Hong Kong advice thread

skr80

I would like to know, where to go, where not to go, what to see, what not to see, where to eat, where to avoid, tips on travel around etc....

anything of interest from previous experience or current knowledge please, as now have a keen interest for my money saving trip in March! thanks

malamala

There was a similar post yesterday but I could not see it anywhere ???

Anyway, places to visit:

Take the tram to the peak (Best to go when the weather is nice, go near sunset time so you can see both day time and night scenery)

Take the ferry to cross the harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the scenery is superb, and the fare is very low.

Visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple (take the MTR, the underground system to Wong Tai Sin Station)

Visit Mongkok (so crowded and vibrant), the place where young people go, with lots of shops, Computer Shopping Mall and lots to see. (may not appeal to older tourists though)

The floating restaurant in Aberdeen, Stanley Market and beautiful beach in Repulse Bay.

Ocean Park - with Aquarium, Zoo - Panda!, Rides etc.

Big Buddha in Lamma Island

Night Market near Mongkok (sorry, forgot the name)

Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea (high tea) or the hip restaurant on the top floor, don't forget to check out the toilet there.

Lang Kwai Fong near Central for good night out.

Saikung for seafood (you can pick the fresh seafood outside the restaurant and they will cook for you according to the way you want)

Remember to buy an Octopus Card, a stored value Smart card that you can use on buses, undergrounds, ferries, 7-11 or even some vending machines!

malamala

And Karaoke such as California Red, Neway etc. around Mongkok, Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui

You go to your 'karaoke room', so you won't have to sing in front of strangers. You can order drinks or food as well.

An experience worth a try

skr80

that sounds like a really funny thing to do - private Karaoke!!  ;D ;D

And Karaoke  :D such as California Red, Neway etc. around Mongkok, Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui

You go to your 'karaoke room', so you won't have to sing in front of strangers.  You can order drinks or food as well.

An experience worth a try

hoyin

Take the tram to the peak (Best to go when the weather is nice, go near sunset time so you can see both day time and night scenery)

Take the ferry to cross the harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the scenery is superb, and the fare is very low.

Visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple (take the MTR, the underground system to Wong Tai Sin Station)

Visit Mongkok (so crowded and vibrant), the place where young people go, with lots of shops, Computer Shopping Mall and lots to see.  (may not appeal to older tourists though)

The floating restaurant in Aberdeen, Stanley Market and beautiful beach in Repulse Bay.

Ocean Park - with Aquarium, Zoo - Panda!, Rides etc.

Big Buddha in Lamma Island

Night Market near Mongkok  (sorry, forgot the name)

Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea (high tea) or the hip restaurant on the top floor, don't forget to check out the toilet there.

Lang Kwai Fong near Central for good night out.

Saikung for seafood (you can pick the fresh seafood outside the restaurant and they will cook for you according to the way you want)

Remember to buy an Octopus Card, a stored value Smart card that you can use on buses, undergrounds, ferries, 7-11 or even some vending machines!

Just some additions - stand on the Kowloon side at night and look across towards HK island and take the obligitary photo.

The Mong Kok nightmarket is called Temple market. Also during the day they have a market called in english I think it is called ladies market.

Take a Tram on HK island.

If you are into architecture or want a good view - go to the Bank of China and you can go up to the 42nd floor for free and get a view of HK island and look back at Kowloon and see the difference.

In the HK park behind it they also have an open aviary .. that is free and you can walk through it and the birds fly past you.

Happy Valley racecourse, go to a nightime race.

If you are into gambling you can pop across to Macau by Seacat. However a return journey is not that cheap about £20 I think.

Near Lang Kwai Fong there are also street escalators that take you up to higher levels with areas that sell antiques. Take the escalators .. hey are great.

You will have a great time there! I hope you like Hong Kong!

Ho yin - From Hong Kong

albalad

Thanks for all the above advice which sounds really useful.
Can anyone tell ,me which would be the best area of hong kong to stay in - from a tourist point of view (attractions,restaurants,shopping, good hotels etc)

We have three nights booked at the excelsior, but nowhere yet for the remainder of our trip. I'm kind of in the dark until my guide book arrives so any advice appreciated.
thanks

VeryTrying_2

When you arrive at Hong Kong airport, look around for a HKTA (HK Tourist Authority?) stand with leaflets and maps, or even help-yourself to a plastic bag/folder full of info like what's on, vouchers, etc. Sometimes there's even staff wandering around trying to thrust something useful into your hands - accept, they are nice people, they aren't selling insurance or timeshare!

And has anybody given thought to how to get from the airport to the hotel? I've never arrived in the new airport, but think you can get bus or train, the airport bus usually going right to the hotels. When I have time I'll go to the HKTA site or the MTR one and look it up. If anybody else gets any info, please post.

malamala

Thanks for all the above advice which sounds really useful.
Can anyone tell ,me which would be the best area of hong kong to stay in - from a tourist point of view (attractions,restaurants,shopping, good hotels etc)

We have three nights booked at the excelsior, but nowhere yet for the remainder of our trip. I'm kind of in the dark until my guide book arrives so any advice appreciated.
thanks

If you are staying in Excelsior for a few nights, I will suggest you stay in Kowloon side after Excelsior (Hong Kong Island), you can choose Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan or Mongkok. Anywhere near MTR station will be convenient.

malamala

You can get to most hotels with "City Flyer" Bus. http://www.citybus.com.hk/eng/RouSer/Airport/cityflyer.asp They have staff helping you take the luggage on the bus and shall arrive very near to the hotel. Just email the hotel to ask which bus no. to take.

You can also take the train Airport Express and then get a taxi to your hotel http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/aguide/airportex.html

But it will be easier to take the taxi, about 20 to 30 pounds per cab depending on where your hotel is.

Moomin

There are good bus links from the airport to rest of HK. Fares vary - think that you have to have exact change for Buses too (unless you happen to have an Octopus Travelcard). Buses depart every 15mins.

Example fare is HK$13 (about £1) from HK Airport to Tai Po on the A13 - which goes through Sha Tin.

Or if you're flush, you can take the Train directly from the Airport to HK Island/Kowloon which departs every 10 mins- can't remember how much this is but its' about same price as Airport Express trains in UK - so about £10 for single journey.

Good place to go and see is the Ten-Thousand Buddha Monastery at Sha Tin. Bit of a climb, so not for the faint hearted. But great place with great views. Loads of life-sized buddhas with funny features lining the entrance and exit routes.

blindman

Found this site:

Transport and other info

(11) Airport Transport

a) Buses

Three service providers, "City Bus" , "Long Win" and "DB Transit" cover most areas with routes; "A", "E", "N", "S" and "DB", frequent service operates 24 hours, fares from USD2.30 to USD6.00 one way. Ticket and the route information can be obtained at the Arrival Hall - Booth 2D for the City Bus counter or use the "OCTOPUS Card".

b) Airport Express Line

This is a dedicated airport high speed rail line, operating at 10 minute intervals from 5:50am to 1:15am from Hong Kong Station (Central) via two interchanges; Kowloon Station and Tsing Yi Station; total journey is about 23 minutes. Fares vary from USD7.00 to USD13.

Free shuttle bus conveys passengers from the major hotels to Hong Kong or Kowloon station at 20 minute intervals. A check-in service is available at both stations. (some airlines allow one day before).

c) Taxi

Taxi stands are located at the North side of the Ground Transportation Center.

Red taxis for the urban areas such as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Green taxis for New Territories.
Blue taxis for Lantau Island.

NOTE: Extra USD4.00 will be added for using Lantau Island Link as well as USD3.00 for journeys going through one of the three harbor tunnels.