Shopping adventures in Shenzhen

10:30 AEST Thu Feb 24 2011

Apart from offering Australian travellers totally different cultures and cuisines, Asia is a favourite destination for Aussies who love to shop.

If you're in Hong Kong and have a bit of time up your sleeve, you may want to think about a day-trip to Shenzhen in Guangdong province. It takes around 45 minutes by train from Hong Kong Island to reach the first stop over the mainland China border.

You will need to purchase a day-access visa, and you must have your passport with you at all times. Visas can be obtained at the border or your Hong Kong hotel may be able to assist before you leave. Rules are changed regularly, so check it out well before you plan your shopping excursion to avoid disappointment.

Once a tiny fishing village, foreign nations have invested more than $30 billion in factories and joint-ventures. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, evident by its novel and modern cityscape.

Not exactly one for needing retail therapy, Dermott Brereton took the train ride as "research for Getaway viewers who are in need". Once he arrived at Lo Wu, the first shopping centre, he joined other shoppers with vigour.

Lu Wu is huge and is considered the best and most convenient place to shop. It has five floors with shops selling everything imaginable. Clothing, footwear, jewellery, watches, bags and wallets, accessories, electronic goods are available and there's an enormous textile market on the top floor.

You could consider taking a shopping list with you, but chances are you will be overwhelmed by the choice confronting you and the "necessaries" will be forgotten.

Don't forget to haggle for a much better price than the first one offered by a vendor. It's a lot of fun and the vendors expect it. They are friendly and bargain in a non-aggressive way.

If you're new to bargaining, here are some basic rules Dermott discovered. First, ask the price then offer one-third of that price. If the vendor smiles and shakes their head, examine the article again and if you really want it, offer a little more. They will enter an amount into the calculator for you to see and then it's up to you. If you really want it, pick an amount and then take it or leave it. Remember you are paying foreigners' prices and there's always a profit margin for the vendor.

If you leave a shop that has something you may decide you want, take a business card from the vendor. They will be in Chinese so you should write the item you fancy on the card. Shops have numbers, not names, and finding your way back in the maze can be almost impossible.

It's a relatively safe place but there are few things to remember. Dress down, leave jewellery in your hotel safe, keep money and passport close to your body — there are pickpockets around — and take a bag with wheels for your purchases. Bringing a couple of bottles of water is a good idea.

If there are people at home you are shopping for, make sure you have their clothing and shoe sizes with you to avoid disappointment.

Where to buy knock-offs in Asia

and

Insider's Guide to Hong Kong

Location

Shenzhen in China, a 45-minute train ride from Hong Kong.

Cost

Helen Wong's Tours have one-day Shenzhen City and Lo Wu Shopping trips for $147 per person, based on a minimum of two passengers. They include hotel pick-up, return first-class rail between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, city tour, lunch and transfer to Lo Wu Shopping Mall. They run year-round. The Hong Kong dollar is the preferred currency when shopping, but the RMB is happily accepted.

Virgin Atlantic has flights to Hong Kong from:

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Gold Coast $1088

Travel dates and conditions apply.

Prices correct at February 24, 2011.

For further information

Virgin Atlantic Airways
Level 4, 7 Macquarie Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Ph: 1300 727 340

Helen Wong's Tours
Level 11, 99 Bathurst Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Ph: 1300 788 328
Fax: (02) 92677717
www.helenwongstours.com
hwtaus@helenwongstours.com

Visas: Australians require a visa for entry into China.

Electriticy: 220V at 50Hz. Plugs vary so take an international adaptor.

Time zone: GMT +8.

Currency: Hong Kong dollar or RMB.

Telephone code: +86.

It is recommended travellers to China see their doctor at least six weeks before departure as there may be specific vaccinations recommended. Other health precautions and preventions may also be recommended. For further information, visit www.smartraveller.gov.au and www.welltogo.com.au.

User comments

Having already been to China in 2009 (fantastic) a group of us returned in Jan 2010, we skipped from Hong Kong to Shenzhen for a day of shopping.This time we were harassed and followed from the time we got off the train. When declining the price on something of interest we were spat at and followed by a group of thugs we seemed intent on causing us grief. We cut our day trip short and boarded the train without buying anything even though the rest of the day was terrific visiting 'Windows of the World' and lunch at Shangralia Hotel. We learnt on our return to Hong Kong from another traveler that he'd be stopped by police and questioned, this due to the Chinese Government attempts to stop some vendors from selling stolen goods.We were told by the authorities that within twelve months a very large portion of the vendors here would be closed down because of large number of complaints. Hopefully true to their word.We look forward to returning to China as the rest was brillant.

Don't panic when you get there, signs are in english and direct you to visa, money exchange and immigration at the border. Don't be surprised if you are greeted by a young person wanting to take you to their family shops, they can be really helpful. I knew what I was after and was taken to a delightful shop holder who had exactly what I wanted. She had an assistant who did the leg work for me to buy other goods, such as shoes t shirts. They had many catalogues to choose from, so I selected and 5 minutes later they bought them back to me. I am returning next week, and cannot wait.

Thought you might like this.

I liked the vidio show so much, it brought me back to there. It is true that you can treat the bargainning as a fun thing to do. After shopping there, you have got what you want, also it made you the anthoer happy day.