Every time I go to Shenzhen, I notice more and more shops selling women's off-season designer clothes and I mean top-of-the-line European designer brands. The silk dresses are selling for a little over $600, a fraction of their original price. Some clothes still have their brand labels sewed on; others are clipped, making their origin unreadable. However, a quick look at the styling and sewing detail will reveal their high quality origin. It would appear that many of them are samples. The largest size would be the equivalent of a US size 6. Here are a few of the shops selling this apparel:

Third floor - 3217A, 3179, 3182. Check the book for their exact location.

The "Metro",as they call it in Shenzhen, opened in December 2004 and makes travel much easier throughout the city. If you plan on traveling to the Dongmen area or Hua Qiang Lu, make sure to go by this new urban railway. It's fast, safe and cheap. To go shopping in the Dongmen area, go to the "Lao Jie" stop and head for Exit A. If you're going to the other large shopping area - Hua Xiang Bei Lu, go to the "Hua Xiang Lu" stop.

As you exit the Shenzhen immigration from Hong Kong, look out for the new tourist bureau. The ladies speak English and will help you find anywhere you want to go. They'll also tell you that the best shopping is in Dongmen but don't miss the Lowu Commercial City mall next door. Dongmen is young and trendy. The mall, by Chinese standards, is more suited to western tastes.

This is a great website managed by and catering to expats living in or traveling to Shenzhen. It provides timely information about social and cultural happenings, restaurants, night clubs and hotels.

God help you if that happens! I keep hearing about people having their passport pick pocketed. If it happened to you, I guarantee that you did not place it in a safe, hard to reach place in your bag. This fact is an essential ingredient to every successful pickpocket's story. It gets very complicated to get a new passport or some documentation to get you back to Hong Kong . It will take you a few days, at least. If it happens to you, here are two numbers to call: One is the Shenzhen police hotline. Just dial 110. Another number to call is the Hong Kong liaison office of the Immigration Department, which advises people who run into such problems in Shenzhen - (852) 2829 3010/ 2543 1958.

Here's a tip from the pro herself. Tula Mylonas, the Y's Shenzhen shopping guide highly recommends this manicure shop, particularly for gel nails. Shop #3193.

Eve Roth-Lindsay, Hong Kong 's colour and style consultant, swears by shop #4420 for acrylic nails.

I discovered an attractive new handbag shop, #3192 . The styles are attractive and nicely displayed. The prices? Depends on how well you bargain!

This shop has a supply of women's coats made of the lightest most luxurious cashmere for just over $1000HK. They are end of season leftovers so hurry before they disappear for the summer. Shop #3156.

Great styles and sizes up to 11. Shop #3131

Suits and casual clothes. Shop #3156

These are two great shops if you're looking for attractive Chinese curios to buy as souvenirs of your stay. 1st Floor, shops # 1010 and 1049.

I love this shop although have never bought anything here yet. The clothes look fascinating. Go take a look at what Chinese ethnic groups wear. Shop #4388 A11.

Shopping in Shenzhen just gets better and better! Since I first published this book at the end of 2002, shopkeepers, particularly at Lowu Commercial Centre, have become more and more savvy about what International shoppers are looking for. There are fewer shops duplicating each other, fewer shops with items of no interest and more and more shops offering a product lineup that makes this mall like no other place. It's like a living breathing organism that adapts to shoppers' needs. The 2005 Version of 'Shop in Shenzhen - An Insider's Guide' reflects all these changes. Check out Lowu Commercial City's new boutique street, its new jewellery market and trends, its growing designer (factory) outlet stores and much more.

Buy a book for a friend, for a visitor to the area or go ahead and buy it for yourself. A glance through the book will reassure you with lots of inside information that going to Shenzhen can be as safe and fun as going anywhere in Hong Kong. Read below for some of the latest shopping tips. Also included is a thorough summary about obtaining China visas.

Let's get this out of the way. Shenzhen is probably the fastest growing city in China. Jobless people flock to the place from all over China. Unfortunately, a relative few resort to stealing by hanging out in busy places and together with others, picking the bags of unsuspecting people. That's the key. Any self-respecting pickpocketer won't bother if you're aware of your surroundings at all times and keep your guard up. That means belt bags or handbags that are hard to get into and zipped up at all times. They're only looking for easy pickings. Use your brain and lock up! Also, if a really sweet person that you don't know offers to take you by car or by taxi to a place that has unbelievable deals? Don't go! Think about it. Would you do this at home? No! So don't do it in Shenzhen. Shopping in Shenzhen is as safe as you want it to be.

The tourist association now has a shop in the Lowu/Shenzhen Customs Hall near the travel agents and property touters. They have English speakers, maps of the city and flyers with a wide variety of tourist information. The staff is very friendly and eager to help you enjoy Shenzhen.

In the same area as the Tourist Association shop, you'll find an HSBC cash machine that dispenses Yuan. You'll need Yuan in Shenzhen. Of course, you can use HK dollars just about anywhere but your change will be in Yuan without the conversion advantage. Lowu Commercial City mall is the only exception to this rule. They will give you back change in HK dollars.

What else is new? They're dying for your business and never too busy to take on more. The fabric market is full of winter fabrics. Lots of cashmere and Chanel-style weaves. These days, all the tailors are showing off their version of the Channel jacket with frayed edges by displaying it at the front of their stall.

Go to 100A in the fabric market and have the stall keeper make up sheets, pillowcases and duvets for you. Her fabric is about 5 feet wide, manufactured especially for bedding. Ask to see her swatch books too.

Yes! Bazaars! Now there are two of them, and the latest one is the best. The first is great for buying pearls, jade and glass jewellery. The latest one has all the semi-precious stones. Some even have spacers and clasps for you jewellery crafters out there! The best? They'll make up any necklace you want as long as you buy part of the stones from them. I know a wonderful shop that sells gorgeous custom-made necklaces and bracelets. Bring her a picture of a piece of jewellery that you'd love to have and watch her make it up before your very eyes. Oh, sorry. I can't tell you the number of the shop. It's in my new 2005 updated guide. Oh well, you'll have to buy it!

They're all over the place. Great fashionable styles. Saunter over there and take a look!

You heard me! Factory outlet stuff! Not many shops are selling designer clothes as yet but wouldn't it be great if more shops started doing it? I've identified a few in my new 2005 update. I'm dying to find more. Here's a challenge for you! Write me with the number of a shop selling designer clothes (as in factory outlet) and send in your address too because I'll send you a free copy of my new book.

Anyone can apply for a visa to visit China. You can either apply:

• in the country of your residence, or
• in Hong Kong or
• at the Lowu (HK)/Shenzhen border crossing.

Unfortunately, it's not always straightforward. If you're particularly worried about obtaining a visa, call the Chinese consulate in Hong Kong from Monday to Friday from 9-5. They break for lunch (12:30 -2) and if too busy at the counter at other times, they won't (sic) answer the phone. Just keep trying. They speak English. (852) 3413 2424. A warning though - they know nothing about applying for a China visa at the Lowu/Shenzhen border "That's another department " they say.

A lady from Chicago wrote me that the Chinese consulate in Chicago would not grant her a visa unless she showed some documents saying she was part of a China tour. Others have told me that they obtained their visa in the country they reside in without a problem and that it was cheaper than in HK. It would therefore seem that Chinese visa rules are not always consistent. Perhaps this is why they do not as yet have visa rules posted on an English government website. If you're not sure, call the Chinese consulate in Hong Kong.

Nearly any tourist or business person can apply for a China visa at the Chinese Consulate in Wanchai North, at the Japan Travel Office in Tsim Sha Tsui, or at any branch of the China Travel Service throughout Hong Kong. And you don't need to be part of a tour. There are other visa granting travel agencies in the city but these are the main ones, from the cheapest to the most expensive. Please note that US passport holders can only apply at the Chinese Consulate. No other agency is licensed to grant visas to them. These agencies require that you leave your passport with them and provide them with a photo. The cost of a visa varies by the country of your passport and by how fast you want it. You can get it next day but you'll need to pay more. You can get single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visas. Multiple-entry visas are usually granted to tourists who have previously had a visa to enter China.

If you're only going to Shenzhen, and you've got the right passport, then this is the easiest way to go.  You can get a visa at the border as long as you only want a single-entry visa . It'll take you about 10 minutes.

•  BUT, if you have a US , UK or Pakistani passport, you cannot obtain one at the Shenzhen border and will be penalized ($) if you arrive there without one. Get it beforehand at the Chinese consulate in Hong Kong

The cost of your visa will depend on the country of your passport. If you are a passport holder from a 'non-reciprocal' country, then you will pay more (in some cases, much more) Non-reciprocal countries are too numerous to list here but include the UK, the US, Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico, some South and Latin American countries, some Eastern European Countries and some African countries. If you have any doubt, and you should as the prices change with the political winds, then call the Chinese consulate.

On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to have a passport from a 'reciprocal country', you will pay as little as HK$150 for a single-entry visa.

Now armed with a visa and all the HK dollars you'll need,
HAVE A GREAT TIME IN SHENZHEN!  

I’ve mentioned this before but it comes in handy if you’re bypassing LCC and going out shopping in Dongmen, Hua Qiang Bei Lu or elsewhere. This ATM machine gives out Chinese RMB only. You can find it in the Customs building where all the travel agents are.

This is a shop that has a wide range of various colors of stringed pearls. They have wonderful necklaces and bracelets already made up or will make them up for you on the spot. Bring in a swatch of the fabric for the dress of suit you’re having made up and they will make up the jewelry to suit it. For ideas of the look you want, look through the www.google.com (“More”> “Catalogues”>Jewelry). You’ll find plenty of ideas. Print one out and bring it in to shop 3154, Section B.

Another shop that makes up jewelry according to your wishes is stall #2-15 in the 2nd floor Jewelry Market. You’ll have to buy their beads and stones but if you have some of your own that you want to add, by all means ask them to. The same goes for shop 3154.

Tula is a professional Shenzhen shopper. She is best known as the lady who leads guided shopping tours to Shenzhen with the Hong Kong YWCA. She doesn’t do these very often but in between, she gives private tours. She knows Lowu Commercial City like the back of her hand. She has relationships with the best tailors and with the many vendors in the mall. Tula charges a reasonable fee for a day of shopping and never takes a cut. Her job is to get you wonderful deals at the best prices. Coming to Hong Kong for a fast visit or prefer not to go to Shenzhen alone? Give her a call. Tula Mylonas at (852) 2552 8014 or email her at pmylo@netvigator.com.

I keep hearing about expats who buy a copy of the book for their out-of-town guests and send them off on the train to Shenzhen. What a good way of keeping everyone happy!

To add a little more interest to my new book, I included a section on buying antiques in Zhuhai. Those who know Zhuhai realize that it’s on the other side of the river from Shenzhen so why would I even include it in a shopping guide to Shenzhen? I can’t think of a single logical reason other than it was a way of telling prospective antique shoppers how to get to that elusive place where many local antique dealers get their furniture. You’ll find this section gives you all the details you need to get there and to buy the antiques.

For those who’ve never been to Zhuhai, it is a short 1 hour and 10 minute comfortable ferry ride from the centre of the Hong Kong to Zhuhai. All the details can be found in the “Updated Version”.

The sellers at the Jewelery Market are getting better and better at understanding what western women want. Now you’ll find more interesting necklaces and various new combinations of stones.

Check out Judy’s Pearls at G44 in the second floor market. She has also opened a lovely jewelery shop on the 3rd floor, shop #3156 (Section B in the book).

If you live in Hong Kong or if you're travelling through, make a point of shopping in Shenzhen. BUT, don't commit the folly of going without my book. I swear. It'll make all the difference between being lost and overwhelmed and finding shopping nirvana.

This is a friendly warning: When browsing through the Fabric market at Lowu Commercial City, try to control yourself. It will be very difficult. Your creative juices will go into overdrive. In your mind's eye, you will see a pure white light through which you emerge, walking down the runway in your fashionable new clothes designed by you and tailored for a pittance. Take a deep breath (1,2,3), and stick to your plan otherwise, you'll go home saying, "did I really need to get another two suits made up?". Of course, I want you to shop, but go with a pre-determined plan and stick to it.

There are still plenty of linens, lightweight stretchy poplins, wonderful whimsical prints, cheerful pastels, camouflage, denims and of course, lots of Chinese and Thai silks. Start thinking of that fall wardrobe now too. The fall and winter fabrics will begin to arrive around September 15th although if you look around, you'll see plenty of four season fabrics.

Also:

• Check out shop 2138 for exquisite silks and brocades.
• When adding buttons, ask the tailor to sew them on with extra thread.

Out of this world! They'll all over Lowu Commercial City at the moment. Prices start high but aim for a third of the quoted price. If they don't budge, go elsewhere.

You'll see beautiful ones at shops 2155 (in front of the escalators), 4077A and at 281-283. Don't forget to ask for business cards so you can come back to your favorite shops.

Sally the tailor has moved to the 5th floor. Look for her in the Shi Market, the large area facing the bubble lift. Head for the entrance next to the flute maker across from and to the right of the lift. She is in the back at 3B-1. Otherwise, ask around for her at the Fabric Market. Someone will show you how to find her. Sally does a great job, particularly if you want to have a more traditional Chinese outfit made up.

If you plan on getting a manicure or pedicure, make sure to bring your own polish. The selection at the beauty shops is limited.

Here are the prices of the single journey Shenzhen visa that you can obtain at the Lowu border crossing.

To all my friends and fellow shoppers who send in their ideas, particularly to Eve Roth-Lindsay, Jane Camens, Doreen Weisenhaus and others who have sent in their contributions by sending me tips through this site, keep it up! Your ideas, no matter how seemingly insignificant, are appreciated by shoppers who check out this website and particularly, by ME!

Have a productive and fun shopping experience!

As I’ve mentioned in the March shopping tips, British passport holders, until now, could not apply for a one-way visa to Shenzhen as they go through Chinese Immigration at the Lowu Visa office. The good news is that the sanction has been lifted. If you are British and don’t have a visa to travel to Shenzhen, you can now apply for it at the Visa office at the Lowu/Shenzhen Chinese Immigration office. The fee is HK$100 and, takes about 15 minutes. If you plan to shop in Shenzhen more frequently however, check out the visa options available to you in the chapter, “YOU'LL NEED A VISA” of my book.

This is a correction to the June/July recommendation regarding a banking machine at the Lowu/Shenzhen station. The cash machine at the Lowu/Shenzhen station is located right after the Chinese Immigration counters, near the travel agencies . It only provides Chinese currency, although apparently it is often out of cash on weekends. Keep in mind that if it isn't your own bank, your account will be charged an administrative fee for withdrawing the cash.

Because of SARS, most of you have not seen any of the spring and summer fashion at Lowu. The Fabric Market has a gorgeous array of linens, silks, cottons and T-shirt materials. Shoe stores are showing a larger selection of shoes and sandals catering to Western tastes. Less of those ghastly long pointed shoes. More flats and casual sandals.

• Tailor recommendation
  A number of people have suggested I add another tailor to my recommended list: Kenneth. He’s located on the 5th floor, behind the Fabric Market in stall #17. I am told he cuts very well and, in a pinch, will turn around an item in 4 hours!

• Find your personal style
  How many of you have had clothes made up that just aren’t right for you? I have, many times. It all changed for me when I invested in 2 consultations: One, I had my colors ‘done’ by “Color Me Beautiful” which in effect tells you which colours and shades make you look great every day. Then I had a ‘style’ consultation that identified my own personal fashion style based on a number of lifestyle and fashion preference traits. I walked out of the consultation with a clear idea of what cuts of skirts, shirts, tops, dresses and suits I should be wearing, not to mention hairstyle, colors and jewelry recommendations. Now, I wear everything I have made, except when I don’t follow the recommendations for my style. No more throwing away money getting the wrong clothes made at Lowu!
  
  Now the problem is finding some good pictures of styles to show the tailors. My color and style consultant, Eve Roth-Lindsay, has just the thing. Her impressive website, www.Savvy-Style.com has a section titled ‘Resources”. Click on it and you’ll find a long list of fashion catalogues from all over the world to browse through. When you see a style you like, select the picture, then copy and paste it to a Word Document. When you’ve done this with all the styles you’ve selected through the various catalogues, print them up and bring them to Lowu. Don’t delete that file. You may want to go back to them again.

• Have cushions made for your outdoor furniture
  Many of the curtain shops in Lowu have fabrics backed with waterproof material. If the fabrics in the shops do not look right for your outdoor furniture, ask to see their swatch books. Swatch books display fabrics that are not in the shop and must be ordered. If you choose one of their in-stock fabrics, they might be able to sew it up for you in a day but if chosen from the swatch book, you’ll need to return another day. If you bring your outdoor cushions inside after use, then there is no need for waterproof material and the variety on offer is much wider.

• Smart curtain fabrics
  The fabrics at the curtain shops are increasingly attractive to the Western eye. Every month, they receive fabrics that are more and more suited to Western tastes.

The Shenzhen Arrail Dental Ltd. clinic is one that is frequented by various Western residents of the city. Some of the doctors are trained in England and therefore speak English.

My good friend from Shenzhen, Young He Allison told me that their teeth whitening program is excellent. For HK$1600, you receive a package of 4 home treatments. Each treatment lasts 10 days and should be repeated every 6 months. She’s thrilled with it. Her teeth look white and shiny so far and it’s only been 8 days!

The clinic is located on the 2nd floor in the Shenzhen Development Centre Building, South Renmin Road. Tel: (86 755) 222 4869. Ask to speak to Alice. If you take the #1 bus to Dongmen, it will be right at your first stop from the Lowu Commercial City mall.

Now this is a bonanza! The Dongmen fabric market is located above the Dongmen wet market. Look in my book in the chapter, THE DONGMEN MARKET on page 84 for more details. It’s huge and is best described as a wholesale market where stallholders are happy to sell to individuals. Look in my book for directions or ask one of the ladies at the Bus Station information desk to write down the following for you in Chinese characters: “Dongmen Wet Market” and take a cab or bus #1.

• Have your sheets made up here.
  Stall #77 in the Dongmen fabric market sells 5 feet wide cotton fabric for sheeting. The stallholder will even make up the sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases for you. Need I say it? (I will.) The price is right. One set including 4 pillowcases, fitted sheet and duvet with fill costs $between Y300 to Y500 depending on the fabric . Lots of choice of colors and styles.

I love this department store! Check it out on page 92 of my book. There are two departments in this store that I recommend highly. One is the chinaware department and the other is right next to it, the bedding department.

• The china is first class!
  This store has full sets of china for both Western and Chinese styles. The quality and design are up there with the best and the prices are very reasonable.

• Elegant bedding
  The bedding in Sundan is in another class than the bedding I mentioned under Dongmen Fabric Market. The quality of the cotton and the sophistication of the fabric design make all the difference. For equivalent quality in Hong Kong, I’d say it costs about half the price.

• Other Sundan tidbits
  Lots of elegant crystal vases and figurines. Beautiful dried flowers. Camping equipment. Folding outdoor chairs, etc...

These are all the tips for June and July. For any other information on Shenzhen, just looks it up in “Shop in Shenzhen - an insider’s guide”. If you don't have the book, click on "Table of Contents" then scroll to the end to find the list of stores where you can buy the book.

Bookmark this page for new tips every other month!

Lowu Commercial City is the huge shopping mall in Shenzhen, as you exit the Chinese Customs office. On your first visit to Lowu, you'll spend the fist few hours getting a lay of the land. There's a lot to take in. You're not sure whether to buy or to wait and see. Don't take too long doing this, especially if you can only visit Shenzhen for one or two days. When you plan your day, plan on a time when you stop looking and start to make buying decisions. Otherwise, before you know it, it'll be time to go back before you've done most of what you want to do. Now that would be depressing!.

Now that the Chinese New Year holidays are over, the fabric market is selling fabrics for spring and summer. Start to plan your new wardrobe now before the heat is upon us. For visitors who have never been to LCC, the Fabric Market is on the 5th floor, on your right as you exit the bubble lift. You'll find about 60 fabric stalls and lots of tailors looking for business.

Many shops and stalls in the bazaar sell freshwater pearls. Shop 18, in the Jewelry Bazaar, close to the Mang Bing Massage Centre has a wide selection at every price range. They're a reliable shop but there are others as well. Try the wholesaler on the 2/F, shop 2006 (Secton F for those who have my book). Make sure to shop around and haggle for a good price. One of my readers bought a 15 inch, 9mm pearl necklace HK$290, about a third down from the asking price. Earrings were an extra HK$20. Thanks to Ros Pleatman for that tip.

If you are serious about buying, there are a few things to look out for when choosing pearls:

• Ask the shopkeeper for a knife and scrape the pearl to make sure it is genuine and not simply painted over.

• When choosing a necklace or a bracelet, make sure the pearls are evenly round and all the same size and shape.

• Choose a clasp that you can show off. The clasp is important, as you sometimes will want to wear it in front. The 'faux pave' clasp with inlaid crystals is an attractive one. If they don't have one you like, go to someone else.

• When choosing a size, get the sales person to hold one of the strands up around your neck and choose the length that best suits you. If you choose a 17 inch one and want it a bit shorter, make sure to keep the left over pearls. While you're at it, get pearl earrings made up with the extras. They'll do it for a song. Choose the stud and butterfly closing made of silver.

• Ask them to double-knot it. They won't charge you for it.

The Fabric markets at Lowu Commercial City and of Dongmen are now featuring some exciting new products for tailoring of winter fashions. Look for:

• Leather and fake leather
• Real fur in a variety of colours
• Faux shearling backed fabric in a variety of colours
• Thick wool and cashmere for winter coats and jackets.

Most of my recommended tailors do both men's and women's suits. Men's suits are much more labor intensive than women's suits and therefore cost more to make up. The cost (fabric and labor) runs between $600 for a regular wool suit up to $1000 for a cashmere suit - In US dollars, that is about $77 to $128.