Hong Kong. 4 days , What to see?
Hong Kong. 4 days , What to see?
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Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,984 posts

220 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
I'm popping up to Hong Kong from Singapore this week, nice little weekend trip away with a friend.

I'll be staying on Hong Kong Island, but have pretty much have 4 days to troll around and see things.

Ideas of what to do, amazing and must-see things welcome!


10JH

2,070 posts

210 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
The obvious, and well worth doing things, are the Peak and the lightshow.

I'd also recommend going up the Bank of China tower (free) as it has a pretty amazing view as well. The night market in Kowloon is interesting, Causeway Bay is good for shopping.

There are lots of little speciality areas that are nice to wander around, such as the Dried fish streets and the bird and flower markets.

It's a great city!

Murph7355

40,418 posts

272 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
In addition to the above, Aberdeen is worth a visit for something a bit different. Repulse Bay and Stanley (and its market) are also worth a look. All of these are on the opposite side of the island to the harbour and are quite different.

Bars - if you like skank, Wanchai is the place to be. Otherwise, Lan Kwai Fong is less insalubrious smile

Eats - I used to go to The American when I went there. Pigeon in lettuce is lovely smile

shakotan

10,815 posts

212 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
Rich_AR said:
I'm popping up to Hong Kong from Singapore this week, nice little weekend trip away with a friend.

I'll be staying on Hong Kong Island, but have pretty much have 4 days to troll around and see things.

Ideas of what to do, amazing and must-see things welcome!
Make sure you use the MTR to get around, puts the Tube to shame!

It's spotlessly clean, and you can even use your mobile phone on there!

shakotan

10,815 posts

212 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
Oh, and best place for the light show is in the Oyster Bar, top floor of the Sheraton Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Go up to the Felix bar at the top of the Peninsula Hotel, make sure you visit the Male toilets, or if you're feeling really flush, have a meal there. You usually have to book quite far in advance though.

If you go to the Peak, make sure you take the tram.

You may be able to get access to the IFC 2 Tower, although when I lived in China it was only Chinese Nationals that were allowed to the top.

The new International Commerce Centre in Kowloon is a taller building, but it's not open yet due to a elevator accident.

Fats25

6,260 posts

245 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
shakotan said:
Rich_AR said:
I'm popping up to Hong Kong from Singapore this week, nice little weekend trip away with a friend.

I'll be staying on Hong Kong Island, but have pretty much have 4 days to troll around and see things.

Ideas of what to do, amazing and must-see things welcome!
Make sure you use the MTR to get around, puts the Tube to shame!

It's spotlessly clean, and you can even use your mobile phone on there!
No disrespect - but coming from Singapore is not going to be that impressive!

As others have said, Wanchai, Kowloon, or Lang Kwai Fon for nightlife. Depends on what you want as to where you go. Head to Lantau, go on the cable car, see the big buddha temple. I quite like Ocean Park, and have been there a couple of times, but the animals are probably not as impressive as Singapore night safari. Is a bit like a bigger (older) version of Sentosa attractions I suppose.

There is a very good museum - I think it is the Hong Kong Heritage Museum - that I found very interesting, especially as a British person.

The one thing you must do though - is head to Macau. Is only an hours boat ride away, you can purchase your Visa as you leave Hong Kong, and it is superb. The Asian Vegas. In fact personally I would spend one of your 4 nights there.

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,984 posts

220 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
Awesome, thanks for the tips!

Yes, I live in Singapore and the MRT here is amazing. But heard good things about the MTR in HK.

Macau, hoping to do that Friday smile


Fats25

6,260 posts

245 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
Rich_AR said:
Awesome, thanks for the tips!

Yes, I live in Singapore and the MRT here is amazing. But heard good things about the MTR in HK.

Macau, hoping to do that Friday smile
You will love Macau. Is your friend you are travelling with a lady friend, or a mate friend?

jesta1865

3,452 posts

225 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
i haven't been for 10 years or so, but Aberdeen harbour is good for the floating restaurants if they are still there.

i had a good meal in the revolving restaurant and the view was spectacular.

have a good mooch round, but also on the mainland is a small fishing village called (iirc) sai kung.

the food is live in boxes and buckets and you choose your stuff, they take it to the restaurant and you tell them how to cook it, garlic prawns, chilli crab and steamed fish is lovely.

have fun. me jealous, never. smile

plenty

5,033 posts

202 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
quotequote all
Return trip on the Star Ferry, making sure to take in the views from the Kowloon side. Best way is to take a walk along the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui starting from the clock tower at the Cultural Centre adjacent to the ferry terminal.

While you're in Tsim Sha Tsui, a stroll up and down Nathan Road will give you a taste of the neon-lit HK of a million photos. Just be sure not to actually buy anything from the electronics shops on Nathan Road - they are notorious bait-and-switch tourist traps.

Ladies' Market and the Jade Market in Yaumatei and Mongkok don't sell anything worth buying, but are quite atmospheric. Stanley Market is also a good bet, and the Stanley promenade has quite a few decent watering holes and restaurants.

For a more bohemian, laid-back HK experience as well as some great Chinese seafood, Lamma Island is easily reachable by boat from the Central ferry pier. Or try Sai Kung - which is a bit of a trek on public transport but a lovely place to while away an afternoon. If beaches are your thing, try Shek O Beach or Big Wave Bay near Shek O - again quite isolated and hard to get to, but the minibus journey down is an experience in itself. If it's not too humid and you enjoy hiking, there are many miles of excellent country trails.

The Peak and Peak Tram are awfully touristy these days but still worth a look on a clear day.

The Western district along Queen's Road West is a taste of an old HK that is rapidly fading away: buildings dating from the 1950s (ancient by local standards) housing rows of shops selling Chinese trinkets. You can combine this with a walk along the many antique shops on Hollywood Road, which when heading east takes you to the Soho and Lan Kwai Fong party districts.

Be sure to spend some time in Causeway Bay - this is the epicentre of HK youth culture and where local people go to shop, eat and socialise. Standing at the zebra crossing outside SOGO on Hennessy Road is not to be missed for its street vibe and sheer nonstop mass of humanity.

Stop at any of the zillion foot massage places (easily identified by pictures of feet outside) to relax and recuperate after a hard day's walking.

If you only have 4 days I personally would save Macau for another trip, unless you specifically want to indulge in the various pursuits that Macau specialises in providing.

mathewb

301 posts

191 months

Monday 10th May 2010
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The Peak is a tourist trap but an enjoyable one.

I recommend going to Lantau island to see the Big Buddha and monastery.

The MTR is absoluely flawless, the most efficient and clean public transport system I've ever been on.

shakotan

10,815 posts

212 months

Monday 10th May 2010
quotequote all
plenty said:
Just be sure not to actually buy anything from the electronics shops on Nathan Road - they are notorious bait-and-switch tourist traps.
When living in China, I bought countless goods from one store on the lower Nathan Rd, and never had a problem. All three of my iPods, couple of cameras and video cameras to name but few.

10JH

2,070 posts

210 months

Monday 10th May 2010
quotequote all
shakotan said:
plenty said:
Just be sure not to actually buy anything from the electronics shops on Nathan Road - they are notorious bait-and-switch tourist traps.
When living in China, I bought countless goods from one store on the lower Nathan Rd, and never had a problem. All three of my iPods, couple of cameras and video cameras to name but few.
Mong Kok computer mall is pretty good for electronics too.