Now is the best time for shopping in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one-of-a-kind. It stays true to the Chinese philosophy, yin and yang – two principles; one positive and one negative whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things. It is not only about the energetic city and amped up nightlife but it is also filled with hidden spots to explore for that tranquil side of the city.

Asia’s World City

The city’s diversity of products and brands in all price ranges makes it a place all-its-own. You can find everything — from luxurious malls to interesting street markets, up-to-date boutiques, traditional Chinese products stores and hip fashion districts. No wonder it is called Asia’s shopping mecca.

Cool kids shop along Cameron Road

Where else do you get the ultimate steals and discounts but Hong Kong? From July to August it gets even better! The two-month “Hong Kong Summer Festival” features irresistible sales and attractive dining promotions in various malls and department stores. Where else will you be able to find as much as 80-percent discounts on designer labels but Hong Kong?

Not convinced enough? Cathay Pacific offers special fares to Hong Kong just in time for this sale season, as well as a “Visit Hong Kong Now” package, which includes a roundtrip Manila-Hong Kong air ticket, hotel accommodations (there are 30 to choose from), plus one of the following treats: roundtrip airport/hotel transfers by seat-in-coach, Ocean Park admission ticket, a copy of the Michelin guide Hong Kong and Macau 2011 Restaurant and Hotels, Peak tram ride to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, or a HK$150 duty free shop coupon.

On my recent visit, I walked along Cameron Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and the shop mix is young and hip. Shops carry updated styles from local designers including clothes, bags and accessories. DNA along the road is a big trendy center similar to Island Beverly of Causeway Bay. Great finds from local designers are unique and up-to-the-minute. If you want to mix it up, check out K11 at 18 Hanoi Road, the world’s first art mall. It features art exhibitions from local artists and an open-air piazza. A digital sky ceiling is reason enough to visit Langham Place at 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok.

DNA complex for local fashion mix at Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Hong Kong will always be the ultimate shopping destination in Asia for me. When I was in university, it was the coolest shopping destination. Strutting the campus in Giordano jeans or a trendy Granville street find would definitely make you “in-style.” Marks and Spencer, which we called St. Michael’s then, was the mod brand for underwear. And Ralph Lauren’s polo shirts were the hip set’s staple. All of which could only be purchased in Hong Kong during the late ’80s.

In the ’90s, Hong Kong became my temporary home while I did modeling stints. Then, eventually, it became my permanent home. This gave me the opportunity to live like a local and discover their best-kept secrets.

So much has changed since I lived there but there are places that still remain - unchanged. They are my Hong Kong comfort zones.

• Eating roast goose and braised beef brisket in clear soup at Yun Kee, 32-40 Wellington Street, Central.

• Going to Wu Kong, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon for Shanghai cuisine, particularly the fresh water prawns, long beans with minced pork with a deep-fried bun and drunken pigeon.

• Getting TLC for my shoes at The Groom Shoes Repair at the Gateway, Arcade, Harbour City, Kowloon.

• Sipping tea at Fook Ming Tong Tea Shop, Shop 3225, The Gateway, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.

• Eating with the locals at Dai Pai Dong food stall, Gough Street, Central.

• Having a drink while enjoying the spectacular view of Hong Kong at Aqua Spirit, 30/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

• Night shopping at Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

Updated exteriors: Even Luk Fook Jewellery along Nathan Road is going with the times.

• Antiques shopping at Cat Street (upper Lascar Row), Sheung Wan.

• Checking out the entertainment and exhibit at Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central.

• Searching for the best buys of jade, gold and jewelry at the Jade Market, Kansu and Battery Streets, Yau Ma Tei.

• Trendy shopping for global fashion labels at I.T., Basement, 2 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay.

• Trend watching at Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk – Paterson Street, Cleveland Street, Kingston Street, and Gloucester Road.

• Of-the-moment fashion shopping from local designers at Island Beverly, 1 Great George Street.

• Furniture shopping at Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau.

If you haven’t already dropped, Hong Kong has more in store.

Hong kong’s ‘Yang’

Remember the scene in The Dark Knight when the comic book hero takes a swan dive off the top of Hong Kong Island’s highest tower, IFC2, and swoops between Central’s skyscrapers while the camera pans dramatically across the night view of Hong Kong’s towering buildings from high above the ground? While Hong Kong’s daytime skyline is impressive on its own, the character and energy of the city get amplified after dark. After dark, nearly every commercial building turns on light features of some sort. Explore the city’s fascination with lights from the neon billboards of the busy shopping districts to its famed harbor front light show. Hong Kong is home to the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, according to Guinness World Records. Every night at 8 in the evening, tourists crowd along the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui for the city’s light and sound show, “Symphony of Lights.” Loud speakers along the harbour front blare an introduction and music that plays in synch with the lights radiating from the skyscrapers. Over 40 buildings on both sides of the harbor are arranged through technology to shoot lights and lasers for the elaborate entertainment. Harbour cruises provide the best vantage point to see the sky lit up with the show’s colored beams.

Hong Kong has an ever-changing nightlife scene. Nightspots cater to everyone from one of these four areas: Lan Kwai Fong, Hollywood Road and Soho, Wan Chai or Tsim Sha Tsui’s Knutsford Terrace.

Hong kong’s “Yin”

Hong Kong is not all about the hustle and bustle. It is also full of cultural and traditional celebrations. Perhaps a traditional Chinese festival is held in nearly every month of the year. Each one is celebrated in a different part of the city with a burst of color and sound. Then, the celebration is always never complete without an abundance of delectable food. Experience true Chinese culture and get to know the other side of Hong Kong.

It is also becoming one of the region’s most influential art hubs. It is already the third-largest art auction market in the world and it has set aside nearly US$3 billion to build the West Kowloon Cultural District — a massive development according to The Wall Street Journal.

If you have more time to explore the city, go to far-flung corners of the territory for peaceful options to the more frenzied metropolis.

Hong Kong also has hideaways to explore. There’s the National Geopark in Sai Kung, which features picturesque sites with amazing geological formations. It promotes awareness of the earth sciences and preserves Hong Kong’s unique structures and landscapes. Visit www.geopark.gov.hk.

Another option is the Wetland Park located at the northern end of Tin Shui Wai. The 10,000-square-meter visitor center called Wetland Interactive World and a 60-hectare Wetland reserve is a great educational day out. Book tickets online at www.wetlandpark.com.

The Museum of Teaware remains unknown to many visitors. It is set against a backdrop of glassy skyscrapers in the 165-year-old Flagstaff House, the attraction is the quintessential “yin” to Central’s “yang.” The white-shuttered Greek revival structure is the oldest Colonial building in Hong Kong and is now devoted to the collection, study and display of teaware in China. After appreciating the art, proceed to the Lock Cha Teahouse next door for some tea and vegetarian dim sum. Check the museum’s website, www.lcsd.gove.hk/hkma. This next site is quite a trip but well worth it, specially on a clear day. Explore Plover Cove and view the Pat Sin Leng mountain range. You’ll find plenty to do from renting a bicycle or a row boat, to having a barbecue at the public pits or sampling the different restaurants in the area.

Comfort In The Sky

There is more reason to enjoy traveling not just to Hong Kong but also to other destinations. Just when you thought Cathay Pacific’s business class could not get any better, long-haul flights just got more comfortable. “The new business class product is in line with the airlines’ staunch commitment to address and even exceed consumers’ expectations via excellent services and top-of-the-line offerings,” according to Ed Higgs, Cathay Pacific Philippines country manager. The new business class entered service beginning March for the A330-300 and April for the Boeing 777-300 ER. It will also be progressively installed on all existing long-haul flights by February 2013.

Comfort On The Ground

Aside from the new business class, Cathay has added a contemporary and dynamic lounge designed by London based architectural firm, Foster + partners, the Cabin, located at by Gate 23, the central concourse of the Hong Kong International airport. The space introduced new seating and dining concepts. It also has five different zones including the reception; the IT zone for high speed Wi-Fi internet, 11 PCs. Six iMacs, 20 Wi-Fi enabled iPads pre-loaded with the latest apps and a video conference suite; the Deli for made-to-order hot sandwiches, fresh antipasti and salads; the Health Bar; and the Relaxing Zone.

Arriving at the airport early to catch a flight gives you time to stay at one of Cathay Pacific’s lounges, particularly the ultra modern Cabin.

So, do you still need convincing?

* * *

Send queries and suggestions to mailto:jo@joyceorena.comor follow me on twitter.com/joyceorena.

The Visit Hong Kong Now package is for sale until August 27,2011 (for departure until August 30). Rates start from US$ 275 for a 3 days/2 nights stay. For inquiries contact Cathay Pacific Reservations – Manila (632) 757 0888, Cebu (6332) 231 3747, Davao (6382) 222 8901.