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Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« on: July 12, 2017, 01:31:46 am »
Any recommendations for Hong Kong? I'm going there for 6 days and was wondering if anyone has any tips on places to go, things to see, etc. Thanks :)


  • CJ
  • Super Waygook

    • 463

    • November 15, 2010, 08:11:00 am
    • Down south
Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2017, 07:14:00 am »
Try Trip Advisor or the huge amount of travel blogs out there.

I think a day trip to Macau is a must to see some great Portuguese architecture in an Asian setting.
Most of the action happens at night when the lights are turned on and the humidity falls.
A night walk along Nathan Road is a must, Temple Street Market, the steep tram ride up to Victoria Peak, the bars and cafes on Hong Kong Island around the Soho area, see the symphony of lights from Victoria Harbour in Kowloon.
By day, day trips to Lamma Island, Lantau Island, Cheung Chau Island, hop on a tram and cruise through Hong Kong Island for a few cents, Man Mo temple, bus ride out to Stanley.

Don't forget your Oyster card!


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2017, 07:18:36 am »
Try Dragon's Back for a little hike that gives you an aerial view of the city.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2017, 07:32:37 am »
I second dragon's back. If you will do nothing else, do that. It is absolutely breathtaking and probably the only place you'll get a breeze. I went in January and weather was pretty comfortable but you're gonna fry in July/ August.

Also the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery were worth it too. Really nice and peaceful up there and there's a tour bus that'll take you from one of the subway stops there and back so it's not hard to get to.

Lastly, shopping. I thought most of the night market stuff was junky but there are tons of high end shops. Hong Kong is the place for someone with money, if you aren't willing to spend you might get bored. Luxury shop after jewelry shop after Rolex store etc. etc.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2017, 07:47:23 am »
Chi Lin Nunnery at Diamond Hill Stn.

Most gorgeous building I've ever been in


  • Mtj10
  • Waygookin

    • 21

    • August 27, 2014, 04:22:50 pm
    • Seoul
Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2017, 07:53:39 am »
I also recommend Dragon's Back. It's one of my favorite hikes in Asia and the view from the top is stunning.


  • JamSiManYo
  • Adventurer

    • 63

    • June 21, 2017, 09:53:54 am
    • Gwangju, South Korea
Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2017, 10:38:49 am »
Dragon's Back is great but we couldn't complete the entire thing because the weather was brutal. We cooled off at one of beaches nearby. Highly recommend this. Beware of mosquitos in the bathrooms. It's easy to get lost because you have to walk through some small villages to get to the beach so study your map.

I thought Big Buddha was a little cheesy and more like an amusement park. Pretty reminiscent of JeonJu i.e. one of those "see it once" kind of things. A lot of stray dogs up there too. I would only go if the weather is clear. On the way down, you should take the "crystal" level aerial tram, which has a clear bottom so you can look at any crazy people who are hiking the long way up to Big Buddha. It takes you to some shopping mall. I can't remember but the food there was so so.

LKF if you like drinking/nightlife and want to people-watch other ex-pats make fools of themselves. Hit up the gyro shops. There's an especially legit chicken/gyro and rice shop just a few minutes outside of LKF that is pretty banging. LKF might be full of recent HS grads this time of year, though so stay away from the 7-11s.

For something a little raunchier but very fun, check out the bars in Wan Chai, especially Amazonia. Cover bands from the Philippines play there quite often. However, there are also a lot of "night workers" so if that makes you uncomfortable, then maybe go to LKF instead.

If you're familiar with HK movie stars and have time to kill, check out the Avenue of Stars. I grew up watching TVB and the like, so I enjoyed it.

Find a Din Tai Fong. Some of the best dimsum I've had. It comes out fast and super consistent.

Macau is a nice day trip but it can be hot as balls walking outside. Get egg tarts. Get the barbecued jerkies. Skip the Macanese food. (I thought it was very underwhelming.) If you want to gamble... I hope you know baccarrat or pai gow because that's pretty much all they play there.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2017, 11:50:05 am »
Find a Din Tai Fong. Some of the best dimsum I've had. It comes out fast and super consistent.

 Or maybe save the Din Tai Fong for your next trip to Seoul. :undecided:

I agree, though. it's good dimsum~


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2017, 11:55:13 am »
Eat at Tim Ho Wan, which used to boast it was the cheapest Michellin star restaurant in the world. I think it lost its star recently but it's still worth a visit.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.kr/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d1745792-r114931525-Tim_Ho_Wan_the_Dim_Sum_Specialists-Hong_Kong.html


  • AnthroInKorea28
  • Adventurer

    • 33

    • November 25, 2015, 02:57:30 am
    • ROK
    more
Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2017, 11:57:45 am »
If you like Museums then I would recommend going to the Hong Kong Museum of History. I will take you about two hours to work your way through the museum, but admission is free and its air-conditioned and it has all periods of the city's history. Not a bad activity for that part of the day when the heat is unbearable.
“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”
― Mark Twain


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2017, 12:01:05 pm »
If you are an amusement park fan I would recommend Ocean Park or Disneyland. Ocean Park has more thrill rides whereas Disneyland is very...Disney. Great theming and fun attractions with a little something for everyone.


  • Dorwell
  • Waygookin

    • 22

    • August 29, 2014, 07:58:46 am
Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2017, 12:04:29 pm »
Take a double decker bus to Aberdeen and repulse bay. Relax on the beach and then take a wonder around Aberdeen. It feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle.

Also taking the bus allows for some epic views of the island.

All the other mentions are fine, but they're what everyone does.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2017, 12:11:20 pm »
Do NOT stay in Chunking Mansions.  All the scum and villainy of HK is based there.  You will be harassed and pestered everyday for custom suits, copy watches and all kinds of drugs and prostitution at night.  Stay closer to Mong Kok, it is the best of the night markets. 

If you go to Victoria peak, take the tram up, but the journey down is better on foot.  It takes about an hour, but the views and the houses are worth the time.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2017, 12:18:52 pm »
Quote
If you go to Victoria peak, take the tram up,

Go early or be prepared to queue for a long time.


Re: Any recommendations for Hong Kong?
« Reply #14 on: July 12, 2017, 12:21:12 pm »
Do NOT stay in Chunking Mansions.  All the scum and villainy of HK is based there.  You will be harassed and pestered everyday for custom suits, copy watches and all kinds of drugs and prostitution at night.  Stay closer to Mong Kok, it is the best of the night markets. 

Are you trying to dissuade us or not?