TXE Mall

Hong Kong is never quite what you expect. If it’s a piece of Singapore in China or a financial hub that moves at a frenzied pace, you will definitely find it here but that’s not all. Hong Kong defies definition because of the diversity of its multicultural population and the many layers of vibrancy they add to the skyscraper adorned landscape. This diversity and vitality is also visible in one of its favourite pastimes: retail therapy. Renowned worldwide as a shopper’s Mecca Hong Kong is truly an “everything under one sky’’ sort of retail experience. Hong Kong Island is of course the home base of the nation’s premier malls such as Causeway Bay which houses super department stores including the World Trade Centre, Island Beverley, Times Square, The Lee Gardens, Fashion Island, Lee Theatre Plaza and Lee Garden Two while in Wan Chai Spring Garden Lane and a host of local markets are located. Some of the must-visit super malls in Hong Kong Island include those in Admiralty which specialize in mainly luxury brands and exclusive items while the Lane Crawford department store and Pacific Place are also worth the time. The city’s Central District is home to some of the most luxurious shopping venues of all, including The Galleria, The Landmark, the IFC Mall, Alexandra House and Prince’s Building where atriums and marble surfaces create a fantastic shopping atmosphere. Those on the lookout for antiques should head down to Hollywood Road and professional and wannabe photographers will find a wide range of wares on Stanley Street. Test your haggling skills in the busy sidewalks down Sheung Wan, Li Yuen Street East and West. Kowloon is another retail paradise with Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard and trendy Nathan Road. Other hotspots include Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street and Apuli Street where consumer electronics and accessories reign supreme. Popular shopping centres in Kowloon include Elements, Harbour City and Festival Walk which is sprawled out across one million square feet. Sham Shui Po is ideal for gadget fanatics while the Golden Shopping Centre is a treasure trove for IT enthusiasts. The local markets in Kowloon are also not to be missed as they offer much more than fancy goods, local delicacies in a cultural exchange that will be as memorable as the bargains. Tourists and locals alike frequent the Temple Street Market, Fa Yuen Street Market and the famed Ladies Market while the Jade Market houses over 500 stalls full of idyllic souvenirs made of the precious material. Those in search of local flavour should also check out the Goldfish Market in Tung Choi Street and the Flower Market Road in Mongkok where fresh flowers are abundantly available. The Citygate Outlets Mall offer mind-boggling bargains and discounts throughout the year while other highlights in Lantau include the SkyPlaza and the Hong Kong SkyMart. Shopping in downtown Macau is also a shopaholic’s dream come true as it is the go to locale for those luxury items. Home to one of the largest Louis Vuitton outlets on the globe, Coloane Island also hosts several colourful shopping areas and markets while jewellery connoisseurs should go to Taipa Village while Taipa Island offers global brands at duty free rates. Tsim Sha Tsui in Macau’s Outer Harbour is another must-see locale where furniture antiques and well-known brands are available at affordable prices. Often compared to Bond Street in London the area is a Mecca for those with a flair for style and bargaining. The Langham Hotels group provides some of the best accommodation and the finest 5 star luxury hotels in the island. Ideally appointed The Langham is synonymous with class, comfort and great service.

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Among the many charms of Dubai is shopping. Whether it’s haggling over Persian carpets in the centuries-old souks or shopping for French perfumes in the air-conditioned hush of the most modern department store, Dubai offers every shopper a great experience. And as an open port with low import duties, prices are very attractive. Trade is at the heart of Middle-eastern culture, so the variety of products is staggering.

So if you’re moving for that new job in Dubai , or just spending a few weeks vacation, shopping will be one of the highlights of your visit. Here’s the lowdown on the shopping scene in Dubai. First, let’s look at where to go. We’ll refer to locations relative to the Dubai Creek, the waterway that splits the city into the two halves of Deira and Bur Dubai.

For sheer comfort, you can’t beat Dubai’s many modern shopping plazas. Air-conditioned and furnished with escalators, these multi-storey emporia sell everything from designer fashions to the latest Japanese televisions. They also house restaurants, cafes and movie theaters for the total day out. Among the most prestigious in Bur Dubai is the centrally-located Bur Juman Center, an enormous shopping mall with180 prestigious stores selling high fashion labels for the uber chiq.

Leading malls in the Deira district include Al Mulla Plaza, the Intercontinental Plaza, Abu Hail Shopping Centre, The Galleria, and Al Ghurair Centre Bur Dubai features the Wafi Mall and Holiday Centre Plus there are a host of top class department stores and boutiques spread throughout the city. Emirates mall is one of the most exclusive shopping properties in Dubai, and should not be missed.

Modern malls offer the most convenient and comfortable way to shop. But to uncover the exotic past of this futuristic city, and to savor the sights and smells of the authentic Arab world, you need to head to one of Dubai’s souks. These are the traditional markets of Dubai and you’ll find them on both sides of the creek.

Souks are usually organized into areas selling similar items and are often named after a product. Thus the Gold Souk is the place to pick up gold ornaments. Here you can browse earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants in a stunning variety of designs. A specialty of the local gold craftsmen is creating items in shades of pink, white, yellow or green by varying the alloys.

The nearby Spice Souk is filled with baskets piled with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Browsing here is an aromatic adventure which you can continue in the Perfume Souk. And there’s even a Fish Souk to sell the morning’s catch of fish from the Arabian Sea.

So there’s no shortage of places to shop in Dubai. Now let’s look at some of the practicalities of shopping.

Traditional shopping hours from Saturday to Thursday run from 9:00 a. m. to 9:00 p. m. with a break between 1:00 p. m. and 4:00 p. m. Most modern outlets such as malls and supermarkets stay open all day. All outlets close for prayers on Friday between 11. 30 a. m. to 1. 30 p. m. and many shops stay open late on Fridays.

Bargaining is a traditional part of shopping in Dubai. While most modern outlets have fixed prices, for family businesses and markets, negotiation is a key component of the buying process. One good tip is to check out prices at the fixed-priced outlets before heading to the souks. This will give you an idea of a fair price before you start haggling.

As an entrepot port, you can buy products from all over the world in Dubai. And electronic goods, watches, cameras and such items are competitively priced. You can often pick up fashion items for less than you’d pay in the country of origin due to the low taxes. But don’t leave Dubai without picking up some local delights.

If you’re looking for authentic local souvenirs you have many choices. You can’t go wrong with Arabic coffee pots to remind you of the aromatic local brew. Then there are silver and brass sword and daggers, prayer beads, frankincense, Arabian perfumes, rugs and Persian carpets. And don’t forget pearls. Before oil was discovered in the UAE in the 1950s, the country’s economy was built on fishing and pearling.

The important thing about shopping in Dubai is to enjoy yourself. There are bargains to be found and you can acquire rare and exotic items that will grace your life for many years to come.

When one walks along the Time Square style city centres of Hong Kong it’s easy to forget that one is indeed in Asia and in an island that is inherently Chinese. Despite its miniscule size, this island nation is a global heavy weight when it comes to booming enterprises, financial prowess and tourism. Spread out over 1100 square kilometers it’s not difficult to understand its appeal. It’s compact, easily accessible and it’s got it all. If there’s one thing Honk Kong is known for, it’s the nation’s insatiable appetite for shopping and branded goods. With its’ sky scraping malls and acre wide department stores, one could call the entire country one big shopper’s market with its primary shopping districts spread out across Kowloon, Lantau, Macau, Cheung Chau and the New Territories. When it comes to bargains, look no further than Hong Kong Island’s shopping centres. Drop in to Causeway Bay with its sprawling department stores and its myriad of malls including Fashion Island, World Trade Centre, The Lee Gardens, Times Square, Island Beverley, Lee Garden Two and the Lee Theatre Plaza while in Times Square within Windsor House visitors will find stocks of the latest computer gadgets and tech ware. Spring Garden Lane and market storefronts in Wan Chai also feature great bargains while Queen’s Road East houses some of the finest collections of Chinese and rattan furnishings. Admiralty is the venue of choice if you’re on the hunt for chic designer labels and luxury goods as one of the island’s largest and famous malls, Pacific Place is located here. With over 140 shops the Lane Crawford and Queensway department stores are other must-visit sites that offer the best in branded ware in Admiralty. Hong Kong’s central district is a home base for towering shopping Meccas such as The Landmark, IFC mall Alexandra House, Prince’s Building and The Galleria. With Hong Kong SkyMart, SkyPlaza and the Citygate Outlet in residence, Lantau Island also offers fantastic bargains and a truly invigorating shopping experience. The Citygate Outlet is renowned for its slashed prices and unbelievable discounts all year round while the 300 year old Tai O Village shopping district is also worth exploring. Kowloon offers the idyllic storefronts along Nathan Road which serves as its primary shopping district. Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard is another hot spot in the area while Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street sells clothes and other must haves at whole sale rates. The major shopping malls in Kowloon include the Festival Walk, Harbour City with over 700 stores and Elements which stocks prestigious designer items. Consumer electronics and all sorts of accessories can be found in Aplui Street and Sham Shui Po where the famed Golden Shopping Centre is also located. Home to one of the largest Louis Vuitton outlets in the globe, the Macau shopping landscape is one that deals in luxury and luxury alone. Walk along downtown Macau, the Outer Harbour region, Coloane Island or Taipa Village for antiques, top brands and a shopping experience like no other while discounts and fresh produce are available in the Macau Inner Harbour area. For authentic Chinese goods, visitors can step over to the CRC department store where silks, Chinese dresses and other charming trinkets are on offer at reasonable prices. The New Territories house soaring malls and department stores the likes of Tai Po Plaza, Discovery Park, the New Town Plaza, TMT Plaza, Tsuen Wan Plaza and the Ikea Store among numerous others to make for an unforgettable retail adventure. The Langham Place Mongkok Hong Kong offers guests a comfortable and tranquil rest as one of the finest Hong Kong hotels in the island. This charming hotel Hong Kong is proud to declare; the luxury amenities found here are unparalleled to any other establishment of its kind.

Once a trading post in the 1800s, the things to see in Dallas are varied and interesting. Dallas is not just the oil center of Texas but is filled with many interesting cultural and historic places. It is a beautiful metropolis just waiting for you and your family to visit. A list of the Top Ten Sights to See will show the many interests in this remarkable city. Dallas World Aquarium: Plan on a full day to take in all of the wonder of this world ecosystem exhibit. There are five main tank systems in all and the ones from British Columbia and the rain forest from South America are just two of them. Dallas Zoo: This is one of the oldest zoos in the nation! It’s been around since the 1800s and has a huge display of mammals and reptiles and over 300 species of birds. The 100+ acre preserve is set up to mimic the natural habitat of each species as much as is possible. Dallas Museum of Art: The Museum of Art has a wonderful collection of American artists, as well as European and Asian masterpieces. Noted for the Ten Treasures, it also displays collections from other museums and private individuals. Dallas Arboretum: The 60 acres of this awesome arboretum with it’s thousands upon thousands of plant species was recently named “Top 10 Best Public Gardens” by Southern Living magazine. A trip here will leave you spellbound. White Rock Lake: This is another sight that will easily take up a whole day. It has nine miles of trail encircling the lake and is home to waterfalls and scenic wonders. You can fish, hike, hunt, camp and even horseback ride here, and renting a boat and getting on the lake is a worthwhile experience. Plaza of the Americas: This is shopping at its best! The Plaza is home to hundreds of stores, many wonderful restaurants and the world famous Le Meridien Hotel, where you might catch a glimpse of the many celebrity visitors to the region. A nearby park is even home to an ice skating rink! Reunion Tower: Often compared to Sears Tower, this wonder of Dallas is a magnificent addition to the skyline for the last twenty years. The dome itself is well worth the visit and is brilliantly lit up at night and can be seen for miles. It is a wonderful tour to take. Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art: One of the few Asian art museums in the country, this museum has thousands and thousands of paintings, sculptures and carvings that can not be viewed any where else. This is definitely an attraction to visit when in Dallas. The Old Red Courthouse: Listed on the Register of Historic Places as a City of Dallas Landmark and as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, this courthouse was built in the 1800s and is located in Dallas County Historic Plaza. Its design recalls the Romanesque Revival period. Free tours are available. Ice Skating Center at the Galleria: There are not many indoor ice skating centers located in shopping malls anymore but this one at The Galleria Dallas shopping mall is a great place to come and have fun. Whether it’s summer or winter you can bring the kids and enjoy a day on the ice.

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1. Dallas World Aquarium 1801 North Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202-1503 +1 214 720 2224 info@dwazoo. com Open Hours10a-5p daily http://www. dwazoo. com Discover a South American rainforest filled with unique plants and animals such as monkeys, colorful toucans, crocodiles, manatees and otters. The aquarium portion features 85,000-gallons of saltwater with marine life from around the world. Rare sea dragons, giant clams and endangered sea turtles are but a few of the intriguing animals on display. An outdoor lagoon-like exhibit features Black-footed penguins. See their website for information on special exhibits. 2. Dallas Arboretum 8525 Garland Road Dallas, TX 75218-4335 +1 214 515 6550 events@dallasarboretum. org Open Hours9a-5p M-Su, Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day http://www. dallasarboretum. org/ Off the shores of White Rock Lake lies the garden of a lifetime. The 66 acres of lush, perfectly manicured landscapes hold a treasure trove of trees, bushes and flowers are sure to make anyone green with envy. Quaint and quiet walkways meander throughout the grounds with countless coves. The DeGolyer House, a 1940s-style Spanish mansion, is also located on the grounds. Tours of the house and its sculpture garden are offered. The Johnson Color Gardens, the Woman’s Garden, and the Lay Ornamental Garden with water walls are exquisite features of the picturesque grounds. Dallas Car Rental 3. Dallas Museum of Art 1717 North Harwood Street Dallas, TX 75201-2315 +1 214 922 1200 humanresources@DallasMuseumofArt. org Open Hours11a-5p Tu-W, 11a-9p Th, 11a-5p F-Su http://www. dallasmuseumofart. org The cornerstone feature of the Arts District, this museum holds a renowned collection of treasures and timeless exhibits. Permanent collections include Ten Treasures, highlighting the key areas of the museum’s interests and the Wendy & Emery Reves Collection, a personal gathering of quality pieces from their mansion. A multitude of temporary exhibits travel into and out of various galleries, such as the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs . 4. White Rock Lake 8300 East Lawther Drive Dallas, TX 75218-3308 +1 214 670 8740 Open Hours6am-midnight daily http://www. dallasparks. org/Parks/whiterock. aspx White Rock Lake has 9-plus miles of waterfront trails;the complete loop around the lake takes about three hours. Also offered are fishing, sailing and horseback riding. Those who enjoy bird watching will find that the lake attracts a wide variety of birds; note especially the green parrots at the south end of the lake. There are also several playgrounds and picnic areas are reservable. An experimental ecology center is in the making. 5. Reunion Tower 300 Reunion Boulevard E. Dallas, TX 75207-4409 +1 214 651 1234 Open Hours10a-midnight F, 9a-midnight Sa, 10a-10p Su-Th This Dallas landmark has graced the downtown skyline since 1978. Three levels of activity top the 50-story structure, which are encircled in a dome of lights. The triangle formations of the structural cylinders encase the elevators that carry passengers to the top levels in 68 seconds. For the more actively inclined, an 837-step stairwell is located in the middle of the tower. Over 200 lights add shimmer to the geodesic dome, which can be programmed to form an infinite number of patterns. . . 6. Ice Skating Center at the Galleria 13350 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75240-6605 +1 972 392 3361 Open HoursHours vary http://galleriaiceskatingcenter. com/ Take to the ice in the middle of the Galleria Dallas . This unique ice skating rink is located in the center of the mall and is surrounded by four levels of grand shopping. The Center offers “broomball,” beginner to advanced skating lessons, open public skating sessions, and has provisions for private parties. Rental equipment is available at a nominal charge. This is a great place for children to use up some of their inexhaustible energy or as a terrific family outing. 7. Dallas Zoo 650 S R. L. Thornton Freeway Dallas, TX 75203-3013 +1 214 670 5656 info@dalzoo. org Open Hours9a-4:30p M-Su http://www. dallaszoo. org Dallas Zoo encompasses 95 acres of exotic and traditional zoo animals. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by the tallest statue in Texas—a 67. 5 foot giraffe. The Wilds of Africa attraction includes the chimpanzee forest, the gorilla center and an aviary on a quarter-mile nature trail where six natural habitats are featured: forest, mountain, woodland, river, desert and brush. A 20-minute monorail ride runs the course of the attraction and costs an additional fee. The ZooNort. . . 8. Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art 2010 Flora Street Dallas, TX 75201-2335 +1 214 979 6430 dskliris@crowcollection. org Open HoursTu-Su 10a-5p, Th 10a-9p http://www. crowcollection. org This fine collection of Asian art includes more than 300 paintings, sculptures and architectural items that have been part of the personal collection of real estate czar Trammell Crow and his wife for more than 30 years. Although originally acquired for personal enjoyment, many pieces in this vast collection are museum quality. Highlights include a 120-item exhibit from the Crows’ 1,200 piece Chinese jade collection, the world’s second-largest impeccable crystal ball (19th century. . . 9. Old Red Courthouse 100 South Houston Street Dallas, TX 75202-3502 +1 214 745 1100 info@oldred. org Open Hours8a-4:30p M-F, by appointment only Sa-Su http://www. oldred. org/oldredcourthouse. html The Old Red Courthouse is an outstanding feature of the Dallas County Historic Plaza. It was built in 1892 in Romanesque Revival style. It is constructed of rough-cut, red pecos sandstone and trimmed in Arkansas blue granite. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a City of Dallas Landmark and a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. Four prior courthouses have graced the same location. The Visitor Information Center is on the ground level, and the high tech Internet Cafe is housed in one of the turrets. 10. Plaza of the Americas 700 North Pearl Street Dallas, TX 75201-2824 1 214 720 8000 Open Hours Vary Known for its exquisite architectural style, Plaza of the Americas consists of an upscale shopping center, as well as two 25-story mirrored office towers located on the north and south ends of the blocks, Le Meridien Hotel on the west end of the block, and a connecting atrium which houses a popular ice skating rink. Located on the northeast end of Downtown Dallas, the stylish shopping mall features more than 40 restaurants, services and shops.

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