One of the top activities that most, if not all, tourists do when they’re visiting another country is shopping. From cultural handicrafts and unique culinary delight to touristy T-shirts and home ornaments, there are plenty of things you can buy to bring home and remember your trip by.
Sometimes, it’s also more practical to shop overseas for specific items. For example, for those who are fond of cooking, certain spices are likely to be more affordable in their origin countries, as are goods that are only manufactured in specific locations. Meanwhile, if you’re visiting East Asia, you can add electronics to your shopping list. Countries like Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, among others, are known to be mature markets for high-tech products, so you’re sure to find great deals on smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets in these countries.
In short, if you’re looking forward to a great vacation with some gadgets and electronics shopping on the side, pick a destination in Asia.
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Here are a few recommendations for the best locations of Asian Shops:
#1 Singapore
Also known as the “Lion City,” Singapore is famous for its world-class transportation system, well-manicured green spaces, and airport that’s a tourist destination in and of itself. Singapore also boasts a top-notch shopping experience, with many retail centres offering an impressive selection of electronics.
Orchard Road, a renowned dining, entertainment and shopping hub in Singapore’s Central Area, features upscale malls like ION Orchard and Paragon. Here, you can find flagship stores and authorised resellers of major electronics brands. There’s also Sim Lim Square, an IT and electronics mall, where you can find a wide array of gadgets, from smartphones to audio equipment at reasonable prices. It’s also an option to go online to shop for the best cheap phones Singapore has to offer.
#2 Hong Kong, SAR
The bustling metropolis of Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Asia for a lot of reasons, including being a bona fide shopper’s paradise. Among the best places to visit are the Sham Shui Po street markets in Kowloon, which are a treasure trove of electronic goods. There’s also the Mong Kok Computer Centre and the Golden Computer Arcade, which both offer a wide selection of smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other gadgets.
Like Singapore, Hong Kong is a free port zone that makes it a major transhipment point for many high-tech products. Thus, the competitive prices of electronics are hard to beat here!
If you’re looking to launch a business in HKSAR, Hong Kong offers a vibrant and dynamic environment for entrepreneurs. With its strategic location, robust financial infrastructure, and low tax regime, starting a company here can lead to significant growth opportunities. Navigating the process of setting up a business in Hong Kong is streamlined, making it an attractive choice for both local and international investors.
#3 Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the vibrant capital of Thailand and a popular destination for shopping, including for various types of electronics. Head over to the IT Mall in Fortune Town for all your electronic needs, no matter if you require a digital camera, a smartwatch, or even a TV. On the other hand, the eight-storey MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong, is also a haven for tech enthusiasts, with several floors dedicated mostly to stores selling mobile phones and mobile accessories. There are also plenty of electronics repair shops in MBK. So, just in case your gadgets break down on you while travelling, you can bring them over to MBK Centre to have them fixed.
#4 Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, is home to numerous electronics markets and tech-friendly districts. If you ever decide to visit, make sure to include Guanghua Digital Plaza in your itinerary. It’s a six-storey tech products market, housing numerous shops offering the latest gadgets and electronic accessories. No matter what kind of electronics or gadgets you’re looking for—from smartphones and tablets to computer components and peripherals—you can be sure to find them at Guanghua Digital Plaza.
Additionally, the Ximending district is a popular spot for mobile phone shopping. While it’s not solely focused on electronics like Guanghua, Ximending still boasts a great selection of gadgets and related accessories.
#5 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia’s bright and vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur is the home of the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin structures. It’s also one of the most popular destinations for electronics shopping in Southeast Asia. In particular, Low Yat Plaza is a premium shopping destination for mobile phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, gaming accessories, and everything IT-related. The best thing about Low Yat Plaza is that it houses numerous specialised stores. Thus, it’s convenient for shoppers to compare prices and find the best deals.
If you’re looking for CCTV systems, audio-visual products, and various types of ELV electronics, on the other hand, you might have some luck at Japan Palar in Pudu, a street that is also home to a traditional market and a variety of stalls and shops.
#6 Tokyo, Japan
Japan is the home of multiple pioneering technology and electronics brands like Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba, Casio, and many others. In short, it’s also one of the best places in Asia to find your electronics and personal gadgets. If you happen to be visiting Tokyo, make sure to drop by Akihabara. Also known as Electric Town, Akihabara is a must-visit destination for tech enthusiasts. This district is home to scores of shops that offer an overwhelming variety of electronic goods, from the latest smartphones and gaming consoles to cameras and home appliances.
Popular shopping centres in Electric Town, like Yodobashi Akiba, Edion Akiba, and Bic Camera Akiba, are well-stocked with a wide range of gadgets, making them veritable havens for tech-savvy shoppers. Of course, you can also do some anime merchandise shopping while in Akihabara.
Another place you should check out for electronics while in Tokyo is Ikebukuro. Like in Akihabara, Bic Camera has big stores in this district, namely the Bic Camera Ikebukuro PC Store and the Bic Camera Ikebukuro East Outlet Store. There’s also the LABI1 Yamada Denki Ikebukuro, which, like Bic Camera, is a chain store with a nationwide presence all over Japan. Their Ikebukuro store carries numerous PC, camera, and gaming products, as well as electronics for beauty and wellness purposes.
#7 Seoul, South Korea
Apart from K-pop and Korean dramas, South Korea is also famous for its innovative global tech brands like Samsung, LG, and SK. You can find these products from these renowned manufacturers and so much more in Seoul’s Yongsan Electronics Market. Composed of more than 20 buildings and over 5,000 stores, Yongsan is a major hub for electronic goods. Their enormous selection includes smartphones, computers, televisions, and video game consoles, among many other products.
Gadget enthusiasts should also explore the trendy district of Gangnam, which features high-end electronics stores, flagship smartphone outlets, and other popular retail hubs that focus on electronics.
#8 Shenzhen, China
One of China’s largest cities, Shenzhen, is a global hub of commerce and technology, as well as being the hometown of internationally renowned tech brands like Huawei. It’s also the place to find the massive Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, one of the largest in the world at 1.5 square kilometres. It’s a paradise for tech enthusiasts looking for affordable electronics, including mobile phones, computer components, and accessories. Make sure to visit some of the most popular retail centres in the area for electronic products, which include the Seg Electronic Plaza, the Huaqiang Electronic World, and the Yuanwang Digital Mall.
Asian Shops – Takeaways
Whether you’re seeking the latest gadgets or unique tech finds, these Asian destinations offer diverse options to cater to every tech enthusiast’s needs. Make sure to visit them when you get to spend your next holiday in these places.
