Take advantage of Hong Kong's location and the stunning ornaments readily available from mainland China and other parts of Asia.

At the centre of this rich cultural heritage, Hong Kong is the perfect place to pick up some household luxuries at affordable and competitive prices.

Furniture warehouses in Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau stock everything you need from everyday items to extravagances. Finding a one-of-a-kind set of dinnerware or teaware is possible at porcelain factories.   You can select from solid or simple wood veneer pieces when ordering custom-made furniture.

 

Brass & Pewter Ware

Check out the shops on Hollywood Road for a wide range of brass and pewter.

Valuable Chinese artifacts or engravings can be found in this area that hugs the upper Central business district. Many shops can arrange to insure, pack and ship your goods safely back home.

 

Carpets & Rugs

Furnish your home with lovely Indian, Persian, Turkish or Afghani dhurries, kelims and prayer rugs.

Prices depend on the type of yarn, level of workmanship, complexity of design, colour harmony and the fineness of the weave. Gird yourself for a good-natured bargaining session. For deep-pile luxury, Hong Kong is home to the famous Tai Ping carpets. The in-thing these days is to commission your own design.

Ceramics, Bone China & Porcelain

Get a custom-decorated 12-piece dinner service, a hand painted tea set or choose a traditional Chinese willow pattern design. Hong Kong's porcelain factories won't bat an eyelid - no matter how zany your design sense.

A word of caution: When it comes to shipping it home, ''all risk" insurance is a very good idea.

Crystal & Glassware

Hong Kong is just the city to buy delicate additions to your crystal collection.

All major brands of fine crystal from Europe and the USA are available in Hong Kong at prices, which are normally 30-40 per cent lower than elsewhere. Top French brands of crystal - Baccarat and Lalique - are stocked in many of the exclusive stores which feature their trademark crystal stemware, glasses, vases, candlesticks, chandeliers and figurines.

Tips

Good crystal consists of at least 35 per cent lead while the less expensive variety has only 7 per cent.
Generally the clarity of the glass is directly proportional to the quantity of lead. The higher the lead content the clearer the glass.

 

Furniture

Purchase the furniture of your dreams and have it shipped home from Hong Kong.

All furniture shops, whether they supply traditional, hand-carved Chinese teak dining tables or sleek, leather-bound sofas, will organise to have your furniture shipped home for you. Rattan is inexpensive, light and durable and is always a popular choice. Most outlets, too, are willing to custom-build your designs.

Traditional furniture from all over Asia is sold in Hong Kong. Why not take home a futon from Japan, a hand-carved table set from Indonesia, a Korean chest or something more exotic from Nepal or the far reaches of Myanmar (Burma). It's all within reach and perfectly affordable in Hong Kong.

 

Household Furnishings

Enjoy the luxury of choice with reasonable pricing and purchase something special for your home.

With vibrant Thai silk, soft Indian hand-loomed cotton and Chinese raw silk available in abundant colours and patterns at reasonable prices, visitors are truly spoiled by the choices available in Hong Kong.

Thanks to the low cost of luxurious fabrics and low labour charges, the city is an ideal place to order custom-made bedspreads, cushion covers or curtains.

Tips

Bring your furniture measurements from home and even fabric swatches if you are planning to redo a certain room in the house.

Ensure when placing an order that there is a clear understanding between you and the retailer about the size and specifications required.

 

Lighting Fixtures

From opulent crystal chandeliers to simple Chinese red lanterns, the variety of lighting fixtures on offer is astounding.

You will find collections to meet every taste, whether it be soft romantic lighting for an intimate room to outdoor lighting for the garden - Hong Kong has it all.

Tips

Remember glass lampshades may be damaged during shipping so either allow for breakage or choose unbreakable options such as custom-made Chinese silk lampshades.

 

Silverware & Cutlery

Quality silver and cutting-edge design makes for a stunning selection of silverware. For visitors looking to begin their collection or embellish it, Hong Kong is a great place to start. Clean, modern designs or old traditional silverware - Hong Kong has it all!  A novel silver item from Hong Kong is, of course, silver chopsticks and accompanying rice bowl.

Tips

Silver comes in many qualities depending on how pure the metal is, so make sure you check the price against its purity.

 

What is your favorite?

Please make a selection from some of the great buys listed below:

- Arts & Crafts	- Audio & Visual	- Clothing & Tailors
- Furniture & Household	- General Merchandise	- Jewellery & Watches
- Leather Goods	- Optical Goods