Hong Kong

daiixi

I'm heading to Hong Kong for four nights in June. Does anyone have any hints and tips? In particular a hotel recommendation (something nice but not too expensive - between €50 and €85 a night). Also would be interested to hear from anyone who has been to Disneyland Hong Kong.

damienom

Was there in June of last year. Stayed in the Holiday Inn at Causeway Bay. Was very close to one of the main metro stations and was cheap enough with breakfast

Plenty to do in the way of sights - would recommend a trip out to Stanley and up to the Peak. We headed out to see the Giant Buddha which is worth a look.

Disney is good craic, very very quiet when we were there. You get a train to Sunny Bay and then get on a special Disney Train straight to the park.

daiixi

Cheers, thanks! Really looking forward to it so keep the hints coming people.

Laphroaig52

Go out to one of the outlying islands such as Cheung Chau and you will see a very different Hong Kong from that of Central and Kowloon. It takes about an hour each way on the ferry. Go early in the morning and you will be done by lunch time.

Naturally go to the Peak but if the weather is OK, consider walking down rather than cramming into the tram again. There are some pleasant trails on the way down and with smashing views of the city. Of course you could always consider walking up as well...

If you go to Stanley, take the 6 bus from Exchange Square. Try to get the front seat on the upper deck and hold on......

Enjoy the trams and the Star Ferry.

For nightlife, give Wan Chai a miss and head to Lan Kwai Fong.

finbarrk

I'm going there myself in August and I have got some good info from locals on the HK forum on the tripadvisor.com website.

Toots

Don't forget to give the markets a try too, there's some great bargains to be had if you haggle, and haggle good!! I got some lovely stuff at the Jade market, just make sure they hold a lighter up to the jade, if it scorches it's fake. Watch your handbag in the markets too, although I think that goes without saying!

Crania

I'm going to Hong Kong at the end of March for my brother's wedding. Just wondering have others been to Hong Kong and could you suggest things to do.

Also, we can't decide how long to stay there for. Obviously we're going for the wedding but we want to do the touristy things too and visit the sights. The wedding will basically take up two days. So I'm just wondering how long do other people think would be enough to stay, taking into account the time for the weddding, and enough time to visit the main tourist attractions of the city?

Thanks.

bnagrrl

I was in HK for 4 days 2 years ago. I would love go back and think about 10 days would be more than enough to see/experience everything. We stayed in an area called Kowloon.

The good:

• Victoria Peak: I'd recommend going up here after dark, the views and the lights are spectacular. If you only get to do one thing in HK, seriously, make it this! It's touristy but well worth it.
• Stanley Market: small market on HK island. Sells everything from clothing (Western and traditional Chinese styles), silk goods, souvenirs, jewellery etc.
• Lantau Island: Here you can see the world's largest bronze Buddha seated on a mountain. We got a bus ride up to the peak, then walked down the steps to some more beautiful buildings and features. As far as I remember there is a monastery here where the monks make lunch and you pay what you think it is worth. There are also many beautiful, "typical" looking buildings, well worth a photo.
• Disneyland HK: :eek::D YES - DISNEYLAND! Okay it may not be everyone's cup of tea but it makes a great day out and Space Mountain is worth the entry fee alone!
• Jumbo Floating Restaurant: Take a small boat out to the Jumbo, it's floating in Aberdeen Harbour. It's really quite a breathtaking site! Google it and you'll see. Had the best Dim Sum lunch here; delicious food. Even just go to see it and take pictires, it's amazing!

Sorry I can't remember anymore at the moment, I'll come back if I do. You could try tripadvisor.com for more tips/advice on HK.

Oh I would say avoid Temple Street Night Market. The stalls sell the same things over and over (baby clothes, fake designer handbags, jade jewellery, "novelty" items, baby clothes, fake designer handbags... you get the idea.) I found it to be very disappointing after everyone telling me it was a "must see." If you do decide to buy from a stall, offer them about 30% of the asking price and never pay more than 50% otherwise you've been ripped off!

staker

Great post there bnagrrl, would recommend all except i didn't do the disneyland!
We stayed in the royal garden for 3 nights on route home from Australia.
The light show at night time (9.00 i think) is a must from the mainland(Kowloon).
Victoria peak is cool,depends on the weather.
Dim Sum is a must.
I got a suit made, they shipped it home after measuring me and I think it cost me about $250.
A boat trip(Star Ferry) shows you the nice and slummy sides to HK from a safe distance!
I loved the place tbh, can't think of any more atm.

Ideo

The sound and light show is at 8pm, so make that first and then walk to the ferry terminal and take the ferry across the bay. When you arrive on HK Island there is a tourist bus(HK$4.20) outisde the ferry terminal that goes up to the Peak Tram station. Then just catch the return tram down(HK$48 i think) and the tourist bus goes by central MTR station I think it is and you can go anywhere from there!

bnagrrl

staker wrote: »

Great post there bnagrrl, would recommend all except i didn't do the disneyland!
We stayed in the royal garden for 3 nights on route home from Australia.
The light show at night time (9.00 i think) is a must from the mainland(Kowloon).
Victoria peak is cool,depends on the weather.
Dim Sum is a must.
I got a suit made, they shipped it home after measuring me and I think it cost me about $250.
A boat trip(Star Ferry) shows you the nice and slummy sides to HK from a safe distance!
I loved the place tbh, can't think of any more atm.

Oh yes the light show! Can't believe I forgot that, it's free and a great sight!

Sizzler

Looking at HK for next year, looks very impressive, now just trying to find another place to tie in with it to make the trip worthwhile.Was thinking of Bali but was put off big style by the terror threat still looming

Suggestions welcome!

Sizzler

bnagrrl wrote: »

I was in HK for 4 days 2 years ago. I would love go back and think about 10 days would be more than enough to see/experience everything. We stayed in an area called Kowloon.

The good:

• Victoria Peak: I'd recommend going up here after dark, the views and the lights are spectacular. If you only get to do one thing in HK, seriously, make it this! It's touristy but well worth it.
• Stanley Market: small market on HK island. Sells everything from clothing (Western and traditional Chinese styles), silk goods, souvenirs, jewellery etc.
• Lantau Island: Here you can see the world's largest bronze Buddha seated on a mountain. We got a bus ride up to the peak, then walked down the steps to some more beautiful buildings and features. As far as I remember there is a monastery here where the monks make lunch and you pay what you think it is worth. There are also many beautiful, "typical" looking buildings, well worth a photo.
• Disneyland HK: :eek::D YES - DISNEYLAND! Okay it may not be everyone's cup of tea but it makes a great day out and Space Mountain is worth the entry fee alone!
• Jumbo Floating Restaurant: Take a small boat out to the Jumbo, it's floating in Aberdeen Harbour. It's really quite a breathtaking site! Google it and you'll see. Had the best Dim Sum lunch here; delicious food. Even just go to see it and take pictires, it's amazing!

Sorry I can't remember anymore at the moment, I'll come back if I do. You could try tripadvisor.com for more tips/advice on HK.

Oh I would say avoid Temple Street Night Market. The stalls sell the same things over and over (baby clothes, fake designer handbags, jade jewellery, "novelty" items, baby clothes, fake designer handbags... you get the idea.) I found it to be very disappointing after everyone telling me it was a "must see." If you do decide to buy from a stall, offer them about 30% of the asking price and never pay more than 50% otherwise you've been ripped off!

Great post

Is it an expensive place, eating out shopping etc?

Good for buying all those fancy cameras /phones etc. that you wont see this side of the world for a few years

bnagrrl

Sizzler wrote: »

Great post

Is it an expensive place, eating out shopping etc?

Good for buying all those fancy cameras /phones etc. that you wont see this side of the world for a few years

As far as I remember food is average/slightly over priced in HK, similar to here really I guess.

With regards to buying electronics you have to be really careful where you go. Many shops sell very convincing fakes that aren't worth a fraction of the asking price. Only go to a shop that has an actual name, not just SONY or PANASONIC over the door, these places will rip you off! My OH got a great Sony camera there, if he can remember the shop I'll post it here!
Also try to haggle, it's kinda embarrassing but worth it! The camera my OH wanted was €550 here and €300 in HK. I got them to throw in a case and an extra memory card for that price. If you don't like what they're asking for, walk away and the price will go down.

Maire2009

Hi folks,

I am heading to Hong Kong in October for the three days with two pals.

I've searched around a few sites and forums and people have suggested to stay in Central Hong Kong. Has any one any tips on a nice, clean hotel? Willing to pay about €70 pp, per night (although cheaper would be good ).

Also is there any dos and don't we should adhere too as we have heard Hong Kong is pretty liberal?

Finally, any suggestions on an activity we shouldn't miss out on doing? We are only staying for the few days and on a relatively small budget.

Thanks for any help.

MrMatisse

I'd highly reccomend the Novotel on Nathan Road in Kowloon, its a really nice hotel and its not that expensive, much cheaper than the rest of hong kong.

(Part of HK is called central so im not sure if you wanna stay there or just be in the middle of Hong Kong, if you just wanna be in the centre of things than i would reccomend the above. The area called central is really expensive! Hong Kong is tiny so once your in the middle of it you can get around easily)

As for things to do, make sure you hit the one of the beaches at one stage. I didnt realise there were beaches all over Hong Kong on the outlying Islands but there are, some are pretty spectactular.

As for going out head to Soho. As rowdy as anywhere i have been.

Maire2009

Thanks for the advise Really-Stressed.

I was told that Hong Kong "Central" is the place to go, but the person that told me that has a couple of bob to spare.

I will check out that hotel in Kowloon

Didn't think Hong Kong was a place for resting on the beach - thanks for the heads up.

mikedragon32

Moved from Travel & Holidays

Luckycharms_74

Maire2009 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am heading to Hong Kong in October for the three days with two pals.

I've searched around a few sites and forums and people have suggested to stay in Central Hong Kong. Has any one any tips on a nice, clean hotel? Willing to pay about €70 pp, per night (although cheaper would be good ).

Also is there any dos and don't we should adhere too as we have heard Hong Kong is pretty liberal?

Finally, any suggestions on an activity we shouldn't miss out on doing? We are only staying for the few days and on a relatively small budget.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Marie

I was in Hong Kong in May with my partner. We stayed in Singapore first then flew to Hong Kong and stayed there for 4 days. We got a great deal with
http://www.zuji.com.sg.

The flights and hotel accomodation in the Kimberley Hotel (Luxe Manor) was €650 for the 2 of us. If you are just going to Hong Kong here are some links for hotel deals & reviews on the said hotel.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294217-d305812-Reviews-Kimberley_Hotel-Hong_Kong_Hong_Kong_Region.html

Here is the official website of the hotel.

http://www.theluxemanor.com/

Here are the discounted hotel deals.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/hong_kong/hong_kong/the_luxe_manor_hotel.html

The main reason we chose that area Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon area) is because of its close proximity to the ferry. Taxi cabs are very cheap in HK, a €2 taxi will get you to the ferry terminal. I recommend visiting Macau. The ferry will cost you about €13 each way. There are tour guides when you arrive in Macau. They guy charged me about €60 for the day and he will bring you to all the tourist attrations in Macau. If you want to spend more time on certain places its entirly up to you. Macau is full of casinos and 5* hotels which are worth a visit just to see them. You can get lunch in the hotels in Macau for around €3-€4.

I also recommend going to harbour front at night in Hong Kong island, it's amazing with all the buildings lit up. You should also go up to the "Victoria Peak" or "the peak" to the locals. It has an amazing view overlooking the harbour.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peak_(Hong_Kong)
On route to the peak you should visit Lan Kwai Fong which is very popular with the tourists and full of ex-pats. Lots of pubs & clubs with great food available as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Kwai_Fong

Hope this is of some help to you

Maire2009

Hi nslattery,

That is excellent information, thanks a million.

We are going to Hong Kong as a stop over and want to cover as much as possible in the few days.

Excellent info there, thanks.