Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Anyone been to HKG? I'm looking for some recommendations. Which part did you stay? How long did you go for? and where to go and where not to go?!
Thanks :D
Answers:
I've been to HKG for all of 1.5 days and an overnight stay! Things to do:
Star Ferry
The Peak, especially at dusk
The light show, view from the Avenue of the Stars on the Kowloon side of the Star Ferry
Go for a meal and/or drinks at Aqua at Peking One
Answers:
Hong Kong is fantastic! We stopped over on our honeymoon to Australia last year, 3 nights on the way there and 2 on the way back.
We stayed in Kowloon both times, which is basically the end of the mainland, facing Hong Kong Island. There are also good hotels on HK Island. We stayed at the Intercontinental and the Royal Garden, both fab but the IC slightly better. V expensive, but it was our honeymoon! There are cheaper big hotels though, and there is also a youth hostel on the main drag in Kowloon where we went to a restaurant in the building and it looked quite nice, so might be a budget option.
We didn't eat that well TBH, buffets are very popular in the more westernised restaurants and we did go to a reasonably nice one on HK Island which I think was some kind of navy club type place. In fairness though we are both non-meat eaters (though we do eat fish, but can be a bit squeamish) and some restaurant menus are amusingly graphic, but at the cost of my appetite! Breakfast in the hotels was lovely though, literally everything you could possibly think of wanting.
In terms of things to do, definitely get the (heart stopping) tram up to the Peak on HK Island. The view is amazing, as are some of the houses you pass.
The Star Ferry, between Kowloon and HK Island is lovely, very Victorian, although I think there were plans to close the old pier in Kowloon for redevelopment, which would be a shame.
The Hong Kong museum is great. It's literally the history of Hong Kong from geologically how it was founded, to the Chinese handover. We did it in 2 goes as it's on 2 floors and quite big! It's free one day a week (Weds I think).
The light show is, um, not the most impressive thing I've ever seen. Kind of an 80s vision of what it would look like if aliens invaded IMO. BUT, the actual view of HK Island, where the light show is done (basically the buildings flash laser lights at each other) is stunning! Not the most natural, or environmentally friendly of views, but in the dark it really has a sort of man made beauty. I would avoid the Avenue of the Stars and go into the Intercontinental bar (you don't need to be a resident, you just get a better seat if you are). It has massive plate glass windows and the view is simply stunning, and you get to drink wine at the same time!
On the subject of bars, mostly in Kowloon they are in hotels, though there are a few theme restaurant bars. But if you wander north a bit, there are lots of back street bars which are fine. We accidentally wandered into a Karaoke one and were treated to the funniest version of 'My Way' that I have ever heard!
For shopping - it's kind of a Far East version of Monaco around Kowloon / HK Island, but go further in and there are all sorts of little shops and markets. Lots of tailors too, although we didn't get anything made.
If you're going to stay for a while, I would suggest some trips to the islands and/or Macau (which is Portugese/Chinese rather than English/Chinese so I imagine would offer an interesting contrast). We really wanted to do one on the way back, but had had some very choppy seas in Oz, so I couldn't really face another long boat ride.
Phew! Epic post! Hope it's helpful. Happy to answer any Qs if I can.
ETA - Forgot to say to have afternoon tea at The Peninsula - oldest and poshest hotel in HK, you have to queue but it's lovely.
Answers:
My favourite place to visit in Hong Kong is Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha - the largest bronzed buddha in the world. It's quite an amazing sight.
Take a look at http://www.discoverhongkong.com, it's an excellent resource. Also, once you arrive at the airport, keep an eye out for free travel information from the Tourist Board that you can take home.
Answers:
5740290) My favourite place to visit in Hong Kong is Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha - the largest bronzed buddha in the world. It's quite an amazing sight.
I really wanted to go there, but for the boat sickness. :boohoo: A trip back may be in order...
Sorry to hijack KitKat.
Anyone been to HKG? I'm looking for some recommendations. Which part did you stay? How long did you go for? and where to go and where not to go?!
Thanks :D
Answers:
I've been to HKG for all of 1.5 days and an overnight stay! Things to do:
Star Ferry
The Peak, especially at dusk
The light show, view from the Avenue of the Stars on the Kowloon side of the Star Ferry
Go for a meal and/or drinks at Aqua at Peking One
Answers:
Hong Kong is fantastic! We stopped over on our honeymoon to Australia last year, 3 nights on the way there and 2 on the way back.
We stayed in Kowloon both times, which is basically the end of the mainland, facing Hong Kong Island. There are also good hotels on HK Island. We stayed at the Intercontinental and the Royal Garden, both fab but the IC slightly better. V expensive, but it was our honeymoon! There are cheaper big hotels though, and there is also a youth hostel on the main drag in Kowloon where we went to a restaurant in the building and it looked quite nice, so might be a budget option.
We didn't eat that well TBH, buffets are very popular in the more westernised restaurants and we did go to a reasonably nice one on HK Island which I think was some kind of navy club type place. In fairness though we are both non-meat eaters (though we do eat fish, but can be a bit squeamish) and some restaurant menus are amusingly graphic, but at the cost of my appetite! Breakfast in the hotels was lovely though, literally everything you could possibly think of wanting.
In terms of things to do, definitely get the (heart stopping) tram up to the Peak on HK Island. The view is amazing, as are some of the houses you pass.
The Star Ferry, between Kowloon and HK Island is lovely, very Victorian, although I think there were plans to close the old pier in Kowloon for redevelopment, which would be a shame.
The Hong Kong museum is great. It's literally the history of Hong Kong from geologically how it was founded, to the Chinese handover. We did it in 2 goes as it's on 2 floors and quite big! It's free one day a week (Weds I think).
The light show is, um, not the most impressive thing I've ever seen. Kind of an 80s vision of what it would look like if aliens invaded IMO. BUT, the actual view of HK Island, where the light show is done (basically the buildings flash laser lights at each other) is stunning! Not the most natural, or environmentally friendly of views, but in the dark it really has a sort of man made beauty. I would avoid the Avenue of the Stars and go into the Intercontinental bar (you don't need to be a resident, you just get a better seat if you are). It has massive plate glass windows and the view is simply stunning, and you get to drink wine at the same time!
On the subject of bars, mostly in Kowloon they are in hotels, though there are a few theme restaurant bars. But if you wander north a bit, there are lots of back street bars which are fine. We accidentally wandered into a Karaoke one and were treated to the funniest version of 'My Way' that I have ever heard!
For shopping - it's kind of a Far East version of Monaco around Kowloon / HK Island, but go further in and there are all sorts of little shops and markets. Lots of tailors too, although we didn't get anything made.
If you're going to stay for a while, I would suggest some trips to the islands and/or Macau (which is Portugese/Chinese rather than English/Chinese so I imagine would offer an interesting contrast). We really wanted to do one on the way back, but had had some very choppy seas in Oz, so I couldn't really face another long boat ride.
Phew! Epic post! Hope it's helpful. Happy to answer any Qs if I can.
ETA - Forgot to say to have afternoon tea at The Peninsula - oldest and poshest hotel in HK, you have to queue but it's lovely.
Answers:
My favourite place to visit in Hong Kong is Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha - the largest bronzed buddha in the world. It's quite an amazing sight.
Take a look at http://www.discoverhongkong.com, it's an excellent resource. Also, once you arrive at the airport, keep an eye out for free travel information from the Tourist Board that you can take home.
Answers:
5740290) My favourite place to visit in Hong Kong is Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha - the largest bronzed buddha in the world. It's quite an amazing sight.
I really wanted to go there, but for the boat sickness. :boohoo: A trip back may be in order...
Sorry to hijack KitKat.