Hong Kong Bits & Pieces

[PeteC]

Thanks for the info Pete. Looking forward to the links over the coming weeks. Much appreciated John hh

No problems John, I'll start putting some things on here over the weekend.

Concerning what I said before about where to stay, of course you could do the opposite and stay at a Disneyland hotel and travel to HK Island and Kowloon using the MTR and ferry system in reverse. I just really all depends upon what your main priority is, Disneyland or touring HK. The ferries to the pier near the DL hotel stop around 1900 hours. Also, the MTR trains to the DL station are infrequent after about 2000 hours, meaning probably every 30-45 minutes.

Hotels are going to be your biggest cost consideration. They are not cheap no matter where you stay. The DL places are good in that they're geared for families and I assume you'll have at least 3 people in your group. Most rooms have two large double beds instead of one king size and 3-4 people can sleep easily in these. If you opt for a suite you have the two double beds, plus the sofa in the living room is a pull out bed, so you could sleep 6 people in a suite. See the Disneyland link in the other thread. It has a 'hotel' tab that explains all as well as rates and promotions.

No matter where you stay, the rooms will be small unless you opt for a suite and the price of those generally are somewhere around 300-350USD per night in a 3 star place. Go up to 4-5 star and you're looking at 500USD+. Yes, there are some 2 star and backpacker hotels especially in Kowloon but I don't think you'll want to stay in one of those. Usually filled to the rafters with mainland Chinese tour groups.

You're really going to need to spend a lot of time on-line looking at hotel choices based upon your budget and location choice. Pete

[PeteC]

OK, I start with The Peak on Hong Kong Island. This a must do for anyone visiting Hong Kong who has never done it. The below link has all the details. There are several trails around the entire top of the peak that are well worth hiking, it will take about an hour for most if normal pace and stopping to take in the view and photos. There is spectacular scenery down over HK and the harbour and all they way to Kowloon and beyond on a clear day. In the rainy season now the top of the peak is covered in cloud day and night but that should clear out in a few months as the weather changes.

http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/home.asp

Also included with this first installment is the main site for the Hong Kong Tourism Board. This is a good on-line guidebook and ready reference to hundreds of things to do and see. Pete

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html

[PeteC]

This one I need to post early before I forget as any visitor needs to study it in detail to be able to get around properly without using taxis. On the below web site find and click "Journey Planner" at the top. It's interactive and on the map you can insert (click) origin/destination and see the fares. Also see reference to the "octopus card" on this site. It can be used on the MTR, airport express, light rail, ferries, buses etc., if you're going to be traveling that much. Single trip tickets are also available.

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/cust_index.html

Here is another good map of the entire system. Pete

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XULsk_L5JCM/R ... utemap.jpg

[PeteC]

Next up is the Star Ferry, a must do and a very pleasant and historical way to get across the harbour for visitor and resident alike. The below link also mentions a 'harbour tour' but I don't know anything about that. It could make for a pleasant afternoon. Inquire at your hotel and I'm sure they'll know more. Click on the 'ferry service' tab to see the routes and piers.

http://www.starferry.com.hk/

The following Wiki link gives some detailed history of the company and ferries themselves. There is/was one of these in Pattaya being used as a dinner cruise boat. Years ago I asked how it got here and was told it motored under it's own power all the way from Hong Kong. Pete

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

[PeteC]

This is the best on-line Hong Kong street map I could find and very similar to the printed version you'll find in your hotel room. Right click to zoom and move around at will. It covers the major areas of Hong Kong island and Kowloon. Pete

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/city/56 ... -Kong.html

[PeteC]

Today's installment is about shopping. If your wife will be with you and she is indicative of her species, you may have to drug her as shopping is all she may want to do on your holiday.

I don't know of any other city in the world where shopping is as good as in Hong Kong. Everything imaginable is available and you only have a short walk or MTR ride between areas and stores. There are countless computer shops where you'll find anything and everything.

The locations listed on the below links can be found on the map posted yesterday. Pete


http://www.10best.com/destinations/sar, ... districts/

http://hong-kong.tourism-asia.net/hong- ... pping.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ho ... 20178.html

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/sho ... rkets.html

http://www.smarttravelasia.com/hkshop.htm

[PeteC]

Next, museums. There are enough to keep you busy for a month. If time is short I would recommend the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. They are not far from each other in Tsim Sha Tsui. Pete

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/att ... useum.html

[PeteC]

This entry pertains to historic places. This is a big Wiki link with photos and includes Chinese, British and Japanese WWII historical structures. There are also additional links at the bottom for further research. Hopefully you can fit a few in during a visit if time permits. Pete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gr ... _Hong_Kong

[PeteC]

I seem to have posted the Grade II historic buildings above. Below are links for both Grade I and Grade III. Pete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gr ... _Hong_Kong

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gr ... _Hong_Kong

[PeteC]

If the madness of the city gets to be too much for you, head for one of the small outer islands indicated on the below link. Have a good seafood lunch, stroll around the parks, villages and beaches, then be back in your hotel in time for dinner. No need to take a tour, but they are available. Easy to get there yourself by going to the Hong Kong Island Central ferry pier. All islands are only a 20 minute to 1 hour trip each way. Po Toi you have to depart from Aberdeen or Stanley, not Central.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/att ... lands.html

Lantau Island commands links for it alone. It's the largest outer island where the airport, Disneyland and many other attractions are located.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/loc ... sland.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attract ... lantau.htm

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/As ... -BR-1.html

Another option is to take a Harbour tour on an authentic Chinese Junk. There is still one original left. Go to the below link, find "Duk Ling Ride" and download the PDF file. Pete

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/thi ... tours.html

[PeteC]

That's the end of this digest from my side. I hope others will now comment on their individual experiences. I'm not going to talk about hotels or restaurants as that's up to personal choice and budget. It suffices to say that you can find any type of restaurant and pub you can imagine. For single guys who want to run wild you can mix it up down and dirty with the Filipina lasses in Wanchai, or spend 1,000 HKD per hour to sit with a Chinese goddess at the high class clubs in Tsim Sha Tsui. Don't get me wrong, the Wanchai places are expensive as well....beware!

Don't forget that one of the joys of Hong Kong is just going out walking and getting lost in the sea of humanity, sights and sounds. In Sheung Wan on HK Island you can walk to the interior and still see HK as it was long ago. You can't get lost on HK Island, as with the peak on one side and the sea on the other, you'll always have your bearings. Another experience is Central on a Sunday when all the Filipina maids in HK have their day off. Thousands of them picnicking and partying. Many a young Brit in the past has found a girlfriend on Sunday in Central.

Three more links I forgot. Must do/see:

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/att ... house.html

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/att ... y-gun.html

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/att ... edral.html

I'll end with some of my favourite YouTube videos. There are hundreds concerning Hong Kong and suggest the potential visitor looks at the listing, as some specific to locations which may be of interest.





This one you aviation fans will love! Kai Tak was the old HK airport, now closed. Every landing was 'white knuckle' and definitely woke you up after a long trans-pacific flight. Many pilots are on record saying it was the most difficult in the world for landings. You'll see why. Regardless of weather or wind, take off's and landings were only in one direction due to the buildings at the one end of the runway. Great stuff. Pete

[PeteC]

Always forget something, don't we. This is an historic and cheap mode of transport on Hong Kong Island. Click the 'service' tab for route information. Fun way to see the city. Pete

http://www.hktramways.com/en/home.html

[John HH]

Pete thank you so much!

There is a wealth of info here which will keep me going and researching for a while. I've just managed a quick squizz but will sit down and read it all in detail hopefully this evening.

Thanks again Pete you are a true HHAD legend!



John hh