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| I am planning to visit HongKong during my holidays for 2 weeks and I looking for suggestions and help on following:
1. Suitable area to stay.
2. Recommendations on place to see and thing to do.
3. Possibilities of renting a flat.
Any help appreciated.  | |
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Have you seen this?
Tips for Hong Kong
Areas to stay depends on your budget. The pricier hotels like the Mandarin, Ritz, are all on HKG Island - except the Peninsular and Hotel Intercontinental which are on Kowlooon island. You wont go wrong on either side - but there are many hotels suitable for diff budgets in HKG. I do like Langham Palace in Mongkok (where the Ladies Market is) on Kowloon but not really familiar with the rest as I usually stay with my aunt.
Recommendations on places? Too many. Off the top of my head, if you are a first timer:
1. Victoria Peak (allow half a day max)
- probably the most touristy spot in hong kong but the views are gorgeous and well worth it.
- decent enough restaurant up there called the Peak Lookout.
-how to get there: MTR to Central Station. Cant remember which exit it is but do ask the MTR staff at the station on which exit to take for the trams up to Victoria Peak (tram ride up there is quite an experience!). Take the seats on the right of the tram - thats where the views on the way up are!
- they've opened a Madam Tussands up there, I hear its quite good.
2. Star Ferry across the harbour
- Fantastic way to take in the harbour sights and get the famous HK skyline photos
- an alternative to the MTR to get across both islands (Kowloon island is where you'll be and Hong Kong island)
3. Avenue of the stars
- modelled after Hollywood's Walk of Fame. honours HK celebs like Jackie Chan & Bruce Lee
- great location to watch the Light show(around 730 or 8pm in the evening, I cant remember)
4. Ladies Market @ Tung Choi Street (for bargains)
- open from 1pm till 10pm (might be even later!)
- how to get there: Mongkok Station on Kowloon Island
- one of the busiest places in Hong Kong so look out for pickpockets!
- An outdoor flea market, where you can find really good bargains on virtually anything (despite the name, they dont just sell things for the ladies only!)
- Haggling is a must, most of them dont speak really good english but they'll have a calculator to punch in the price. Paying about 50-60% of their asking price is reasonable enough. Walk away if you dont like their price! There's always another store down the road selling similar stuff.
- Resist the temptation to buy fakes (they have lots of fakes there!)! If you do want to, dont be surprised if they take you to a dodgy apartment where the stuff is kept as its illegal to sell them on the streets in Hong Kong.
- Check your change. Some unscrupulous store owner tried giving me old notes once which were no longer in tender!
5. Times Square
- how to get there: Causeway Bay station
- another shopping centre modeled after Times Square in NY. 9 storeys worth of shopping!!!
6. Felix Bar @ the Peninsular Hotel (25th Floor)
- drinks will be more expensive that the usual bars but again, the view is stunning.
- Definitely need a reservation for either dinner or drinks
- Dress for the occasion
7. Lan Kwai Fong (a whole street of pubs and restaurants)
- Again, nearest tube station is the Central Station which is about 5-10 minutes walk from LKF.
8. Dim sum (authentic local food!):- dont have the exact addresses but these are rather well known in HKG. Your concierge should be able to help you find the exact addresses and directions on how to get there.
- Fook Lam Moon in Johnston Road, Wanchai
- Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Soup - King Kwong Street in Happy Valley. Their food is so good that there's always a queue during lunch. Best go go around 2pm
2 weeks in Hong Kong is quite a long time but it really gives you a feel of what it has to offer. You may also wish to take a day trip across the border to Shenzhen or visit Macau - which really is another world altogether. Or spend a day lazying on Repulse Bay beach, visit the big buddha in Lantau Island, Ocean Park, or HKG Disneyland (I personally wouldnt) but there are lots to do! Do your research based on your interests.
Have fun!