Thousands of English-speaking Hong Kong residents understand that nearby Shenzhen offers shopping bargains, but they lack a firm grip on how to seize the savings. With Shop in Shenzhen, An Insider's Guide , Ellen McNally has written a tiny book with a big potential value.
Roundtree Publications first offered this 117-page volume, small enough to ease into hip pockets, in 2002, followed by annual updates. Although tiny, the edition reviewed (2005) is slick and well organized with helpful maps, diagrams and nuggets of information. Annie Hutchison, who handled the design and production, did herself proud.
McNally begins by posing an obvious question: why shop in Shenzhen. Her answer: “incredible value for money”.
Hong Kong 's government prefers that its people spend to stimulate economic activity at home. But with the government scarred by arrogance and lack of democracy, such advice deserves contempt. For that reason too, McNally's book has merit.
The author advises what goods or services to buy and exactly where to find them. For day-trippers keen to stay longer, she ends by discussing hotels and tourist attractions.
Hong Kong-based bargain-hunters have much to gain by begging, borrowing, or even buying, a copy. For more information: shopinshenzhen.com.
Approval rating: 81 per cent on content, 90 per cent on design.
(August 27, 2006)
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