Well, after a many e-mails and much conflicting advice about the availability of a Visa at the border to visit the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on a day trip, the following is what I consider to be the definitive, accurate advice. It comes from someone I met on a CO flight from GUM to HKG who is based in HKG and who is a high official of the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation.
=====Dear Ed
You will never get the same answer twice but I have taken USA passport holders a few times. Yes, you can get one at the Lowu border for HK$100 (but not all countries are eligible for this instant visa). Clear HK Immigration and cross the bridge to the China side. Stay to the left and take the escalator up to 2/F (everyone else will be going straight). Go into the office and fill out the forms on the right side and give the officer your HK$100. It will take a few minutes depending on the number of people. Then, go out to Chinese Immig and fill out the Arrival card while you wait in line.

Your daughter IS SURE to go wild in the Commercial Shopping Center just across the bridge outside of customs. There are good tailors inside the building with all the name brands cheap. Tell her Prada purses are about US$12 to give her an idea and Nike sneakers about the same========================================

What type of Prada bag costs you US$12?

Can you say "knock offs?" Excellent quality!

My daughter's response was "This is very important: are the Prada bags real". My response was: who cares. Isn't the only thing that matters is whether other women who see your new Prada bag think that it IS a real Prada? It comes down to evaluating the quality on the spot. These could be knock offs, seconds, of could have fallen off a truck. Caveat emptor in its purest form.

Ed- I was at a shop once a few years ago where the guy just simply asked me to select what label I'd like in the suit!

As you probably know, in Hong Kong, many of these industrious folks in Kowloon will actually deliver your order promptly, "gratis", to your HK Island hotel room!

But then you'd miss nice a nice ferry trip!

Ohmuhgod, you said the magic word!!! P-UUUUUUUNKIIIIIIII ...



[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 02-28-2001).]

We ought to have a topic on Knock-off's. I've gotten some great stuff in Asia over the years for pennies. I read an article in the LA Times recently where a group of fashion experts were asked to look at a bunch of designer items and identify which were knock-offs and which were real. They couldn't really tell on most of the items. For me, I constantly get complimented on my fake Rolex.

For those who will castigate me for importing knock-off's, I'll just say they are only for me and my immediate family. I don't run a smuggling ring and I don't really care that I'm denying some extremely wealthy designer houses my disposible cash.

Stimpy:
I agree that you can get soem very good as well as bad merchandise in Asia. One just needs to be patient. I bought some fabulous Versace Polo Shirts in BKK that feel and look gorgeous. At a price of $2.60US each.

Did it in December, Visas are definately available at the border. The most incredible purchase are Knock-off DVD's of the latest US films (not VCD's as one normally expects). Charlie's Angels was available in early December on DVD in perfect quality.