Asia's top 10 shopping destinations

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is the land of some of the biggest and impressive shopping malls. From posh malls to open air markets and streets lined with hawkers, Hong Kong offers a huge variety for shoppers. Festival Walk, Harbour City, Times Square and The Landmark.

Pacific Place, The Landmark, The Galleria, Prince's Building, Alexandra House and the IFC mall are the main shopping centres. Admiralty is known for luxury goods.

And for those of you looking for some street shopping, two parallel streets called Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West have clothing, watches, jewellery, luggage, shoes at cheap rates. Hong Kong also has amazing sales during summer (July to September) and winter (late December to February). 

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is the second best shopping destination in Asia. Bangkok is a shopper's haven, a place that offers great discounts.

Towering malls and bustling street markets, Bangkok has great avenues to make your shopping an unforgettable experience. From antiquities, designer jewellery, clothes, CDs, electronic goods, Bangkok has an elaborate fare to attract all types of buyers. Central World Plaza is the biggest mall in Bangkok.

Thailand Emporium is an excellent shopping centre. Siam Discovery, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza Bangkok, MBK Shopping Centre, Siam Paragon, Pantip Plaza on Petchaburi Road are some favourites among shoppers.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place to go for anything related to computers. Bangkok Patpong Night Market offers a wide range of fake goods such as watches, clothes, bags etc.

3. Singapore

It's a delight to shop in the lively city of Singapore . With designer boutiques, local and international department stores, speciality shops and bargain counters, cafes and restaurants, shopping is truly a pleasure here.

With over 250 malls, the shopping avenues in Singapore are endless. Orchard Road is a favourite among shoppers with malls selling clothes, shoes, electronics goods, furniture, rugs, cosmetics.

Kampong Glam & Arab Street, Bugis, Geylang Serai, Marina Bay, Little India, North Bridge Road, Raffles Place Riverside are must-visits. The Riverside area by River Valley Road houses the newest and oldest shops in Singapore. Raffles Place and Shenton Way are crowded shopping areas for a variety of stuff.

Also look out for unique arts, antiques, handicrafts and carpets. Singapore organizes a mid-year sale, which is the best time to go for shopping.

4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

hopping in Kuala Lumpur is exciting and fun. Shops offer great variety, and value. Shopping malls, department stores, hypermarkets, shopping arcades, specialty stores, handicraft centers, duty-free shops, you have everything here.

The city also has night markets or 'pasar malam'. You can find hawkers selling a variety of local stuff, food items, clothing and cakes at these markets.

The Shopping Carnival, an annual sale held in October/November in Kuala Lumpur. Popular shopping areas are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Cheng Lock, Petaling Street, Jalan H.S. Lee Bangsar, China town and central Market. The famous malls are Bukit Bintang Plaza, Low Yat Plaza shopping center Imbi Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, Starhill Plaza.

5. Manila, Philippines

Manila is known for its interesting book stores, handicraft stores, antique shops, and specialty stores, which make customised shoes, lamp shades, furniture etc.

Major Filipino department stores are Rustans, Landmark, Shoemart, Robinsons. Other must-visit places are the Ayala Centre for designer casual wear. It also has restaurants, bars, cafes, movie houses, bookstores and shops selling jewelry, apparel, accessories, shoes, and furniture. 

6. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo offers an interesting shopping experience. Shibuya is a major shopping area for Japanese fashion. Tokyo has many 100 Yen shops similar to $1 shops around the globe.

These are good places to buy cheap souvenirs. Takeshita-dori, a narrow street has fashion boutiques and cafes. The Nakamise Shopping Arcade offers traditional souvenirs. Other interesting shopping areas are Kappabashi Dori, Oriental Bazaar for great gift items and Harajuku Fashion.

Jimbocho is Tokyo's bookshop hotspot. For good clothing, head to Harajuku, Shibuya or Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji. Meida Dori Avenue in Ochanomizu is known for musical instrument shops.

The Yamaha music store in Ginza sells almost every musical instrument. Yasukuni Dori in Ochanomizu is the place to go for sports shops. The best shopping locations are Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukero (JR Yamanote Line), Ginza and Nihombashi (Ginza Subway Line).

7. Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a shopper's dream come true. Must-visit shopping areas are Nanjing Road, for a wide variety of old shops and modern malls. Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road which has designer brands from around the world.

For cheap shopping, head to North Sichuan Road. And for a taste of ethnic cuisine, head to Middle Tibet Road. Parkson Shopping Centre on the Huaihai Road is worth visiting.

Yuyuan Shopping City, Xujiahui Shopping City, New Shanghai Shopping City and Jiali Sleepless City are the famous 'shopping cities' in Shanghai.

While Yuyuan shopping city offers specialist Chinese goods, the new shopping and entertainment hub, Xujiahui offers a huge variety for shoppers. Other places to visit are New Shanghai Shopping City. Jiali Sleepless City facing Shanghai Railway Station is also a good place for shopping.

8. Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is a great place for shopping silks, silver, embroidered goods, and ethnic crafts. Hanoi is known for good quality silk cloth, which you can get stitched in a day.

Many shops are lined along Hang Gai Street (better known as Silk Street). For ethnic products, there are several stores around Hang Be, Hang Bach, and Dinh Liet. Khai Silk is the place to visit for quality silks and linen clothing.

For decorative items and souvenirs, streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake are the best like the Nha Tho Street. For silver, antique oddities, and traditional crafts, try Hong Hoa Hang Dau Street. Hanoi has many galleries of oil, silk, water, and lacquer paintings. Asia House is a must-visit for wooden furniture.

9. Seoul, Korea

Shopping and entertainment go hand-in-hand in Seoul, making it the 9th best shopping hotspot in Asia. Head to Myong-dong, for great shopping deals and entertainment.

The Namdaemun Market is popular for good bargains in clothes and food. Itaewon is a bargain haven. This is place for buying export rejects at throwaway prices.

Apkujong offers fashiobalbe wear while Tongdaemun Market is a hub for inexpensive stuff. KoreaInsa-dong houses antique stores, art galleries and secondhand bookstores.

Chang-anp'yong antique market also has a huge variety on offer. Seoul also has the Yongsan Electronics Market, one of the largest electronics market in Asia

10. Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen is the tenth best shopping destination in Asia. A fast developing city, Shenzhen has a number of department stores and shopping centres.

Shezhen offers good buys in electrical appliances clothing, jewellery and seafood. Lo Wu Shopping Mall is a favorite shopping centre. If you are in Hong Kong, you can take a train to Shenzhen for some great shopping.

The prices in Shenzhen are incredible, people are friendly and shops offer a great variety. Dongmen and Hua Qiang Bei Lu are popular places to shop.