Welcome to the Cathay Pacific's Cathay Members’ Choice Awards. Our annual awards celebrate the very best in travel, dining and lifestyle – as voted for by you, our global community of members.
What’s travelling without a little shopping spree? From upscale neighbourhoods to charming antique shops, our expert panel has shortlisted five of the coolest shopping destinations in Asia. Now it’s time for you to tell us which of these districts is your favourite for a little retail therapy.
Voting is open to Cathay Pacific's Cathay members from Monday, 26 May to Sunday, 15 June. You can learn more about the nominees below.
Tokyo’s trendy Aoyama district is home to luxury boutiques, hip cafés, gourmet dining and traditional crafts; major Japanese brands such as Commes des Garcons, Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto have their flagships here. Once you’ve splurged on the main street, visit the smaller stores that line the district’s backstreets to pick up local ceramics, textiles and woodworks.
Credit: Maremagnum/Getty Images
Spanning 550,000sqm, this massive mall complex in Bangkok's upscale Ratchaprasong district is a one-stop port for just about everything you can think of, housing big-name brands and local boutiques alike. It’s also an air-conditioned escape from the heat (or rain), with restaurants, spas, children’s play areas and a cinema to keep you busy all day.
Credit: Bhubeth Bhajanavorakul/Getty Images
A delightful departure from Hong Kong’s luxury shopping malls, Central’s Hollywood Road is a charming mishmash of Chinese antiques, contemporary art galleries and stylish boutiques. Discover quirky design stores and cool cafés sitting shoulder to shoulder with historical temples and small local businesses. Don’t forget to pick up a quintessentially Hong Kong souvenir while you’re there.
Credit: Eliud Kwan
Known as a countercultural creative hub, the oh-so hip district of Hongdae offers shoppers a mix of fashion, urban art and live street performances, with trendy Korean brands, art markets and exhibitions attracting both locals and visitors alike. Whimsical cafes and leafy parks offer a chance to rest your feet after a morning’s retail expedition.
Credit: estherpoon/Getty Images
A pioneering lifestyle complex that seamlessly merges traditional Sichuan architecture with modern boutiques, Taikoo Li is an open-plan shopping village in Chengdu combining fashion boutiques with dining, art and cultural exhibitions, and abundant open space. Set aside time to visit the 1,600-year-old Daci Temple, around which the complex was built.