Many people rave about the shopping in Hong Kong, and by the way they are right to do so. WIth this in mind, you need to be aware that not all is as it seems.  There are legitimate bargains to be found but you need to be careful what you buy. Items like watches and designer brands are only going to be a bargain if you buy them from the outlet which officially sells them like those outlet shops in the only outlet mall in Hong Kong - Citygate Outlets.  Get your CK Jeans from a CK outlet. Common sense perhaps but many people seemed to get lurred in to buying the cheap rip-off copies.  The best deals to be had are on arts and crafts, unbranded clothes and alike. Temple Street Night market is a great place to grab such bargains and offers a more comfortable experience given that it is running at (you guessed it) night time. Stanley Market is another goodie but is a considerable distance away. Both are reachable on short excursions organised by most of the tour operators, and your hotels are often able to advise on where the best local operators work. Hong Kong is literally laiden with with small markets and stalls. Its great fun to haggle and expected, but please keep in mind that some times you are bartering over a matter of pennies.

The kinds of things to look for wold be 5 silk ties for £1/$1.50 (HK$13), Paintings for the same, Trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses and shirts for a  £2/$3's. Suits are definitely available for low prices. Seasoned travellers suggest that you stick to the Chinese Tailors in the shopping centres and do your deals with them. Do not try to save a few pennies by using backstreet shops (which you are taken to by the high street representatives hanging around on most corners). Whilst looking, try to meet the tailor. Generally they are close by. The best deals here are on suits sitting on the peg which they just need to adjust. Start your haggling at between HK$450-500 and dont pay more than HK$1000 for a reasonable material (one which when crushed in your hand doesn't show creases or folds when you let it go, and one that feels quite light - as a basic rule of thumb!). Any more and you are not getting a bargain.

Peddlers you are not interested in can still be quite intense. A polite but firm "No" is more than enough to display that you are not interested. You might be pleased to hear that HK Police are in force in the bigger markets, plain clothed and in pairs (distinguishable when you look for them), and this acts as a great deterent for most petty theives. You should always remain alert and always have your bags and wallets in safe positions. Always check your wallet if you are bumped in to or brushed passed. Again, this is common sense but it is better to keep reminding yourself.

The markets can be great fun, and if you are looking for bargains, these are the places to shop. Some good markets are: Ladies' Market (full of replicas and cheap and sometimes cheerful accessories) in bustling Mong Kok; Stanley Market for more touristy kitschy stuff (think little purses with Chinese embroidery) plus clothing outlets and linens (then have a bite with a view at the slew of places nearby); Fa Yuen Street in Prince Edward/Mong Kok for cheap, trendy  gal's clothes and shoes (but you have to be a US size 0-2 to fit into anything). For antiquey accessories and more Chinese kitsch (low quality, but sometimes cool jade pendants, Mao posters) go to Lascar Row in Sheung Wan (known locally as "More Lore Gai"), a short walk from Sheung Wan MTR.