Wednesday, August 26, 2009

To Hong Kong...in search for Toys!

Updated Post on 10 December 2009


Singapore Changi Airport


Cathay airplane preparing for boarding to Hong Kong.
The weather was good after a little showers in the morning.
Glad the sun was out and I was so looking forward to visiting Hong Kong.
One of the reasons I chose to visit Hong Kong was to see their toys stores and hopefully get some toys I've been eyeing on.
I've heard from my friends that Hong Kong is a great place to buy toys and with wide selections and prices.


Hong Kong Airport - Arrival


On my 1st day of arrival, it was very misty but the weather is very cooling and pleasant.






Location : Sai Yeung Choi Street (西洋菜街)MTR Station : MongKong (about 2 mins walk)

Finally, I've reached this place - Sai Yeung Choi Street.
I've been reading so much on the internet about this place, shops full of toys...etc, I was so excited to be there.
As my hotel was near this place, I stroll there.
The first building I visited was CTMA centre (兆萬廣場).
The CTMA centre has many toys stores selling a hugh variety of toys for collections.
It's something similar like the China Sqaure we have in Singapore.







I've only brought a Star Wars Darth Vader Jumbo Chubby in CTMA Centre.
Had imagine I would find lots of Star Wars but I didn't.
But I did have a good time looking at all the other toys.


Godfather guarding!



This pair has left me standing by the window drooling...
Lifesize figure of R2D2 and C3PO! Wow...
Didn't ask for the price because I know it' not going to be in my budget.
Imagine the shipping cost too!


Wow...what a display!
Don't you think this is awesome?


I also visited the Animate and Sino Centre (信和中心).
For Animate (2nd storey), the entrance seemed a little difficult to find.
See the purpish signage on the bottom right hand side?
That's the entrance! Althought it looks something like entering someone's housing apartment!
Sino centre also has many toy shops but mostly on Japanese anime/collectibles.
No star wars was spotted when I was there.
So I would still prefer CTMA.




A book vending machine inside one of the MTR station.
Can't remember which MTR station I saw this.
It's the first time I see something like this.
This author is also very famous and I do like some of her books.


Location : Bute Street 弼街MTR Station : Mong Kok

Another place near the famous - Goldfish market, is the Bute Street.
At Bute Street, just outside the MTR exit, there's also a toy shop.
Note the green signboard?
That shop also has many different types of toys.
I've brought some tin toys robots from the shop.
Boss is quite polite, but didn't have a namecard so I don't know the name or address of this shop.


Location : Tai Yuen Street (灣仔太源街)MTR Station : Wan Chai

Tai Yuen Street is also known as Toys Street in Hong Kong.
If you look down the streets at first, you probably only see shops selling clothings, towels, fruits...etc.
But inside, it's a must to visit for toy lovers, walk further in and you'll find many toy stores.
Their prices are also very competitive and very much cheaper as compare to department stores.


Most toys stores hangs swimming bubble floats outside their stores.
If you just stand outside, you'll would have missed the goodies that inside...
Because outside mostly are those balloons, party poppers, ribbons for party...etc.
Walk deeper into the stores, you find all sorts of COOL toy collectibles.
Star Wars, Bleach, One Piece, Thomas and Friends, Ultraman, Hot Wheels, Gundam ...etc.
No wonder it's called the "Toy Streets!"
I brought some die-cast cars and Tin Toy robots.


The shopkeepers here are also very polite and friendly.
Highly recommend "Tai Yuen Street" to buy toys.
Most toys stores at night are jammed pack with people, inside and outside of the shops.
So it might take a little longer time to find something you're looking for.


These are the tin toys robots I've brought from Hong Kong.
I've not post these indiduval robots on my main blog - http://www.astrogalaxy.blogspot.com/ yet.
I'll create a link here later when it's done.

Post Additions on 10 December 2009 :
I've completed updating my Tin Toys posts, for viewing please click here!

11 comments:

astrogalaxy said...

Hi Wireless Insider,
Thank you for visiting and I'm sure glad to exchange links with you too!
The link is already done and I'll be over your blog reading for more!
All the best!

Wireless Insider said...

Hi Astro Galaxy

I have too added your both blogs

http://astrogalaxy.blogspot.com/
http://astrogalaxytravel.blogspot.com/

into my blog http://spacestation-shuttle.blogspot.com/.

Please check it and if any changes to be done, Please inform.

Hope our blogs would benefits all the peoples.

Thanks for the interest you shown on my blog.

astrogalaxy said...

Hi Megaan,
Thanks! I'm sure glad to add your link! Have a nice day!

astrogalaxy said...

Thank you Wireless Insider!

Megaan said...

I added your link on my blog...check it

astrogalaxy said...

Check it already! Thanks Megaan!

astrogalaxy said...

Hi Jishnu,
Glad to exchange links with you! You have a COOL space blog!

Cioara Andrei said...

Foarte interesant subiectul postat de tine. M-am uitat pe blogul tau si imi place ce am vazut.Cu siguranta am sa il mai vizitez.
O zi buna!

astrogalaxy said...

Hi Cioara,
Thanks for visiting! Have a good day!

LEon said...

Hongkong is really a better toy shopping place. Wish I will be there soon too.

astrogalaxy said...

Yes LEon, I am amazing by the amount of variety of toys they have there!
Thanks for visiting!