Hong Kong

[centre mid]

Looking at going to Hong Kong around July with the Misses. Anybody recommend decent hotels (about €175 - €200 per night). Any must do things while there, places to go. I'm thinking about getting a suit made, I believe they will make it while you wait for next to nothing. Any suggestions welcome, Temples etc...

[DaveyCakes]

Get the ferry over to Macau (one hour) and gamble all your money away.

[MariborKev]

Centre mid, how long are you going for?

Head out to Lantau to see the buddha, take the train to Shezhen in China.

Give us an idea of how long you will be there and I'll fire a few suggestions.

[centre mid]

Maribor

Its going to be about 10 days hopefully. I've not set plan so dont mind doing a but of travelling aswell.

[centre mid]

anyone any suggestions, I'm going early July and staying in Kowloon for 10 days

[newrynyuk]

I might be replying a bit late here, but i've only just come across the foot.ie travel thread. Sorry. If you haven't gone yet, here's my advice for Hong Kong

Get an Octopus card (equivalent of an Oyster card) and load up about HK$200 (approx. €16) of credit on it and that cover all your transport needs in HK for a week. The Octopus is accepted on the all public transport except taxis and can even be used to pay for other goods and services.

The MTR (the HK underground) is your best bet for travelling around. To give you an idea how efficient it is, it made the TV news when an electrical failure caused one of the lines to be suit FOR TEN MINUTES! Be warned though, HK folk are no respecters of the unwritten "let the passenger off first" rule. As soon as the doors open, pile on to get a seat (there aren't many on a carriage) or sit in the first or last carriage which is comparatively emptier. The air conditioning is always turned on full blast, even in the middle of winter, so be prepared to feel chilly on long tube rides. Antenna loops run through all the tunnels, so you'll still be able to use your mobile when underground.

The trams run only on the north side of HK island and very slowly. Don't rely on them to get you anywhere on time. On the other hand it's a great way to see HK if you've time to spare and it's dirt cheap at HK$2 (€0.16). Board the tram on the back entrance and leave on the front one, paying on the way out. Try and sit down because the ceilings on the trams, especially the top deck, are very low.

The bus routes are rather complicated to the uninitiated, and cumbersome even to those who are. I would however, recommend - and this is my top HK tip - taking the number 6 bus from Central bus terminal (underneath the International Financial Center) on the north of the island to Stanley Village on the south, zig-zagging through the mountains in the middle. It is the most spectacular bus journey in the world, so try and get the front seats on the top deck of the bus. And if you're driven by a daredevil driver (and every other bus driver in HK is) it doubles as a rollercoaster ride too. All for just HK$5 (€0.40). But remember to take no. 6, not 6X, which goes through the Aberdeen tunnel and misses out on all the scenery.

Generally, prices for everything - with the possible exception of designer goods - are cheaper than Europe, especially with the current exchange rate of €1=HK$12. So pack an extra bag and splash out.

Do go to the Ladies Market in Mongkok, you think Temple Bar is busy on a Saturday night, you should see Mongkok. This is where all the clubs and karaoke bars are and where all the kids hang out. The Ladies Market runs from about 8pm and is relatively quieter and worth looking around, even if you don't buy anything. This is where to get your fake handbags and watches, though I wouldn't advise it as you'll automatically be quoted a higher price if you ask in English and can't haggle in Cantonese. DO NOT buy any electronic goods in Mongkok. Although the prices are dirt cheap and name brands, the insides are cheap parts which will fall apart very quickly. The other night market is in Temple Street, nearest MTR stop Jordan. Not as many fake handbags there, but this is where to go for the latest pirate movies on DVD.

There are many fine shopping malls in HK. The two I would recommend are Festival Walk and Harbour City. The beautifully designed Festival Walk is in Kowloon Tong (check out http://www.festivalwalk.com.hk (http://www.festivalwalk.com.hk/)), it has a glass roof letting in natural light and boasts a multiplex cinema, swimming pool, bowling alley and skating rink. Harbour City/ Ocean Terminal (http://www.harbourcity.com.hk (http://www.harbourcity.com.hk/)) is about the size of O'Connell Street, and believe me, that's no exaggeration. Go there by taking the Star Ferry from HK to Kowloon, Harbour City/ Ocean Terminal is right next to the Kowloon ferry stop. Both these malls will have positively everything you could possibly want to buy. It goes without saying you should pick up a map as soon as you enter theses malls and plan where you want to go. The choice is overwhelming.

With regards to where to go, it all depends on what you're interested in. For a full day out, do Ocean Park (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/eng/main/index.asp). Pack a cossie and enjoy the many water rides, wave pools etc. But even if you don't, there are many other things to enjoy, like the cable cars and rollercoasters, the zoos and aquariums, the historical heritage centers (many of them recreating ancient China) etc.

Take the tram up the peak (http://www.thepeak.com.hk/intro.html) and do the peak walk which will give you views of all of HK. Best to do this in the morning when it's cooler, or even at night if it's clear. The Peak Tower terminal has a Ripley's Believe It Or Not which is worth a half hour stroll.

[centre mid]

newrynyuk

Good synopsis of Hong Kong, yeah I'd gone by the time you posted but managed to figure most of it out myself. The Tram ride was a real highlight, ambling along at about 5 miles an hour. Took the brown line (Kennedey) I think. Had a ball in SoHo, got absolutley drenched one night there.

Found several huge shopping malls, basically on the same street. Seems to be a real shopping paradise alright. Couple of things I noticed though, the higher end shops seem to have people employed to say hello to you as you walk in and goodbye when you leave, they dont appear to have any other function. Also, the changing rooms have no mirrors in them so you have to come out into the shop to look at what your trying on. When you do this the shop assistants swarm around to tell you how fabulous you look.

The MTR was unbelieveable, I didnt wait more that 2 mins for any train. The stations and trains were spotless. I see what you meant about Hong Kong people not waiting for you to a light from the trains first.

Another point, I've never felt so safe in a major city before, not a bit of crime was witnessed by me. A chinese guy I was talking to told me that they are undercover police everywhere (not sure if this was made up for my benefit) and so thats why its a relatively safe place.

I went up to the Markets alright, but didnt do much for me I must say, There was a thunderstorm when I went there so that may have dampened my thoughts on it.

I'd highly recommend the trip to anyone, bloody long flight though....

[newrynyuk]

Glad you enjoyed it out in Hong Kong, Centre Mid.

Sorry again I didn't post before you went out there. Hopefully any forum members going to HK for the Olympics (where the Equestrian events are being staged) can make use of my advice (and yours).