Many expats in Hong Kong take day trips to Shenzhen, China (directly across the border) for shopping and to have clothes made. I made my first trip, followed quickly by two more, the week before last with one of my neighbors. She had made her first trip the week before with a friend and had some clothes made. She needed to go back to pick them up. I went with requests from Dave and PJ for a few shirts and intending to buy a few gifts to take back to the States this summer. I had only intended to have two skirts made for myself.
My friend's driver drove us to an MTR station in the New Territories directly across from Shenzhen. The drive takes about an hour from our side of the island and then it is one stop on the MTR and a trip through customs. Very easy to do, but you have to have a China Visa which is the reason I hadn't gone before.
Now I have been to the fake market and the fabric market in Shanghai, so I was expecting something similar. In many ways it was, but the "mall" was much newer and cleaner. It was also easier to navigate the way the shops were set-up. I was not ready for how much more aggressive the people were. As soon as we entered the mall we had someone following us asking what we were looking for and offering to take us to a shop. "You want purses? Best quality. Brand name. Sunglasses? Oakleys, Ray Bans? I show you." The mall is four levels and the person literally followed us all the way to the top level even though we kept telling him we were all set.
We made it to the tailor shop. I sat down to choose the fabric for Dave's work shirts while my friend tried on the clothes she'd had made. I was so impressed with the workmanship on my friend's clothes that I ended up ordering 3 dresses and a skirt and jacket for myself! After selecting the fabric for Dave's shirts the tailor then took me into the fabric shop to select the fabric for my dresses, skirts and PJ's shirts. The fabric shop consists of many small booths selling different types of fabric. The tailor directed me to a couple and then I wandered through to find others. In the process of doing this I found one booth that sold quilts. I liked them so much that I ended up buying bath towels and quilts for all of our beds in San Diego!
Once we finished with the tailor we were back into the masses of shops. Once again we picked-up a follower who was trying to direct us to shops. Just like in Shanghai, you have to be careful to look at the quality of what you are purchasing. Continually ask for "best quality". When they bring it out, check it and ask again. Bargaining is key and don't be afraid to walk away. Use the price another place gave you as a bargaining tool. Many shop owners will start with a price three times higher than what they are willing to take. There were clothes, shoes, glasses, electronics, toys, jewellery, you name it.
My first trip was on a Wednesday. Dave and I went back on Saturday to pick-up his and PJ's shirts. Dave drove to the MTR station across the border. It was a pretty drive and we were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. Dave was so impressed with the quality of his shirts that he ordered more and I ordered a couple of short sleeve shirts for PJ. This meant another trip back the following Wednesday with my friend.
On my last trip, as we were leaving a local picked up my suitcase (always go with a suitcase on wheels to carry all of your goods) and carried it down the stairs for me. He then thanked me and it was obvious he was hoping for money. I continued to say "No" and thank him. He then started rubbing his belly like he was hungry. We were passing a shop selling duck, so I told him I would buy him food. I spoke to the person at the shop and ordered the gentleman a duck. He was thankful, but looked a little less than happy. After he was given the food I thanked him again and my friend and I turned and left. As we were walking away I happened to glance back and saw something I have not seen before. The gentleman was attempting to sell the container of duck back to the shop! I guess he wasn't really hungry for food.
If you are willing to pay the $200-$300 for a China visa I recommend a trip to Shenzhen if you visit Hong Kong.
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