CDs, there are also lots of small shops that sell all sorts of other stuff. The market is generally quite crowded, and a bit of pushing is just as expected as haggling over prices. Ladies' Market is situated in the southern part of the Tung Choi Street.

The name should automatically conjure up rarefied pictures of equestrian weekend gatherings made up of the beautiful rich, all attired in honey-colored leathers, and beige suede and cashmeres. The ties and ascots will be flourishes of color, the shoes and riding boots will be immaculate and even the teacups seem out of some neo-classical English oil painting. Yes, you can certainly decorate this fantasy, and many others, from the Hermès shop in Central. Just walking into it is an almost pastoral sensation, from the chaos of Hong Kong outside. All is a hushed understatement and the prices are extreme.

Ralph Lauren's flagship Hong Kong shop may look intimidating from the street but it is worth taking a breath and entering the luscious retreat of the interior. Men go upstairs, into an inner sanctum of style; all dark wood paneling, rich cottons, linens, mouth-watering colors and textures. To make it worth the price tag, linger longer in the comfy lounge chairs and read a few magazines. This is what shopping used to be like, and this is one of the few places in Hong Kong where "bustle" and "rush" are foreign words.

The classy Elements Mall is located above the Kowloon MTR station, which is also functions as a stop on Hong Kong's Airport Express service. The mall, which offers access to two luxury hotels (the W Hotel and the Ritz Carlton) offers nearly a million square feet of dining and retail space. Elements uses the five elements of Chinese philosophy as its central theme. Hence, the mall is divided into five sections: the Metal section (which hosts luxury goods and fine dining outlets), the Water section (which hosts outlets that retail modern fashions and international eats), the Wood section (which plays host to outlets that retail health and beauty products), the Earth section (which is home to many fashion outlets), and the Fire section (which offers an Ice Rink and the Grand Cinemas).

For trendy, casual, young men's clothing, check out Esprit, long known for its women's lines, but now making efforts to lure Hong Kong's fashion boys up a step from Giordano or the Mongkok rag markets. With multiple locations around town, Esprit's bright, simple shops offer a limited, but well-designed selection of basics like jeans, t-shirts, shirts and sweaters, plus a few informal shoes and some well-priced accessories such as belts and wallets.

Gucci shops are always a pleasure, if one can endure the rehearsed snobbism of the sales staff. Antiseptically cool, it makes viewing all the delicious leather and silver accessories, or some of those sleek, narrow shoes, an intensely visual experience. A few suits are also discreetly available, near the back, but you will have to ask. Gaze at the cufflinks for lessons in pure aesthetics, but do not salivate on the display cases or one of the slim, beautifully attired assistants might call the security. Additional locations: The Peninsula, Tsim Sha Tsui.