Hong Kong advice thread

malamala

We came back on Feb 12th and bought a PDA and 12x optical zoon camera from a shop called Citicall. (They have branches everywhere in Hong Kong, just like Boardway and Fortress.)

PDA: HP Ipaq 4700 Selling Price: HKD 4,680 with a free memory card
Digital Camera: Konica Minolta DiMage Z5: HKD 3,480 with a free 256mb memory card

We found that we have saved VAT if compared to the cheapest price buying online in UK. But if compared to shops like Argos, we found we saved 100 pounds alone on the camera.

The best thing about buying electronic products in Hong Kong is, there are so many varieties and the latest models available, all laid in front of you.

We bought ours in Mongkok. After coming out of the MTR Mongkok station Bank Centre exit, you will see a Body Shop, along that road you will see numerous shops selling electronic goods.

Hughjanus

For the best choice of electrical and computer goods and digital cameras, the best place to go would be the Wanchai computer centre (above the Wanchai MTR station) or "298" - 298 Hennessy Rd Wanchai. both would be within easy walking distance of the Excelsior hotel. Avoid any camera or electrical shops on Nathan Road - you can get seriously ripped off!
if you like markets, Temple Street market is very interesting at night-time, and Sham Shui Po area is fantastic - head to Fuk Wa Street or Ap Liu Street. You are unlikely to see any other tourists there. There is also the Golden Computer centre - just follow signs from inside Sham Shui Po MTR station. remember with all these places that the cheapest prices are often grey imports and have either "shop guarantees" or local Hong Kong guarantees. Ask for the international guarantee price - or take a gamble!
the exchange rate is very much in your favour at the moment, so if you would like one of the best lunch buffets of your life, go to the Shangri-La hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sundays. It's in Cafe Kool - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I think it's about $230 and worth every cent.

pickle

Electrical products are a really good buy. I got a video camera for almost half the price i would have paid here! You're probably already there - hope you enjoyed the ****tail bar!

ian_mitchell_2

Just got back on 14th March

Get a Octopus card, I stayed for 3 days so got the 3 days unlimted MTR rides (which is very valuable when hoping around) you also get two airport express journeys for $300HK (£21) (get the card for the airport customer services desk) it also comes with $20HK for speding on buses, trams, and the star ferry. Grab a cab when you get off the train, make sure you know your hotel and the street its on, taxis are generally cheap and there are loads of them.

Taxi drivers and bus drivers generally do not speak alot of English if any. But I found people in restuarants and shops have very good English.

Make sure you get a detailed map of the area otherwise you WILL get lost.

Do not buy souveniers from the airport they are avalible for alot less in the markets.

The places you must go are:

Stanley Market - here you will find many tourist ornaments ect. Grab the No. 6, 6A or 6X bus from Exchange Square in Central. Cost about $8HK (about 56p). Sit on the left, on the upper deck, the view is amazing. Make sure you haggle, i generally got money off everything.

Star ferry - Go day on it day and night on the upper deck. Cost $2.2HK about 15p a ride and takes about 8 mins. Take a few shots of Hong Kong Island.

The Peak - Go up on the peak tram or number 15 bus (from Exchange Square), the view are amazing. Check out the shops their too you can pick up a few good buys. The peak tram cost $20HK single trip (£1.40) or $30HK return (£2.10). Bus costs about $8HK (56p). Go around on the peak walk, takes about an hour the views are very good especially towards the end.

Shopping - Check out the various shopping centres, Pacific place in central, and times square in causeway bay. Have a look around the streets around central, wan chai and cause way bay, some good deals to be had. I found a shop called 'bonjour' they sold aftershave more than half price of the UK. La Coste 75ml for £13. Look out for the ones with reductions stickers. Go to local supermarkets and pick up some chinese wine its about 33% but they still call it wine?

Check out the night market in Mongkok is very cheap make sure you haggle. Watch out for pickpockets.

Hong Kong Park (central) (free) - Make sure you go around the aviary it's amazing.

Man Mo Temple - Oldest temple in Hong Kong, make sure you bang the bong and bell three times its for good luck
Speak to the tourist advisors think they are in yellow and very friendly.

Make sure you stay clear of the electronic shops on Nathan Road apparently they are very dodgy.

Hope this information helps, have a good time.

Dusan_2

got back on 12th March and adding my moneysaving tips :

The best currency exchange I found was on Nathan Road 32, just behind hotel Sheraton (4 exchange bureau on each side, the last one Western Union had the best rate ($14.96 buy / $15.12 sell) for £1.

Go to Ladies Market for "Real Leather" belts, they wanted 45, I got 12 for $20/each (£1.4) - bargain. You have to watch out for "real" leather, as there are fakes as well.

Get a suit done while you are there:
I got this address from this forum somewhere and I'm glad I went there.
Cheung Hing Tailor,
4/F, 79 Queen's Road Central (next to the longest escalators)
Tel: 2523 9737, 2525 8997

They made me 2 suits + extra pair of trousers in 4 days. Very good quality(cashmere) and very cheap (£85/suit with extra trousers). They have collections of thousands of fabrics, so don't worry. You would pay double or triple in any other high street tailor in HK.
They speak English as well.

I got a leaflet on the street and visited another tailor to get 4 shirts done. Got them ready in 2 days (£15 each). They do suits as well, but they start from £90 (for the same material I got).

Ascot Tailor
Room 1508, 15/F. Rise Comm. Building
No.52 Granville Road,
TsimShaTsui, tel: 23670840


Places to eat (Chinese fast-food restaurants) , Maxim's, Cafe de Coral, ... or any hotel buffet dinner.
http://www.hongkongfoodguide.com/eng/index.shtml

Electronic gadgets:
Not very much difference in price of digital cameras. They are almost the same price as on Ebuyer website excluding VAT.
Be careful, if you get better price, it may be gray import from Japan. (no International warranty, what you may get is local shop warranty or Japanese only warranty). But if you can live with that, then OK.
What is cheaper compared to England : DV tapes, camera films, rechargeable batteries, accessories. (half price or even less)

Getafix

Pegleg2001 wrote:

I used to visit HK 3-4 times a year. For bargains would recommend the following:

1. Custom suits and shirts - Ash Samtani in Kowloon. Quality English and Italian cloth and well tailored (also the generous G+T was appreciated during initial measuring!). Has 2-3 day turn around. - http://www.samtani.com/

Roughly how much would I be looking at paying for a suit from the Samtani's? They sound expensive :think:

petal_2

Can anyone tell me what personal safety is like in Hong Kong.

I would be taking my mother who is in her 70's and a bit of a nervous traveller.

Would a trip to Hong Kong be suitable or would I be better re-thinking?

Thanks

littlereddevil

I would say HK would be perfectly safe for your mother but some parts are a bit hilly and lumpy for walking.But if she has no problems she will be fine. Kowloon is flatter but I prefer HK island.

monki_man

ian_mitchell wrote:

where's best to get cheap designer clothes from?

Hmm, there is a massive shopping centre called Sogo. I'm not sure where it is located but I heard it’s the place to go for genuine designer labels.

skr80

We had a great time in HK - amusing to see this old post re-appear tho