BA - The Club - Seven of Hong Kong's quirkiest shops

Sun Nga Shing Umbrella Store, Sham Shui Po

The phrase ‘It never rains but it pours’ fits Hong Kong like a glove, which goes some way to explaining the long-standing popularity of this famous umbrella store, which opened in 1842 and has been run by five generations of the same family. Current owner Mr Yau also offers a bespoke repair service, alongside a selection of lovingly handcrafted umbrellas made with his own fair hands.

Photo: Mike Pickles

InBetween, Sheung Wan

Fans of flea markets will love this Tardis-like store, which is jam-packed with vintage treats, from antique Russian watches to rare movie posters. There’s also a huge collection of ancient cameras and products made by local designers. The store’s name is a nod to the location – it’s squeezed between two streets: Kui In Fong and Tai Ping Shan.

Photo: Mike Pickles

Goods of Desire, throughout Hong Kong

Founded in 1996 by architects Douglas Young and Benjamin Lau, Goods of Desire is a firm favourite with Hong Kong hipsters. Young and Lau wanted to create a lifestyle brand that reflected both Hong Kong’s history and its modernism. Step inside any one of their boutiques and you’ll find pencil cases shaped like old-fashioned Chinese ballet flats, bean bags inspired by Chinese chess pawns and moon cakes shaped like bottoms.

Photo: Mike Pickles

Lee Kung Man Knitting Factory, Kowloon

This quirky store’s founder was Mr Fung Chou-yu, who opened his shop in 1923. His speciality was knitted garments, and today current owner Lee Kung Man uses 1950’s-era machines to make underwear, tank tops and T-shirts. He’s acquired a cult following, and the bestselling items are the ones that put the Lee Kung Man Knitting Factory on the map in the first place – anything depicting the shop’s famous cicada or prancing deer logos.

Photo: Mike Pickles

Bo Wah Paper Craft, Sham Shui Po

In China and Hong Kong, paper effigies are burnt at the graves of loved ones and the effigies made by Au Yeung Ping Chi are the best in town. Enter his tiny store and you’ll find paper representations of items his customers believe will ease their loved ones’ journey to the afterlife, whether it’s a tiny pair of paper sunglasses, a Gucci handbag, iPhone or a Ferrari. His most challenging commission? “A dance machine,” he says. “It sold for HK$300 (£29).” Sadly, the art of effigy making is (excuse the pun) a dying one – it’s estimated that there are fewer than 100 effigy craftsmen left in Hong Kong.

Photo: Mike Pickles

Man Luen Choon, Central

An art supply store established in 1955 by the Lee family, Man Luen Choon can be found on the second floor of a nondescript office building in Central. It’s dedicated to the art of Chinese scroll painting and the floor-to-ceiling shelves heave with pretty ceramic ink pots, fat-nibbed calligraphy brushes and handmade paper. You’ll also find a selection of books about both architecture and scroll painting, just in case you fancy giving your thank-you letters a serious upgrade.

Photo: Mike Pickles

Select 18, Tai Ping Shan

Head to this tiny boutique for rare items of Americana you never knew you needed, whether it’s an antique cigarette case, vintage Coca-Cola memorabilia or a spectacularly kitsch snow globe. You’ll find everything from rare toys and jewellery to suitcases, compasses and cameras, although our favourite spot is the section at the back, dedicated to vintage sunglasses.

Photo: Mike Pickles