Leaving Hong Kong: Farewell Gift Guide
Whether you're the one leaving Hong Kong, or the one being left behind, these amazing Hong Kong inspired gifts will make the goodbyes a little easier.
If you’re looking for a farewell gift for a friend who’s leaving Hong Kong then look no further, we’ve got all tastes and budgets covered. We’ve picked the best Hong Kong inspired art, photography, homeware, jewellery and accessories, kids’ gifts, food & drink and a few special experiences. Even if, like us, you’re very firmly staying put in HK you’ll want to get your hands on some of this lovely stuff.
Hong Kong Inspired Art
Designer Louise Hill’s Hong Kong inspired pieces are detailed, multi-layered collages created using photographs, her own illustrations and patterns, vintage images and fabric. They capture the essence of the city and bring it right into your home. Prices start at $3,050 (including delivery) for a 51cm x 68cm framed canvas.
Belinda Bath’s distinctive and stylish photo montage designs capture those all important memories of Hong Kong life. Belinda uses her own original pictures to create her designs, some of which can be personalised. Prices start at $4,500 for a 30″ x 36″ stretched canvas.
Text art fans will love these stylish canvases by Biscuit Moon Designs. The Hong Kong Places and Skyline Scroll can be customised with any background colour and prices start at $750 for a 30cm x 50cm canvas. The Special Places canvas is completely bespoke, customise it with where you or your friends have lived, worked and played in Hong Kong for a really unique gift. Prices start at $800 for a 30 x 30cm canvas.
Staying on the Hong Kong text art theme, how about this typographical map of Hong Kong by Sugar Snap Prints. The background colour can be customized and costs $700 for a 70cm x 50cm stretched canvas.
Ginny Malbon’s unique collages and prints perfectly marry together details and street scenes of Hong Kong in a dynamic and colourful way. Collages can be personalised to create a memory of Hong Kong that’s uniquely yours. Prices start from $300 for a 8″x8″ matted print.
Talented artist Florence Traisaac at Arteflo Design paints distinctive and vibrant pieces inspired by Hong Kong street life, especially the bustling markets. Her paintings are packed with fun details and prices start at $2,700 depending on the format. Florence also offers canvas prints of her work and you can find cards featuring her designs in Bookazine. Email [email protected] for more information.
For a unique and beautiful take on that iconic skyline, check out Francesco Lietti’s striking paintings of Hong Kong. Richly coloured and full of detail, these would look great on pretty much any wall. Prices are available on application and although they might stretch the budget, perhaps you could treat yourself to one last splurge? See more of Francesco’s work here online or at Yan Gallery on Hollywood Road.
Ciaolink’s ‘Farewell My HK’ artwork is especially created to capture the ambience of Hong Kong for expats leaving the city. Each print of a cityscape drawing has details picked out in eye catching colour. But the really unique feature of these pieces is the 3D effect created with the use of ‘pachika’, a special paper that becomes transparent when heated. Prices start at $680 for a 38cm x 30cm framed picture.
Hong Kong Inspired Photography
Take a favourite phrase or a loved one’s name and capture it in prosperity with a China abcs (a = alphabet, b = beauty, c = creative) photography piece. Using imagery from the city, your choice is framed with an artistic touch to reflect on for years to come, and can be made with a space for friends to sign for a special goodbye.
Photographer Nick Gleitzman has captured stunning panoramic images of Hong Kong, in all weathers and at all times of the day or night. And it’s not just Victoria Harbour, if you live out in the islands or New Territories you will also find an image of your Hong Kong home on his website. Prices start at $1,200 for a 61cm by 50cm print, and sizes go all the way up to 5 metres wide.
Getting away from the grand panoramas and focusing on the small details of Hong Kong life, Nick also has a stunning range of other Hong Kong photography on sale. Prices for these prints start at $475.
If photography is your thing then 13th Element has a selection of images that capture our vibrant city, presented in a unusual format. The images are bonded to aluminum and then covered with perspex, which gives the finished product a unique visual appeal. The aluminium mounted prints are $3,999 for a 70cm x 30cm print, canvas and paper options are also available starting at $750.
Or how about a family photo shoot with the streets of Hong Kong as the backdrop?
Hong Kong Inspired Homeware
You could take a wander around Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Road (Cat Street) to hunt for a unique home decor gift among the antique shops, curio stores and art galleries. But if you don’t fancy pounding the pavements don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this selection of Hong Kong inspired home ware.
We know you hardly need us to tell you that Shanghai Tang sell beautiful gifts with an oriental feel, but we just have to mention them because they have so many stylish options (and they have even helpfully rounded up some farewell gift inspiration for you right here). Some of our favourites are the fine bone china cups and teapots (starting at $580 for one of their 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac mugs), the beautiful photo frames featuring unique and meaningful Chinese designs (starting at $880) and the pretty enamel boxes ($1,080 for this Peony Square box).
Another place to head for Hong Kong related gifts is Goods of Desire. GOD are much easier on the wallet than Shanghai Tang, and we love their quirky Hong Kong inspired designs. Check out these bright cushion covers featuring their signature designs capturing Hong Kong in all its chaotic and colourful glory ($250 each). Or how about some frames to display all those special Hong Kong photos? (Frames start at $325).
If you want a more ’boutique’ option for gift shopping you could start with Hong Kong based designer Fiona Paton‘s Hong Kong Style range. Each of these hand cut Chinese paper-adorned luminaries features an intricate design and reflects beautifully when lit (from $160). Fiona also creates trays in bold colours with mounted Hong Kong map prints, along with a gorgeous phoenix and peony version. Prices start from $600.
Thinq Hong Kong’s stainless steel ornaments in classic Hong Kong images come in a pack of three for $150. They will bring a touch of Hong Kong to future Christmas trees and can also be used as bookmarks. Or how about these ‘Heart of Hong Kong’ charms from Lion Rock Press? They make special keepsakes or cute leaving gifts for the kids’ school friends.
A fragrant candle from local shop The Candle Company will fill your friend’s new home with the warm scent of the well known local flower, the White Michelia. Each 100% beeswax candle jar ($220) comes wrapped in paper printed with a Hong Kong street design with matching gift box.
This makes a nice parting gift, especially for the Lantau crowd. Soft, fluffy towels embroidered with transport symbols famous to the island – the blue taxi, ferry, cable car and NLB bus – from Lantau Ren. They come neatly packaged and are priced starting at $150 for a set of four.
For that special friend, go all out and gift them this lavish golden-coloured junk from Swarovski, delicately crafted with 272 sparkling facets ($2,700). A gorgeous souvenir to take pride of place on any mantel.
Remember all those cab rides with friends after a wild night in Wan Chai? They’ll come back to life as they flip through the pages of the photography book TAXI ART ($300), featuring Hong Kong taxi dashboard art.
Hong Kong Inspired Jewellery & Accessories
Award-winning local designer Chailie Ho weaves artwork into beautiful silk scarves with imagery from around the world, including notable Hong Kong views like the Bank of China building ($165), in bold colours.
Keep Hong Kong close to their heart with these cool necklaces depicting the skyline or a 1970’s map of HK from Simon Robin. Prices start at $600 for a choice of silver or gold finish for an original and elegant gift.
If your friend is a charm bracelet wearing kind of girl then these sterling silver, hand enameled Hong Kong charms from Cool Charm & Collected could be her thing. Choose from Hong Kong ferry, taxi, tram and dim sum designs, that will fit Pandora, Trollbeads, Lovelinks and other brands of charm bracelet. Prices start at $27.00 USD (about $200 HKD).
Add to a Thomas Sabo bracelet or create a true Hong Kong original with trinkets like a small silver junk, HK flag, Chinese lantern or colourful fortune cat, prices start at $210.
Local designers Louella Odié create gorgeous, high quality bags and purses featuring Hong Kong scenes – the tote is priced at $600 and the wristlet is $600. Literally carry a little piece of Hong Kong with you wherever you go!
PHYE scarves transform original photographs of Hong Kong’s cityscape into textile patterns that become limited edition scarves. Priced at $195USD, these scarves are luxurious, contemporary, stylish and make great gifts.
Patinova take cultural and historical objects of interest and either re-purpose or re-create them in a new way so that their story continues as jewellery. We particularly love these Hong Kong coin cufflinks (prices start at $770). And we bet you never thought you’d find the perfect gift for the dragon boater in your life? Well now you have! The Dragon Boat Paddle collection starts at $925.
When it comes to Hong Kong inspired jewellery, Goods of Desire have a great selection and we love these quirky HK Charm bracelets. There are three designs featuring different Hong Kong icons, normally priced at $850 they are currently on sale at $425. Or you may prefer their stylish ‘Silversmith Collection‘, which includes a whole range of Hong Kong inspired pieces for both men and women. Prices start at $350.
Of course if the budget will stretch, then you can’t beat Shanghai Tang for high quality, contemporary jewellery and accessories featuring Chinese motifs. The bangles and cufflinks featured here start at $1280.
Even if they’re not into rugby, they’ll fondly remember their neighbourhood whenever they don one of these HK district tees ($290) from GOD. Grab a matching drawstring bag ($180) and add some mementos inside as a goodbye carry on for when they head to the airport.
A cool gift idea for teen boys or girls, these bracelets from niin ($390) feature silver and gold-plated charms from a happy Buddha to a Hong Kong map. The red strings, said to bring good fortune and positivity to their wearers, can be worn several at a time for a hip look.
Although they’re starting again in a new city, they’ll always be a Hong Konger deep down. This tote ($240), complete with the symbolic yellow umbrella, will remind them.
Hong Kong Gifts for Kids
This memory book from Thinq Hong Kong ($150) will keep memories of Hong Kong friends alive forever and is a great farewell gift for the kids’ BFFs. There are pages for each friend to complete as well as pictures and fascinating facts about Hong Kong. Why not pass it around the friendship group and get it completed before gifting it?
This beautiful framed HK transport-themed artwork from Fiona Paton Design will bring memories of Hong Kong into their new bedrooms. Die cast metal vehicles like Hong Kong taxis, trams and busses are mounted in a shadow box frame and prices start at $690.
These kids colouring cards from Lion Rock Press with tram, taxi, star ferry, dragon dance and dim sum designs would be a great personalised accompaniment to a leaving gift.
Also from Lion Rock Press, this range of Hong Kong inspired puzzles are perfect for little ones from 18 months to 5 years ($120). Or how about these limited edition personalised placemats? With five designs and 15 colours to choose from, they will be a daily reminder of life in Hong Kong ($120).
Commemorate a child’s time in Hong Kong with a snuggly Little Days ‘Hong Kong Home’ blanket from knitted with their name and birth date. Priced at $660, they come in nine different colours and each one is decorated with iconic HK imagery.
The book ‘My Dragon Hunt’ from All About Me can be personalised with a child’s name and a ‘lookalike’ character using stickers (the vendors will stick them on for you, or you can purchase it as an activity pack for the child to complete). The story follows an adventure around Hong Kong searching for a dragon and seeing lots of famous places along the way (starts at $180 for the DIY sticker book version).
Little Local’s kids clothes (baby – 8 years) are stylish and funky and tell a Hong Kong story. How about a Hong Kong t-shirt ($180) to send them on their way? Those heading for cooler climates might welcome a hoodie ($230)!
These adorable teddies (from $510) decked out in Hong Kong police uniforms from present day and yesteryear make a cute present for the wee ones you know moving away. Throw in some fun stickers ($29.15) of all things HK and the 30-page ‘Enjoy Hong Kong’ activity book ($80) to kill some hours on the plane. Kids can decorate and draw while reminiscing about their time in the city as they fly away.
Pictured left: Hong Kong from A to Z; Pictured right: My Hong Kong Alphabet
When they’re in their new home and missing Hong Kong, tuck them in with a bedtime story to bring back all those wonderful memories with this entertaining read, ‘Hong Kong from A to Z’ ($195). Or for younger kids the My Hong Kong Alphabet board book ($160) is full of charming vintage-style illustrations that parents will also enjoy.
Hong Kong food and drink
Ying Kee Tea House, brewing high quality tea since 1881, has charming tea gift sets that are not too heavy and perfectly packaged to plop into the suitcase of a departing friend. Each time they pour a hot cup in their new home, they’ll think of those times shared over tea with you, their thoughtful chum.
The Peninsula Boutique has beautifully packaged Hong Kong-themed edible gifts for those with a sweet tooth, like assorted chocolates from their ‘Heritage Collection’ in handsome boxes illustrated with a Hong Kong scene, or traditional treats like almond cookies and egg rolls from the ‘Old Hong Kong Collection’. Prices are between $160-$720 for Heritage Collection items and $130-$220 for the Old Hong Kong Collection.
When simple tea and biscuits won’t do, go for the hard stuff: baijiu. The clear spirit isn’t for everyone, but there must be something to it as it’s the most consumed alcohol in the world. ‘Hong Kong Baijiu’, sold for $590 at The Bottle Shop in Sai Kung, is a good one to start with. The ‘modern baijiu’ is produced in small batches in Sichuan province and was created to help Westerners develop a love for the potent distilled liquor, with ‘delicate notes of red fruits, green apple, and sweet meadow grasses’. Something for your HK drinking buddy to treasure as they set off.
Send them off with a true Hong Kong original to stock the cupboards of their new house: Yu Kwen Yick chilli sauce. Yu Kwen Yick know a thing or two about chilli (they also do a chilli bean sauce), having been in the business for almost a century. You’ve no doubt seen the slender bottle of spicy red goodness in restaurants around the city, but it can also be purchased at their Sai Ying Pun shop. Your piquant-loving pals will thank you.
Unique Hong Kong Experience Gifts
A Hong Kong Urban photo shoot with Paula Weston Photography creates the ultimate personalised leaving gift and memories that will last a lifetime. Shoot in the markets or on the waterfront, or maybe you can include the Star Ferry or the distinctive Hong Kong trams. There are so many choices but they are all guaranteed to look fabulous because you couldn’t get a more photogenic city than this one! Prices start at $3,200 for a 1 hour session and 45 edited high resolution images.
For the ultimate tick on that Hong Kong bucket list, book the ‘Sky Tour & Teatime’ package with Heliservices. The package includes a 15 minute helicopter sight seeing trip to take in some breathtaking views of the city, and the classic afternoon tea set in The Lobby at the Peninsula. This package is $4,256 for two and $2,167 for one.
Do you know a special couple who deserve one last memorable night in the city? Book them a romantic dinner cruise, including a candlelit dinner served against stunning views along Hong Kong’s southern shoreline, in a luxurious 48ft private yacht for just the two of them.
If this list inspired you, check out our Hong Kong bucket list here and of course one last boozy brunch and afternoon tea is a must!
Did we miss anything? Email [email protected] if you’d like to suggest something else we could include in this post.
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