Li Fangyu shops at Hong Kong outlets — Prada is right next to a wet market!

Reporter Zhu XX, Northern Bureau/News Department

As a host on fashion and travel shows and a regular on a well-known women’s program, foodie and travel enthusiast Li Fangyu also knows how to snag discounts and shop like crazy for the best deals. Having just wrapped up a three-day trip to Hong Kong, she not only indulged in delicious eats but also came back with bags full of loot starting from as much as 80% off — showcasing her top-tier shopping skills. She says the thing she hates most about shopping is “wandering aimlessly.”

%The contrast between wandering around without direction and the thrill of scoring great deals (Photo / Provided by Li Fangyu, same for images below)

Having visited Hong Kong countless times, many people end up exhausting themselves because there’s just so much to eat, see, and buy. Li Fangyu said, “Whenever I travel, I always list out the specific ‘spots’ I want to go to and plan my transportation in advance. I’d never waste precious time ‘wandering aimlessly’ or stuck in transit — that makes shopping feel rushed and superficial, which is absolutely not OK.”

Aside from food, visiting outlets is a must-do for shoppers in Hong Kong, and Li Fangyu has her own tricks for scoring bargains. “Hong Kong may have lots of outlets, but many are like warehouses — not only messy and uncomfortable to walk around in, but the prices and selection also feel just okay. This time, I visited the new outlet at Citygate, which features many brands that Taiwanese people love, and the discounts are huge. Stuff that costs tens of thousands in Taiwan, I got here for just over 3,000 NT dollars. Discounts in Taiwan are too wishy-washy.”

▲ The world-famous PRADA outlet is located right next to a street market. Li Fangyu shows off her 80%-off finds.

In addition, following a friend Liu Yixin’s recommendation, Li Fangyu also tracked down an official PRADA outlet store — and incredibly, it’s located right next to a wet market on Ap Lei Chau. The contrast was so surprising it left her stunned. “Everything inside is brand new, and the discounts start from 50% off. Everyone, come pay a ‘pilgrimage’ visit.” There’s also the seven-floor FOREVER 21 in Causeway Bay. “It’s practically a mini department store, with clearly categorized goods on each floor — you could easily get lost shopping floor after floor!”

“Shopping at Hong Kong’s luxury outlets is actually pretty straightforward. Since Hong Kong trends move quickly and inventory gets refreshed fast, discounts are also more generous. I recommend that when you visit Hong Kong, look for brands that aren’t available in Taiwan. Most importantly, be precise with your shopping targets. And again, really — don’t wander aimlessly.”