Hong Kong advice thread

raeble

You will be fine on your own. You don't really need a tour for this city. Hong Kong is very tourism friendly. There is a lot of maps, guides, etc for tourist. Right when you get out of the airport, you will find a tourist counter that can help you. Many of the signs, maps, guides, etc. are in English. Plus, most of the people there speaks some english; Hong Kong use to be a British colony.
The best way to get around in Hong Kong is by subway (MTR). You can buy a 3 day tourist Octopus card and you can ride unlimited on the subway.
It depends what your intrests are. Hong Kong has a lot of great muesems, if you are into that. The Victoria Peaks is a great tourist spot. I personally like it better at night, you get to see the night skyline of the buildings. You can go to Mong Kok and hang out there like the rest of the 4 million Hong Kong people do. It was also suggest you go to Stanely Market. I've been there several times and found it very boring, but the bus ride there was pretty fun. You can take the Star ferry across to Hong Kong island to Kowloon and back. If you are looking for clubs, and nite activity, you will want to go to Wan Chai. It is on the Hong Kong island side. This is where most of the foriegners hang out. For shopping, there is the Lady's maket near Mong Kok; upscale shopping at Times Square and Pacific Place. I personally like to hang out at Mong Kok (electronics district), especially after 6:00 pm when everyone gets off work. You'll be amazed at the number of people there.
Here is a little knowledge from my numerous travels to Hong Kong.
1. Picking your nose is okay in public, sometimes encouraged :>)
2. Long stares, instead of brief glances, at others seems acceptable.
3. Be prepared to be pushed and shoved, especailly on the subway. Don't take it personal, it is a way of life here. I've had a 70 yrs old lady push me before.
4. Tipping is not necessary for most places.
5. Beware of pick pockets. It is not as bad as Shenzhen, China but be on your guard.
6. They say the only religon in Hong Kong is "Money". Don't be suprise if you hear people speak extensively about money. Some may ask you how much you make.
You can also go to Shenzhen, China for the day. You can get a 5 day visa on the spot at the border. Most people go to Shenzhen to go shopping at Lowu. You can find a lot of fake designer stuff there. Here is how it works. Take the MTR to the KCR connection. You will take the KCR train to Lowu station. (~$40 HKD). Do this only if you have an Octopus card. If you want to save yourself $5 HKD, get off at the stop before Lowu. Exit the turnstalls. You will have to wait for the next train before you can get back into the station. When the next train comes, go back into the station and catch that train to Lowu. When you get to Lowu, you will have to exit Hong Kong Immigration. After Hong Kong immigration you will go thru a bridge to China immigration. Before you get to china immigration, looke for a sign that says Foriegn Visa, and it will guide you upstairs. You can apply for a 5 day visa for China there. The cost is $450 HKD. (It used to be only $100 HKD). It will take you about 10 minutes. After you get your visa, go back downstairs and go to the China Foriegners Immigration Line. Make sure you fill out all the paperwork. When you get out of the Immigration building, you will be heckled by a bunch of people, trying to sell you stuff, show you hotels, etc. Now you are in China. Most people go upstairs to the building next to the China immigration for shopping. Bargain hard at these vendors. Have fun in china.
Hope you have fun.

Found this on the trip advisor hk forum

mitre

From what I've read British passport holders cannot get a chinese visa at the border for visits to Shenzhen. They need to get one in Hong Kong - takes 1-3 days depending on how much you're willing to pay.

malamala

Seriously I need to clarify that 'picking the nose' is NOT an accepted behaviour there. Do it if you want to annoy people and I am sure the ladies there will give you that 'disgusting' look.

Tipping is needed in most restaurants - about 5 % of your bill as I was told. (Mind you, they usually have 10% service charge aleady added to your bill, but you are still expected to leave some tips.)

I am not sure about getting Visa at the border of China, as I was advised to get the visa in Hong Kong.

One more thing not to be missed -- Dim Sum :P

mitre

Must do's for me:
Local bus to Stanley market (from bus station in Central) - I found bus ride more exciting than the market but well worthwhile

Fresh seafood (it's alive when you pick it) from street stalls & open air restraunts

Lantau Island

Escalators on HK Island from central to mid levels

Tram up to the peak

Dim Sum - taking pot luck when nothing's in English

Oh, and alcohol is VERY expensive so look out for happy hours

hoyin

From what I've read British passport holders cannot get a chinese visa at the border for visits to Shenzhen.  They need to get one in Hong Kong - takes 1-3 days depending on how much you're willing to pay.

That is right you cannot. However you can go to a china travel agency and get one.

I think it is about £15-£20? I got some of my friends who came to visit me. We could pick them up the next day.

hoyin

Got another peice of advice!

Get a suit made!

They have tailors that will measure you up and do any suit of your choice. You can basically take in a picture of an armarni suit and get them to make it for you.

Costs about £80 for a whole suit. The quality is good and they are quick.

If anyone is interested let me know and I will dig up the address for you.

Ho yin

skr80

If its not too much trouble - that would be great thanks.

Have you thought about advertising yourself as a tour guide for all us folks coming over???

Got another peice of advice!

Get a suit made!

They have tailors that will measure you up and do any suit of  your choice. You can basically take in a picture of an armarni suit and get them to make it for you.

Costs about £80 for a whole suit. The quality is good and they are quick.

If anyone is interested let me know and I will dig up the address for you.

Ho yin

hoyin

4th floor
79 Queens Road
Central
Hong Kong

Tel: 225239737

It is a tiny doorway go down to the end of the corridor and take the lift to the 4th floor. Step out and into their shop to the right handside (if I remember correctly).

A lot of people go there both HK people and westerners ... mostly people who used to work in HK and bought their suits there.

They speak english so do not worry! Also they offer you a lifetime guarantee. If your body shape changes just take back your suit and they will alter it free of charge.

I have no affliation to them . I just got some suits made there.

There is of course a waiting time to get your suit made, so if you are going to get one done I suggest going to the shop as soon as you can so that you can pick up your suit before the end of your trip. You will have to go in once more so they can check the mock up on your body.

If you tell them when you are leaving they will try their best to get it done within your schedule.

I hope this helps someone and they manage to get some good bargins.

hoyin

As for being a tour guide ....

Thanks but no thanks ... Everytime my friends comeover I act as a tour guide .. so I have seen everything about 400 zillion times.

Plus luckily .. at the moment I am working in London.

But if you have any questions feel free to ask.

If some of you have never been to Asia before .. you are going to get a real culture shock! Better start practising with those chop sticks!!

:P

raeble

Are these suits just for men then? Anything that you shouldn't buy in HK? Also my sister is a veggie - are there any particular vegetarian dishes that she should look out for when eating out? Thanks very much.