[Anonymous]

[hongkongflewy]

Hi – i’ve just read the excellent thread with tips for the first time visitor to Manhattan, and was wondering if anyone had similar tips for Hong Kong? I’m spending a week there for the first time, and it would be great to hear posters’ suggestions for sights, restaurants, bars, markest, etc.

Thanks!

[FlyingChinaman]

Hongkongflewy:

One thing you should not miss is to have happy hour drinks (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) at the LFK Hotel (33 Wyndham Street). Take the lift(elevator) to the 29th floor for the Azure Restaurant and ascend to the 30th floor via the spiral staicase. Buy your drinks at the bar and go out to terrace and marvel the strikingly stunning night view of the Asian Manhattan!

NYC has a serious contender!

[robsmith100]

Victoria Peak – great views of HK, but remember to spray lots insect replant on before you go up at night, as there are mosquitoes every where

Happy Valley – for an evenings racing.

and if your budget allows you, afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel

[VintageKrug]

I did Afternoon Tea at the Pen when I stayed there last time I visited.

Deeply unimpressed, service slow, surroundings moderate but by no means appropriate to the cost, and the food component was rather average.

Certainly a good suggestion in principle, but doesn’t live up to its reputation. Perhaps Tea at the MO would be a better bet?

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/about_mo/media/press_releases/property/landmark_stella.aspx

[CallMeIshmael]

To get some exercise, see scenic places off the normal tourist routes, meet some new social friends and share a drink or two if you wish, find a Hash House Harrier group

http://www.meetup.com/Hash-House-Harrier-Kennels-in-Hong-Kong

Walking up Victoria Peak is also good exercise with free views thrown in as you catch your breath. The route crosses the tramway a couple of times so you can take a more restful ride any time.

The Peninsula Hotel on Kowloon for afternoon tea, people watching and some up-market shopping should be tried once. Get shoes made to measure, at Lily shoes in the arcade, you will never need to break in a pair again – bliss. They keep your foot mold forever so as long as your foot stays the same just send them a photo and they will mail back a bespoke, perfectly fitting pair.

Try a back street restaurant once with the Woks sitting on 1m high gas cylinders.. smile if you find a chicken’s foot in your soup, it is a delicacy not a mistake.

An evening at the races in Happy Valley is essential even if you aren’t into horses it is a great experience and the grand daddy of night time floodlight racing.

As a prelude to the world famous HK7s rugby at the end of March is the highly sociable 10’s with many of the less speedy/agile internationals joining in. It used to be open entry but is now the 10s premiere event. Many years ago my team was drawn against the “English Classicals”, being a second row playing front row having to pack down against the English front row (Moore, Rendall Probyn) of the day was an unforgettable experience.

[NTarrant]

The Wharney Guang Dong Hotel in Lockhart Road is quite comfortable and reasonably price, stayed there last week. Booked through ba.com and the rate was cheaper than direct. Ideal location with the airport express train bus stopping right outside and one block away from Wan Chi MTR station.

Tram ride a must also for the best harbour views at day or night use one of the many Star Ferry crossings.

Buddah at Lantau Island, MTR to Tung Chung and then cable car or do a combination of bus and cable car.

Stanley market (bus 6,6A, 6X, 66 from Central) good prices with people who will haggle too. Peak tram a must. Get an Octopus card to use on buses, tram, MTR and can also be used to pay for drinks at places like Starbucks. Whatever you add to it you can return the card and get a full refund less $7.00 (about 60p) at the airport.

Day trip to Macau, passport required. Travel in Super class if there are four of you you can get a private cabin onboard which is the same price as four anyway was $1920 this week (about £165).

Take MTR to Lo Wu for a trip to China, don’t forget visa first. Good shopping there and Shangri-La hotel does a good afternoon tea.

[LuganoPirate]

Have to concur with VK on the Peninsula, but I think many go there for the nostalgia. Also a great place to people watch as many Heads of State, ministers and celebrities stay there. It would stay on my list of places to visit though.

[FlyingChinaman]

VK: You are quite right in saying that the High tea in the Peninsula Hotel is no longer wonderful – a far cry from my childhood week-end events. Now the seating is tripled, food quality decreased and there is a constant flow of curious tourists descending in this once transquil and stylish Lobby area with a quaint colonial feel. By all means visit the place as it is still nice.

For Dim sum lovers, try the Luk Yu Tea House (24 Stanley Street) to capture the flavour of the Old Hong Kong. – a vestige of a lost era! You might be rubbing shoulders with local and visiting celebrities or politicians! Dim Sum is served between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and never at dinner time.

Also try the Night Market (Jordon Road MTR station) for your shopping bargins and the fake watches/designer bags! There is also alfresco seafood dining on the street. A very good place for people watching.

[CallMeIshmael]

Join an al fresco Tai Chi class held in nearly all HK parks or green spaces usually in the morning

[JohnPhelanAustralia]

1. the Symphony of Lights, every night (view from Kowloon side)
2. the Star Ferry (pay the extra for 1st class and “no spitting”)
3. ferry and bus ride to the big Buddha on the top of Lantau Island
4. the Mid-levels escalator
5. the lounge bar at the top of the Sheraton at Kowloon (possibly combine with suggestion 1)

[FlyingChinaman]

As an alternative to JohnPhelanAustralia’s suggestion of viewing the Light and Sound show from the Kowloon Harbour waterfront or from the Sheraton Hotel lounge, Aqua Luna runs a harbour tour on a luxurious chinese traditional junk with 3 red sails (like the logo on HK Tourism Board ad). The sailing is at around 7:30 p.m. which synchonises with the 8 p.m. show. Cost at HK$200 (US$25) including one cocktail.

For coming back down from the Peak, Take Bus No.15 to Central and get on the upper deck front seat if possible and you will be thrill with the winding roads and the spectacular sights of the Hong Kong Island.

It is also worth taking a normal TRAM ride(upper deck again) from Central district to the direction of Saukeiwan and you will see the colourful Hong Kong for a one-way fare of HK$2 (US2.5 Cents). Best transport bargain in the world! Take your camera to capture the exotic sights of the city. If you stay on the tram you can come back without needing to buy another ticket. The return journey will take around 2 hours.

[NTarrant]

If you are into Mickey Mouse and friends there is of course Hong Kong Disney. Take the MTR to Sunny Bay and change to the Disney Line where the windows are Mickey ears shape, the strap handles are.. yes Mickey ears shape and there are cases containing statues of Disney caratures.

As an alternative to the MTR to Disney the A11 bus from North Bay Ferry via Wan Chi, Admiralty and Central to Lantau Toll Plaza, this is another grab the front seats trip for commanding views over the bridge to Lantau and also after coming out of the tunnel views over the harbour. Change at the Toll Plaza to the R8 for Disney.

[hongkongflewy]

Thanks all for your tips – i’ll let you know how i get on!

[janrotterdam]

One thing more to recommend: take a ferry and go over to Macau….it is only about 50 minutes ferry…spent a day there…with all the casinos and the challenging architecture it will be a day well spent….

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