Wed, 15 Jun 2005

Advertorial --- Hong Kong Shopping Festival (Part 1)

Suggested titles:

-Shopper' Paradise at 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival -Enjoy sophistication, diversity and value at Hong Kong Shopping Festival! -Discover a great way to pick up fantastic buys at 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival!

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Pack your bags and get ready to scour the streets of Hong Kong as the 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival is drawing near. This year's Hong Kong Shopping Festival will be held from June 25 to August 31.

The 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival takes the fun and excitement of shopping in Asia's world city to new heights with fantastic sales. This year, the festival promises to be even better than ever with the latest trends, amazing offers, hard-to- resist bargains, late-night shopping, superb dining, exhilarating entertainment and more!

Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), this mesmerizing event offers an awesome experience featuring special themed activities and a host of special promotions by retail associations, shopping malls and themed food districts. The 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival captures the diversity and sophistication of Hong Kong, and leverages on the annual summer sales to offer visitors the once-in-a-year opportunity to enjoy great discounts.

The 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival highlights four major shopping themes: 'World-class Fashion and Beauty Brands, 'Top-of- the-line Watch and Jewelry Products', 'Cutting-edge Electronics' and 'Unique Chinese Traditions'. The Hong Kong Shopping Festival is a great way indeed to pick up some fantastic buys.

From high-end international fashion to funky independent labels, Hong Kong offers a wide array of fashion and beauty products as there is always something to suit every shopper's style and budget.

Hong Kong is also a great place to buy watches and jewelry as watchmakers and jewelers take great pride in the designs that they create to offer the best cut and quality teamed with fine craftsmanship. For the discerning shoppers, who are always on the look out for the latest electronic gadgets, Hong Kong offers a wide range of digital products to suit all; from amateurs to advanced electronic users.

Shoppers will also be able to enrich their experience in Chinese tradition and culture with a variety of Chinese goods, such as arts and crafts, antiques, teas, dried seafood, tonic foods and more.

Late shopping and dining experience in HK

Hong Kong's shops and restaurants are rolling out the red carpet during the 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival. Many shops and restaurants will stay open until 10 pm or later to offer a stunning array of shopping and dining delights. Visitors can relax, dine and unwind in Hong Kong's varied food and beverage outlets. Meanwhile, night markets such as Ladies' Market, Temple Street and Stanley Market are great places to find value-for- money items.

For the nocturnal visitors who yearn for a cuppa, a drink, or a hot meal after a long day of shopping, they will be pleased to know that there will be international food promotions in popular food districts, such as Lan Kwai Fong, Knutsford Terrace, Knutsford Steps, Canton Road, Ashley Road and Hillwood Road. The exciting events that are lined up in these areas are the Lan Kwai Fong Summer Beer Festival, Knutsford Day, the 2005 Canton Road Food Festival, Wine & Dine@Ashley, and Carnival of the Multinational Journey of the Motorcycle.

Winners of the lucky draw to receive prizes

The 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival will offer a lucky draw. Winners of the lucky draw will receive incredible prizes for winners. Simply shop or dine at a Hong Kong Shopping Festival participating merchant or restaurant and you might go home a winner.

Shopping and dining have always been exciting in Hong Kong and now the Lucky Draw provides another amazing incentive for you to spend to your heart's content! A total of 70 fabulous prizes worth up to HK$2.2million are up for grabs while the Grand Prize is a Rolex Ladies Diamond Watch worth HK$500,000 sponsored by Oriental Watch.

To enhance the shopping experience, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is also working with retail merchants and restaurants under the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme to offer exclusive visitor privileges. These privileges have been specially created for visitors, so make sure you pick up your Hong Kong Shopping Festival Passport to Special Offers at Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information & Services Center.

HKTB to host a plethora of exciting events

To add to the excitement of the Festival, HKTB will also host a wide range of events, such as Hong Kong Shopper of the Year Contest, Children's Choir Festival, Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2006, a dance performance titled "The Emperor and the Nightingale" by HK Ballet, Ocean Park Polynesian Summer Splash, the 2005 Hong Kong International Band Festival, Manchester United Cup and Lan Kwai Fong Summer Beer Festival.

The festival will absolutely provide a wonderful spectrum of activities to keep you engrossed, entertained and enthralled in Hong Kong.

To find out more about the 2005 Hong Kong Shopping Festival, log on to www.DiscoverHongKong.com

Other events at the festival (IN BOX):

The Year of France in China Until July 2005

This is a wonderful celebration of the ties between China and France and a great opportunity to enjoy the best in performing arts, films, literature, the visual arts scene and technology from France on display in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Dizi and Xiao Festival Until Aug. 6, 2005

Two traditional Chinese flutes, the dizi (transverse flutes) and the xiao (long flute) are featured in a program of concerts, exhibitions, talks and demonstrations.

Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races It will run from June 18 to June 19 Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) as teams from around the world paddle for glory in their dazzling 50-foot-plus crafts.

Hong Kong Book Fair 2005 July 20 to July 25

The event provides publications, educational software, audio- visual learning aids, multimedia electronic publishing equipment and more at this huge exhibition.

International Arts Carnival 2005 July 8 - Aug. 21

This arts fest is designed for the whole family with music, dance, drama, puppetry, mime, magic, acrobatics, film and theatrical arts. It is sure to be grand fun.

Ocean Park Summer 2005 July 16 - Aug. 31

Beat the heat this summer and head for Ocean park, Hong Kong's giant aquarium and theme park for some great water fun.

Food Expo 2005 Aug. 16 - Aug. 15

With a wide variety of foods to whet every palate, the fare is a melting pot for culinary creations from the east and west. It is a real taste of the world all under one roof!