Shopping, Hanoi

Discover the heart of Hong Kong — Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour is probably the most popular tourist area in the world! Find out why, and how to enjoy it! Victoria Harbour is an almost ideally naturally sheltered channel between Hong Kong Island and the Hong Kong mainland. The channel is deep enough for the biggest ships and sheltered by the high mountains on Hong Kong Island from storm winds. It is also naturally curved like a semicircle around the north shore of Hong Kong Island so that high waves are blocked out. Islands to the east and south and a narrow opening on the eastern inlet further shelter the harbor. This sheltered area was one of the British Empire's biggest military and trading ports, and it is now both the world's premier tourist area and one of the world's busiest commercial ports. Two big cruise ship ports bring in tens of thousands of eager shoppers and sightseers each year, and the transportation connections to the harbor area are among the world's best and quickest. The new tourist attractions and facilities really interest tourists and make the harbor area more ideal for combining shopping, recreation, cultural experiences, and education together for an enjoyable trip. https://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/attraction/victoria-harbor.htm

Located on the tip of Hong Kong’s peninsula by Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui is famous for its iconic view of the city’s harbour. This neighbourhood should be your top priority if you’re a first-time visitor! Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the busiest districts in Kowloon, and there’s plenty to see and do here. The shopping scene is varied, ranging from designer boutiques to local bric-a-brac stores. It’s also a good place to find a range of museums, galleries and live performances. But perhaps what it’s best known for is its view of Hong Kong’s harbour; here, you can watch the junk boats sail across Victoria Bay against the backdrop of an expansive glittering skyline. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/hong-kong/articles/the-top-10-cultural-things-to-do-and-see-in-tsim-sha-tsui/

The First Night Market In Cambodia. It is located just off of Sivatha Road, in the heart of the town. It is an outdoors market, but is covered by a roof to protect it from the elements. With around 240 shops, it is the biggest and most interesting night market to see. http://angkornightmarket.com/

You may think you’ve visited some pretty amazing markets in your lifetime, but we’re fairly sure that none will come close to beating the sheer size and variety found at Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market. It really is a sight to behold, and it’s arguably the best place in the whole city to buy souvenirs and all manner of other things. But beware; the size, heat, and crowds of thousands of people are not for the faint hearted though our guide to Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok should help you navigate and survive this awesome place! https://bangkokattractions.com/chatuchak-market-bangkok/

MBK Center is probably Bangkok's most legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals, and busy with shoppers every day. There are eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery and DVDs. Launched in 1986, MBK Center is a beehive of activity, especially on weekends, when half of Bangkok converges to shop for bargains. It's not as up-market or stylish as neighbouring Siam Discovery, Siam Centre and the glitzy Siam Paragon, but it offers a mind-boggling range of goods spread over 89,000 square metres and is considerably less expensive. On the ground floor of MBK, you will find lines of stalls selling fashion, shoes and handbags, fast food outlets and a Tops Supermarket, with an open space dedicated to sales offering prices discounted by 30% to 50%. As you move up the levels you’ll find enclaves of products almost randomly placed. Part of the fun of MBK is exploring the long straight paths looking out for things that take your fancy. As a rough guide, fashion is mostly on the lower floors, a mass of electronics on the 3rd and 4th floors, with home furnishings and souvenirs on the 5th and 6th. http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/mbk.htm

Khao San Road - The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers who converge here it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. On Khao San itself and the streets either side, you can shop, exchange tales and prepare for you next stint on the backpacker trail. Packed into a 1 km-long strip are budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels, internet cafes, bars, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, bookshops, market stalls, tattoo shops and much more. So much, in fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilt over into nearby Soi Rambuttri. With its carefree, anything-goes vibe, it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok. http://www.bangkok.com/area-khao-san-road/

The Artist's House (The Artist's House) is a centuries-old house turned gallery in Thonburi, across the Chao Phraya River. Owned by Khun Chumpol Akkapantanon, it’s an excellent spot to escape from the city’s modern buildings and hectic traffic for a day. Baan Silapin (and its neighbourhood) dates back to the 1800s. A boardwalk leading to the gallery is lined with shops, cafes, local restaurants, and a temple. You can also spot many unusual and human-sized statues painted in white, red and black sitting by the water. The Artist's House has a tall, white stupa dating back to the Ayutthaya period standing in the backyard. You can see plenty of traditional paintings, masks and, puppets throughout the building. It’s most popular for hosting traditional Thai puppet shows, where intricately-made puppets are manipulated by artists dressed in black. Shows take place on a small wooden stage every day at 2pm, except Wednesdays. It’s a good idea to call in advance as the theatre sometimes performs in other parts of the city, usually during special events. http://www.bangkok.com/magazine/artist-house.htm

Asiatique successfully combines 2 of the most popular shopping experiences in the city: a night bazaar and a mall. Around 10 minutes downriver from Saphan Taksin BTS station, this once-bustling international trade port transformed into a huge replica warehouse complex with over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants. Open from 5pm, spending an evening here is no problem: you’ll have good fun browsing the boutiques, picking up gifts or something for yourself. You’re also guaranteed to find something you’d like to eat and if this isn’t enough entertainment, nightly highlights range from Calypso ladyboy cabarets to classic Thai puppet shows. http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/asiatique.htm

Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road and the surrounding district is one of the best known localities in the Thai capital. Unlike some districts in the city you won’t find beautiful temples or palaces here; Sukhumvit Bangkok is better known for its Westernised feel and consists of bars, restaurants and shopping malls that you’ll find alongside sois that are filled with even more bars (salubrious and otherwise) and massage parlours. The sex trade is difficult to ignore with prostitutes almost everywhere you look, and you wouldn’t come to Sukhumvit Road for the traditional Thai culture, but even so, it’s one of the most visited neighbourhoods in the city. So why the interest? Read on to discover our recommendations for amazing places to visit on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. https://bangkokattractions.com/sukhumvit-road-bangkok/

Binh Tay Market, constructed by the French in the 1880s, is located in the centre of Vietnam’s largest Chinatown district. Unlike Ben Thanh Market in District 1, this market mainly serves the local population with its extensive range of fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat and seafood from regions across Vietnam. Also known as Cholon Chinatown Market, Binh Tay Market occupies a two-storey building along Thap Moui Street. Travellers can also find an assortment of handicrafts, lacquerware, and textiles that are sold in bulk, though goods are not varied compared to other (more touristy) markets in downtown Hanoi. Along with the interesting historical and cultural aspect of Cholon, Binh Tay Market is great for experiencing the local lifestyle and sampling unique Vietnamese-Chinese delicacies. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/ho-chi-minh-city/attractions/binh-tay-market.htm

The Taimall’s Nankan Family Entertainment Shopping Center is the largest shopping center in Taoyuan area.With a floor space of 28,000 ping, it is the largest shopping mall in the Taoyuan area, as well as the first large-scale shopping and leisure center in Taiwan. On holidays, in addition to consumers from Taoyuan areas, it also attracts a large number of out-of-town tourists. In the shopping center there are counters selling name-brand products, a department store, a theater, an entertainment center, restaurants offering international cuisine, as well as a sports stadium. It is a good place for the entire family to spend a whole day in Taoyuan. https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en/travel/attraction/741

The far end of Old Street opens onto the Fisherman's Wharf, which is a perfect locale for viewing the sunset. Here also are the docks from whence travelers may ferry across the harbor to Bali. https://www.travel.taipei/en/attraction/details/659

Located within Taipei 101, the Taipei 101 Mall gathers the world top brands to create a high-end shopping experience. Level 4 of the mall features Singapore-based bookstore Page One and Taipei largest indoor cafe and restaurant area. Visiting the tallest building in a new city has a natural appeal because it gives us a chance to gain a unique perspective of the city. When you come to Taipei 101, you can take the super-high-speed elevator up to the 89th floor and take in the whole city from a special vantage point. Up there in the clouds you're sure to be captivated and moved by taking in so much of Taipei and it's surrounding area, whether you visit in the daytime or at night. https://www.travel.taipei/en/attraction/details/540

Shihfen Station is the largest train stop in Pingxi. Trains going both ways stop here and here one can see conductors exchanging credentials-a throwback to a more bureaucratic age during Japanese occupation that's worth a contemplative glance. There are two picturesque sites at Shihfen: where the train crosses the street and where it runs parallel to the street. Villagers here are accustomed to waiting for the train to pass and then carrying on once it's gone. https://www.travel.taipei/en/attraction/details/645

Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman is closed to traffic between 5pm-10pm every Saturday and transforms into a night market where petty traders and hawkers sell an assortment of goods in the open air. The night market offers visitors an interesting place to walk through and perhaps pick up some casual attire, local products, clothing as well as sample some local delicacies. http://www.visitkl.gov.my/visitklv2/index.php?r=column/cthree&id=40&place_id=1039

Petaling Street is where you can find roadside hawker stalls selling a variety of things such as clothes, food, drinks, electronic goods and fresh produce. With a myriad of goods and items, you will definitely be spoilt for choice. In case you’re hungry or thirsty, the restaurants and stalls here are more than capable of quenching your thirst and satiating your hunger. From waffles to local favourites like the Hokkien Mee and burgers to oyster omelette, you’re set for an extraordinary gastronomic adventure. http://www.visitkl.gov.my/visitklv2/index.php?r=column/cthree&id=40&place_id=845

The Higashiyama District (東山) along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city. Recent renovations to remove telephone poles and repave the streets have further improved the traditional feel of the district. The streets in Higashiyama are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. These businesses retain their traditional design, although many have been renovated through the years, and they continue to serve customers today, selling local specialties such as Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets, pickles, crafts and other souvenirs. The shops and restaurants in the area typically open around nine or ten in the morning and close relatively early around five or six in the evening, except during the ten day long Hanatoro in March when the streets of Higashiyama are lined by thousands of lanterns and many of the area's temples, shrines and businesses have extended hours and special illuminations. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3959.html

The clock tower is a popular landmark in the old city. The vibrant Sardar Market is close to the tower, and narrow alleys lead from here to a bazaar selling vegetables, spices, Indian sweets, textiles, silver and handicrafts. It is a great place to ramble around at leisure. https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/clock-tower-and-sadar-market.html

Seminyak is Bali’s most sophisticated and upscale beach resort area, where the top draws are its beautiful beaches and chilled-out vibes. Compared to the likes of Ubud, there’s not a huge number of things to see and do here, but there are some fun, family-friendly attractions to enjoy. Despite humble beginnings, Seminyak is now a very modern part of Bali. Even so, among the glitz and glamour of the boutique shopping streets and fine-dining restaurants are some traditional touches like Petitenget Temple. If you’re looking for something to do between sunbathing sessions on some of Bali’s most beautiful beaches, you’ll find a good selection of distractions here. http://www.bali-indonesia.com/seminyak/

Odaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man made island in Tokyo Bay. It originated as a set of small man made fort islands (daiba literally means "fort"), which were built towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) to protect Tokyo against possible attacks from the sea and specifically in response to the gunboat diplomacy of Commodore Perry. More than a century later, the small islands were joined into larger islands by massive landfills, and Tokyo began a spectacular development project aimed to turn the islands into a futuristic residential and business district during the extravagant 1980s. But development was critically slowed after the burst of the "bubble economy" in the early 1990s, leaving Odaiba nearly vacant. It was not until the second half of the 1990s, when several hotels, shopping malls and the Yurikamome elevated train line were opened, that Odaiba developed into one of Tokyo's most popular tourist attractions and date spots with a wide selection of shopping, dining and leisure options. Despite the initial setbacks, several lavish development projects did materialize, including some of Tokyo's boldest architectural creations, such as the Fuji TV Building, Telecom Center and Tokyo Big Sight. Modern city planning furthermore provides Odaiba with plenty of green space and a pleasant division of motorized and pedestrian traffic using elevated walkways and the like. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html

Akihabara (秋葉原), also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March). Akihabara has been undergoing major redevelopment over the years, including the renovation and expansion of Akihabara Station and the construction of new buildings in its proximity. Among these newly opened buildings were a huge Yodobashi electronics store and the Akihabara Crossfield, a business complex with the aim of promoting Akihabara as a center for global electronics technology and trade. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

National Handicraft Centre, opened on 10th of September 2007, aim to promote and sell quality Maldivian produced handicrafts. The centre acts as a purchaser and reseller of local handicraft to give these products a better chance of competing with imported goods. http://www.nhc.gov.mv/

Curb Market (札幌場外市場, Sapporo Jōgai Ichiba) consists of nearly 80 stores and restaurants lined up along several blocks just outside of Sapporo's Central Wholesale Market. One of the city's largest public markets, the Curb Market specializes in Hokkaido seafood such as crab, sea urchin, salmon roe, squid and scallops, and local produce such as corn, melons and potatoes when in season. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5317.html

Nijo Market (二条市場, Nijō Ichiba) is a public market in central Sapporo that occupies about one city block. Both locals and tourists visit the market to shop for fresh local produce and seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and various fresh and prepared fish. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5310.html

Amid the breezy dry season air on Thursday and Sunday evenings, Mindil Beach Sunset Market hosts street performers, musicians, craft stalls and a large collection of international food stalls on the stretch of parkland behind Mindil Beach. Arrive early (about 6pm) to beat the crowds. Immerse your tastebuds in Darwin's Asian food culture with a Malaysian laksa, a savoury Japanese pancake or a Thai green papaya salad. For dessert, visit Petra's Raw Cakes and munch on a raw brownie ball, or a slice of lime and macadamia cheesecake. https://www.mindil.com.au/

Kerman Bazaar is one of the prominent bazaars of Iran in both architecture and antiquity (dating back to 6 centuries ago). As one of the main Kerman attractions, it is located in the old district of Kerman city, stretching for 1,200 meters from Arg square (Tohid) to Moshtaghieh square (Shohada). Grand Bazaar of Kerman is also the longest market order of Iran, with multiple bazaars branching off in different directions. The location of Kerman Bazaar was on the way of various trade roads such as the old Silk Road and was considered as a connection point between southern ports, northern and eastern cities and the cities in deserts according to these features Kerman Grand Bazaar had a significant role economically. Bazar Kerman as one of the oldest trading centers of Iran is a complex of historical monuments and works, which was built in different eras by Kerman’s different rulers of the time and includes more than 60 percent of historical monuments as schools, mosques, bathhouses, etc. https://irantourismer.com/kerman-bazaar-grand-bazar-kerman/

The Sahara Centre is home to Adventureland, an indoor theme park with more than 20 rides and attractions, plus go-karts and a huge soft play area. There is also a six-screen cinema showing all the latest Hollywood and Bollywood films. Sahara Centre offers some of the best shopping in Sharjah, with 350 stores stocking both local and international brands, along with a food court and more than 20 cafés and restaurants. https://www.visitsharjah.com/activities/family/sahara-centre/

Shopaholics will rejoice at The Dubai Mall - the world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure located next to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Located in the heart of the prestigious Downtown Dubai is The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest and most-visited retail and entertainment destination, which welcomes more than 80 million visitors annually. With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall has 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable space, over 1,300 retail outlets including two anchor department stores – Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s – and over 200 food and beverage outlets. https://thedubaimall.com/

Dubai Marina offers plenty of entertainment for families, friends and couples. This impressive outdoor entertainment development launched in 2014 directly opposite JBR's The Walk and it's been a hive of activity ever since. Its modern, low-rise design elevates the enviable beachside location and there are now more than 70 shopping and dining options. https://www.visitdubai.com/en/articles/dubai-marina-highlights

Palm Island Dubai (Jumeirah Palm Island) is one of the most ambitious real-estate developments on earth, heralded as the 8th wonder of the world as it can be seen from space. It is one of three islands called the Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) which extend into the Persian Gulf. Jumeirah Palm island features themed hotels, villas, apartment buildings, beaches, marinas, restaurants, and a variety of retail outlets. The most popular feature being 5 star aqua themed hotel Atlantis. The best way to visit Palm Jumeirah is to take a taxi to the Palm Gateway Monorail Station, at the base of the Palm, and then the Monorail up to the the top, where most of the attractions are (Atlantis hotel, Aquaventure Waterpark, The Lost Chambers Aquarium... ). This way you can enjoy the view of the Palm from the elevated train. http://www.topdubaiattractions.com/palm-island/

A dramatic architectural statement, this five-tower complex invites residents and visitors to live, work, stay, shop and dine in one destination with panoramic city and Arabian Gulf views. A benchmark for luxury experiences, the complex includes three residential towers and the 280 metres high, five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel. On Tower 2’s 74th floor, the Observation Deck at 300 offers unbeatable cityscape and island views. The Avenue at Etihad Towers is one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive collections of boutique shops, with many having luxurious private rooms for private, VIP shopping. https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/see.and.do/attractions.and.landmarks/iconic.landmarks/etihad.towers.aspx

For the best seafood in town visit Koki market, to the east of Ela Beach. Koki is the main seafood market and also sells a range of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Wander through the aisles, where you can absorb the ocean breeze and observe the fishermen negotiate with bargain hunters over the catch of the day. We recommend bringing a guide with you when you visit markets in Port Moresby. https://www.papuanewguinea.travel/koki-fish-market

An Art Deco style shopping arcade connecting Hay Street to Murray Street in the heart of the city, Piccadilly Arcade was designed by architect William T. Leighton for mining magnate Claude de Bernales. The theatre and arcade opened in 1938 and in 1984 both the theatre and the arcade underwent a significant refurbishment and won an architectural award from the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture (WA Chapter) in 1986. The theatre and arcade are both classified by the National Trust of Australia and are included on the State Heritage Register. Although the cinema closed for business in 2013, the arcade remains alive with a vibrant mix of speciality shops. https://www.visitperth.com.au/shopping/shopping-destinations/Venues/piccadilly-arcade