Sham Shui Po is one of our fave neighbourhoods for shopping and eating, and the iconic Dragon Centre sits at the heart with its old skool-style shopping experiences.
Are you looking for something to do on the weekend? You can try the best brunches, go camping in Hong Kong, or check out a gig at these live music venues. But if you’re feeling a little nostalgic, and wish that for just one day you could travel back in time, well, we have a solution for you! Head to the Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po, the shopping mall that is frozen in time and forever stuck in the 1990s. We promise you will not be disappointed.
Our picks of what to do at the Dragon Centre
Start your adventure by grabbing a beer from the Club 7, take the escalator to the 3rd and 4th floor to stock up on inexpensive socks imported from Korea, and make your way up to the 5th floor, where the fun begins. Along the way, be sure to try out one of the Boft machines, where you can print images from your phone or Instagram for only $20.
Apple Mall
This mall-within-a-mall is a maze that is split into two levels on the 5th and 7th floors. There are hundreds of stalls to explore where you can find tokens from your childhood, such as Moomin, Hello Kitty, and My Neighbour Totoro products. You can also find cool canvas bags, contact lenses in crazy colours, and one-woman manicure parlours.
Our favourites are the stationary shop on the 7th floor, shops 7170 & 7171 and 770b, where you can find locally made stylish leather sketchbooks and a huge selection of decorative tape rolls.
The Arcade
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Do you remember the arcade at the mall you used to go to after school? The Arcade at the Dragon Centre is on the 6th floor, and it’s just like what you rremeber. Get some tokens and toss a few hoops at the indoor basketball machine or try your hand at winning a gadget at one of the claw machines. You can also start an air hockey tournament or crash into your friends in a game of bumper cars.
Leung So Kee Umbrella Factory 梁蘇記遮廠
If you are tired of your cheap umbrella failing you on windy days, head to Leung So Kee Umbrella factory on the 6th floor of the Dragon Centre. The shop has over 130 years of experience in crafting beautiful, sturdy umbrellas. Leung So Kee carries umbrellas in various sizes and shapes, and even offers custom services. Yes, they cost a little more, but the good news is, you’ll get a lifetime guarantee on your new umbrella.
Sky Rink
In addition to the defunct rollercoaster that is still attached to the ceiling, there is an ice rink on the 8th floor of the building. For $65 dollars, you can glide on the ice for the whole day, since there isn’t a time limit. Got no skates? No problem. The entry fee includes skate rentals.
Find out more about all the ice skating rinks in Hong Kong here.
Food Court
After all this exploring, you must be famished! Head to the food court across from Sky Rink, where you can fill up on Japanese, Thai, or Indian curry, sample some simple Taiwanese dishes or local style bbq, or sip on some bubble tea. There are plenty of seats, where you can rest your tired feet after a day of fun.
Dragon Centre, 37k Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po. Hong Kong, p. 2360 0982, 九龍深水埗欽州街37K
