One look at this headline and you might be asking yourself – “An entire guide for a mall? Why?” Well, for one, Harbour City is not just any mall ? It is Hong Kong’s largest and most exciting mall!
Credit: giphy
Apart from its size, the blend of shopping, dining, fun seasonal exhibitions and gorgeous views will draw you into the mall. Don’t know what we mean? Hang on tight as we show you exactly what Harbour City has to offer!
Getting here
Like many other attractions in Hong Kong, getting to Harbour City is super easy! Alight at MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station and head to exit A1. Then take a short 5-minute walk along Haiphong Road to reach the shopping mall.
For a more scenic way of getting here, hop onboard the Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui. The ride is short (about 10 minutes) but you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in all the beauty Hong Kong’s waterfront has to offer ?
Kickstart your shopping spree
Once you step into Harbour City, you’d probably be so blown away by the grandeur of the mall that you would want to start shopping right away. But wait! Head to the information desk first as you might be able to snag some vouchers and information on ongoing sales in the mall.
If you’re visiting before 30 April 2019, you can redeem ‘Tourist Privileges’ after registering online here and presenting your passport at Harbour City’s customer service counters. With this, you can enjoy various shopping and dining vouchers ?
1. Local brands
Shopping vouchers in hand, it’s time to get right down to spending your moolahs! Check out some of Hong Kong’s famous local brands such as Izzue and Sugarman.
Pop into the colourful Sugarman store and you’ll be blown away by how fun and attractive the designs are! There’s no better way to make a fashion statement than by donning one of their tops ?
2. International brands
You’d be familiar with many of the international brands too! From UNIQLO to Adidas to Dr Martens, there’s no limit to how much shopping you can do here. We were totally drawn in by the wide range of designs ?
3. Luxury brands
Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall is also home to some of the world’s leading luxury brands! Upgrade your wardrobe with the finest craftsmanship and designs at high-end stores like Chanel and Dior. If you’re looking for designer jewellery and watches, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier fit the bill perfectly!
For the ultimate taste of luxury shopping, step into Lane Crawford! Hong Kong’s most exclusive department store is filled with high-end fashion brands. With a personal shopper service and free worldwide shipping, it won’t hurt to indulge in some retail therapy in exchange for being treated like royalty ?
4. Get all your homeware needs
Credit: Zara Home on Facebook
Your shopping spree should not stop at the latest fashion? Splurge a little more on your home needs!
Shops like Zara Home and Exclusivites will convince you of the need to spruce up your home with their superior quality textiles, home decorations and kitchen wear. After all, it’s never too early to start decorating your home for Hari Raya ?
P.S. Singaporeans and Malaysians, be sure to shop your heart’s content here as there are no physical Zara Home shops in our countries yet!
5. Men’s Fashion
There are plenty of seating areas for you to rest in between shopping. In most malls, these will be populated by men as they sit in boredom while waiting for their partners to shop. But in Harbour City, such a sight is few to none! There is a wide variety of shops showcasing men’s latest fashion trends, making the mall a shopping paradise – even for men! Be sure to check out locals brands like Harrison Wong and international brands such as Hugo Boss and Brooks Brothers.
6. Must-buy souvenirs
There’s no doubt that souvenirs are a staple when you travel. And you don’t have to search for them elsewhere! Hunt down these uniquely Hong Kong souvenirs at Eslite Spectrum. This popular chain bookstore does not only sell books! It houses a wide variety of products, from local accessory brands to bags to must-buy souvenirs.
7. Specially for the little ones
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
You might think that Harbour City is only for the adults (like many other shopping malls), but it’s not! The mall is super family-friendly and has an entire floor (G/F) to revamp your kids’ fashion style or to treat them to some new toys at Asia’s largest Toys “R” Us ?
It does not matter how old your child is, there’s bound to be something you can find that will meet his/her taste and size. Prior to our visit, we did not realize we could find so many kids’ designer brands in Harbour City! Brands such as GUCCI KIDS and BAPE KIDS are perfect for the older kids, while Baby Dior, Hallmark Babies and Mothercare are great for toddlers and babies.
Facilities
8. Nursing room
Of course, an entire floor dedicated to kids would not be complete without kid-friendly facilities. The nursing room beside Toys”R”Us is both spacious and comfortable should the little one be hungry or need a change of diapers. The space is pretty open to anyone who walks past, so we’d recommend heading into the individual nursing rooms for privacy!
9. Luggage storage
Speaking of the mall’s awesome facilities, the luggage storage service comes particularly handy if you’re heading to the mall with your luggage in tow. Simply deposit your luggage at the Customer Service Centre on the third floor of Ocean Terminal for just HKD10/hour (small suitcase weighing less than 20kg) and HKD20/hour (large suitcase). This way, you can do some last-minute shopping (hands-free!) before heading to the airport ?
Savour yummy Muslim-friendly food
10. Green Common
All that shopping and walking around must have made your tummy rumble. Head to G/F to savour yummy (and healthy!) vegetarian and vegan food at Green Common. This café is set to transform the way you think of vegetarian food with their delectable array of dishes?
For starters, try their Garden Fish and Chips! The taste is so close to the actual fish and chips, that you’d have to do a double take on the café to realise that you’re actually in a fully vegetarian and vegan café. We tried some local Chinese dishes such as Sichuan Spicy Chicken and a Western-style Beyond Burger Deluxe. The food was really flavourful and left us craving for more?
P.S. Looking for even more food options near Hong Kong’s major attractions? This will help!
11. Sugarfina
If you’re looking for something sweet to satisfy your palate after that tasty meal, Sugarfina will do the trick! Established in California, this candy chain prides itself on having the finest collection of gourmet candies in the world, and rightly so! Their hand-crafted candies are bursting with flavour and we found ourselves swooning over the gorgeous packaging that make for the perfect gifts ?
Some of the must-try flavours we checked to be Muslim-friendly are Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels (Sugarfina’s best chocolate candy!) and Sugar Lips.
Don’t forget to snap a picture or two here! The candy chain reigns as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Candy Shops” ?
Note: Not all the candy in the store is Muslim-friendly but there are clear ingredient labels for each of them, indicating exactly what ingredients it contains. But if you need extra help, just ask the friendly store assistants and they will suggest candies which cater to your dietary preferences.
Snap away at the mall’s seasonal exhibitions
When we think of a mall, the common perception would be that it is only filled with shops and eateries. But Harbour City takes that notion a notch higher by turning the mall into an entertainment and lifestyle hub, all-in-one. Take a breather from shopping and explore the seasonal exhibitions inside and outside the mall, that are fun for the whole family!
It was We Bare Bear themed when we visited and we loved how interactive the exhibitions are! It was almost as if we were a part of the exhibition which made for a truly immersive experience. And don’t think that this one’s only for the kids? Adults, like us, found joy in snapping away too!
You’d be excited to know that the exhibitions are always new and fresh, as it changes every 2 months! If you’re visiting from now till 17 February 2019, look forward to Harbour City’s annual ‘Chocolate Trail’. Indulge in 50 types of exclusive chocolates (from international brands) at the world’s first chocolate convenience store, ChoConveni! From America’s Sugarfina to Thailand’s Kad Kokoa to Hong Kong’s halal-certified Happy Cow, you’d be at a loss of which chocolate to get here?
Chocolate fans, be sure to also check out the ‘Cannot Eat’ section at ChoConveni! Here, you can get your hands on irresistible chocolate-themed stationery - think Chocolate Bar towel ?
Don’t stop there though! Snap away at The Tipping Point: The Chocolate Extravagancy exhibition. This huge Rube Goldberg Chocolate Machine art installation will reel you in with its breathtaking gallery and interactive panel!
Note: As none of the chocolates are halal-certified (with the exception of Happy Cow), we recommend our readers to consume at their own discretion.
Enjoy the best views of Hong Kong’s skyline
The best views in life are free. Well at least, in Harbour City? Here are some of the spots to enjoy the best views of Hong Kong from the mall!
12. Ocean Terminal Deck
Take the escalator up and head out to enjoy the gorgeous harbour view at Harbour City’s Ocean Terminal Deck! There is a natural lawn overlooking the city’s gorgeous skyline too – perfect for some quiet time with your loved ones, a picnic or even to let the kids run free for a bit.
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
You’d want to head here during sunset, to enjoy the most stunning views of Hong Kong’s skyline ?
13. Symphony of Lights
For an epic way to end your night, be sure to head outside to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade or up the observation deck and marvel at the world’s largest permanent light and sound show! After a whole day of shopping and walking around, this makes for the perfect way to just sit back and relax as you take in the vibrant atmosphere.
BONUS: Stay at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Here’s how you can save yourself the trouble of travelling to Harbour City multiple times (because trust us, a single visit won’t be enough ?) – stay at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel! The hotel is located directly above the mall, and Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station is a short walk away.
Amazing location aside, what we particularly loved about our harbour view room was the unblocked, beautiful view of the Victoria Harbour. Waking up to the beautiful seaview against the backdrop of skyscrapers is definitely an experience to remember?
To top it off, the hotel even has a Halal section at its breakfast buffet? Feast on yummy meatballs, steak and more to your heart’s content. You can also request for scrambled eggs and they’ll cook it in a separate pan!
Now do you see why a guide was necessary?? With this guide in hand, you’ll have no trouble planning out exactly what you can do when visiting Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall! Add Harbour City to your Hong Kong bucket list and go forth to conquer it ?
P.S. Complete your trip to Hong Kong with even more exciting attractions and experiences! And if you need even more help planning your upcoming trip, we’ve got you totally covered with these essential guides.
This article was brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.