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Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts

Getting Around Hong Kong With Public Transport

 
Hong Kong is famous for its public transport system which is one of the most efficient, diverse and reasonably priced in the world.

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (tel: 2881 8888; www.mtr.com.hk) runs eight underground metro lines and the Airport Express link. Fares are metered by the number of stations, with only limited zoning. Visit the information counter at any MTR station and ask for the best travel pass to suit your needs, or, if you’re planning a longer stay, ask for an Octopus Card (tel: 2266 2222; www.octopuscards.com) - a smart card that automatically deducts the cost of the journey when it is placed on a sensor.

Bus routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbour routes via the tunnel. Exact change is required for passengers not in possession of an Octopus Card.

Locals use the fast and furious green and red minibuses but unless you know Hong Kong well, the routes can be confusing.

Trams only operate on Hong Kong Island. They are frequent and cheap and passengers pay with an Octopus Card or exact change as they exit. The Peak Tram, on the Island, is a funicular tramway to the upper terminus on Victoria Peak.

The Star Ferry (tel: 2367 7065; www.starferry.com.hk) ride across Hong Kong harbour is a tourist ‘must do', as well as the cheapest way to make the crossing. Passengers pay with an Octopus Card or exact change as they enter. Star Ferry terminals are in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai and Hung Hom. Other ferry services also connect with the outlying islands of the territory and other destinations.

Taxis: 
Taxis are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon and are extremely cheap - most journeys cost less than HK$30. There are taxi ranks in busy locations but taxis can be flagged down anywhere on the street. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green ones serve the New Territories and blue ones Lantau Island. Taxis with a rectangular red plaque on their dashboard are generally cross-harbour taxis meaning passengers only pay a one-way toll for using the cross-harbour tunnel. Some journeys incur extra tolls, and charges are also sometimes added when carrying luggage. It is common for passengers to round up the fare to the nearest dollar, although this is not mandatory.

Many drivers speak a little English but visitors would be advised to carry a map or have their destination written in Chinese characters. It is also wise for passengers to ask if the taxi is a Hong Kong or Kowloon taxi when boarding, especially late at night - drivers are happiest sticking to their own side of the water.

Driving: 
Driving in Hong Kong is best left to professionals. With one of the best public transport systems in the world and ubiquitous taxis, there is no need for visitors to risk going behind the wheel. Rates on cars are strong deterrents, with a 100% vehicle import tax and petrol tax, as well as hefty insurance and vehicle registration fees.

Major car parks in Central are at the City Hall, Murray Road, and the Airport Express Terminal, Man Cheung Road. In Causeway Bay, the World Trade Centre is the main parking point, while in Kowloon, parking can be found at The Sun Arcade, Kowloon Park Drive in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Car hire: 
Car hire companies usually require drivers to be over 25 years and to pay a large refundable deposit. A valid driving licence from the country of residence or an International Driving Permit is required, as well as third-party insurance. Major operators include Avis (tel: 2890 6988; www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: 2525 1313; www.hertz.com).

Bicycle hire:
Despite the heavy traffic and appalling air quality, there are places in Hong Kong to enjoy cycling - out on the islands or in the New Territories. Explore the backstreets of Lamma, Cheung Chau or Peng Chau islands and you’re likely to find someone willing to rent a bike at a reasonable price. There are plenty of shops offering bicycle hire around Tai Po MTR station. Bicycles are also available for hire from the Friendly Bicycle shop in Mui Wo (tel: 2984 2278) or Shun Lee Bicycle Company in Sha Tin (tel: 2695 7195). For mountain bike gear, contact Flying Ball Bicycle Company (tel: 2381 3661; www.flyingball.com) in Cheung Sha Wan.

Hong Kong Hotels

 
Hotels in Hong Kong are as popular with locals as they are with tourists. A lot of the best restaurants, bars and spas can be found in the city’s top hotels which mostly overlook Victoria Harbour. Many upscale hotels in Hong Kong also serve delicious afternoon tea sets that are well worth trying. Boutique hotels are only just starting to take off so can be more difficult to find, likewise the high price of rent means there are only a few cheap hotels in Hong Kong, usually in central locations.

The Hong Kong hotels below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Luxury (over HK$3,000)
Moderate (HK$1,000 to HK$3,000)
Cheap (up to HK$1,000)
These Hong Kong hotel prices are for a double room per night, including breakfast but excluding service charge and tax, unless otherwise specified.

All hotel bills in Hong Kong are subject to 10% service charge.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Price: Luxury

This 399-room ϋber-luxury hotel is one of the finest hotels in Hong Kong. Magnificent harbour views, exquisite service, a suite of fine restaurants and bars, and a spacious spa with 17 treatment rooms are combined with a superb location on the Hong Kong waterfront, with easy access to the Star Ferry terminal, the Central bar and restaurant districts and the IFC Shopping mall.
Address: 8 Finance Street, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3196 8888.
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong

InterContinental Hong Kong
Price: Luxury

A 5-star Hong Kong landmark right on the Kowloon waterfront, the InterContinental offers a magnificent prospect of the skyscrapers of Central, both from many of its 495 rooms and lobby bar. The view over the rim of its outdoor Jacuzzi is just as fabulous and makes for a memorable evening dip. Conference and business facilities are top-notch and the day spa was built according to the principles of feng shui. Its top-grade eateries include SPOON by Alain Ducasse and NOBU.
Address: 18 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2721 1211.
http://hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Price: Luxury

The Mandarin Oriental, which overlooks Victoria Harbour from its perch right in the middle of Central, is a Hong Kong institution. The 501 rooms are known for their elegance, and its tearooms and buffets also enjoy a loyal following. The lobby has style to spare with a somewhat recherché art deco flavour. Top-class dining options include Pierre and Mandarin Grill, while favourite bars include the M Bar and Captain's Bar.
Address: 5 Connaught Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2522 0111.
www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

The Peninsula Hong Kong
Price: Luxury

The jewel in the crown of Kowloon's waterfront hospitality palaces, The Peninsula is a colonial foundation dating from 1928, which has kept its supremacy well into the post-colonial era. Comprehensive, modern facilities embellish period grandeur, while the tearooms at street level are magnificent. This Hong Kong hotel affords magnificent harbour views from some suites; it also boasts top-class restaurants, including Gaddi's and Philippe Starck's celebrated Felix, and even offers city helicopter trips from its rooftop helipad.
Address: Salisbury Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2920 2888.
www.peninsula.com/hongkong

JIA
Price: Moderate

Meaning 'home' in Mandarin, JIA is the first boutique hotel in Asia designed by Philippe Starck. This Hong Kong hotel has 54 chic studios and suites including two luxurious duplex penthouses, all of which include fully equipped kitchens. Guests are also entitled to loads of exclusive perks such as entry to hip private members clubs, complementary champagne in selected bars and a free harbour cruise.
Address: 1-5 Irving Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3196 9000.
www.jiahongkong.com

The Luxe ManorPrice: Moderate

The interior of this quirky Hong Kong boutique hotel is a charming mix of grand old architecture fused with the surrealist art and design of the early 20th century. There are 153 rooms, each with marble bathrooms, and six themed suites ranging from Nordic to Safari. For Italian fine dining, head to the hotel's restaurant, Aspasia, or sip a cocktail in Dada bar. Alternatively step out onto Knutsford Terrace, a buzzing alfresco strip.
Address: 39 Kimberley Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3763 8880.
www.theluxemanor.com

W Hong KongPrice: Moderate

This design-led Hong Kong hotel offers incredible skyline views from all 393 rooms. The interior draws on inspiration from the environment with tree-like columns in the main entrance, and the rooftop swimming pool on the 76th floor is one of the highest in the world. If you want to kickback and relax before dining at one of the hotel's top restaurants, then head to the plush lounge area called the Living Room.
Address: 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3717 2222.
www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html

Bishop Lei International HousePrice: Cheap

This 3-star hotel and hostel, located on Robinson Road, is owned and run by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. The rooms are small but comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms, and many offer splendid panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the towers of Central. Décor is simple but clean and well maintained. The hotel offers a swimming pool and basic business facilities. There is a free shuttle bus service to Wan Chai and the Airport Express station in Central.
Address: 4 Robinson Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2868 0828.
www.bishopleihtl.com.hk

Butterfly On Morrison
Price: Cheap

Located between Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, this new Hong Honk boutique hotel is only a short taxi ride to Central or a quick walk to the nearest MTR station or tram stops. The modern European-style guest rooms are comfortable and great value considering its central location. There are no breakfast facilities in the hotel but there are plenty of great cafés nearby. For dinner, try the Chinese restaurant on the first floor.
Address: 39 Morrison Hill Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3962 8333.
www.butterflyhk.com

Hong Kong, Kowloon Travel Guide

 
Hong Kong is a destination imbued with a remarkable mix of Eastern and Western influences. Since the handover from British colonial to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, it has become far more Chinese than ever before, but for tourists the joy of visiting lies in being wedged between two diverse cultures simultaneously.

Hong Kong Island with its financial hub is the energetic heartbeat of the region, where cloud-tickling skyscrapers, neon extravagance, fine dining, high-end shopping and world-class hotels are all part of the landscape.

Get down to street level however and the laneways, wet markets and traditional Chinese haunts are a reminder that beyond the city lies a working class populace still making ends meet the old way - and often the hard way.

Hong Kong has also become far more Chinese than ever before, with many expats departed and a Beijing-facing government presiding over the former British colony.

Hong Kong Island itself, with its glistening array of skyscrapers clustered around the spectacular harbour, is the core of the old imperial possession, with Kowloon just across the harbour forming the other half of the main conurbation.

Further north are the New Territories, leased from China in 1898, which form a slightly more rural hinterland. And around this main focus are the large islands of Lamma and Lantau and the smaller, quieter, Outlying Islands that complete the patchwork.
Bustling, glitzy and brash, Hong Kong has long been a major cruise destination.

Sightseeing:
Hong Kong is one of the most riveting and unexpectedly beautiful spectacles on earth. The harbour view reflects the architectural boom of the 1980s and 1990s;a mixture of Manhattan and San Francisco, with added shipping bustle.

At night it just gets better; the view from the Peak of Hong Kong's glittering lights is unforgettable; almost as dazzling are the towers of Central seen from the lovers' walk of Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. This tax-free, bustling port and commercial centre has many attractions worth visiting.

Highlights
• Ocean Park
• Miu Fat Monastery
• Fishing villages such as Aberdeen
• Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island
• Night markets
• Victoria Peak (The Peak)
• Hong Kong Museum of History
• Ngong Ping 360 cable car
• Disneyland Hong Kong

Tourist information:
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Centre
Causeway Bay MTR Station (exit F), Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Tel: +852 2508 1234.
Website: www.discoverhongkong.com

Shopping introduction: 
Whether you're shopping in modern air-conditioned arcades or more traditional street markets, the range of goods available in Hong Kong is vast. Places that display the HKTA sign (Hong Kong Tourist Association) are the best guarantee of satisfaction. Bargaining is practised in the smaller shops and side stalls only.

Restaurants: 
Hong Kong is the home of authentic Chinese food from all the regions of China, which may be sampled as snacks from the many streetside stalls, or in a vast range of restaurants of all levels - eating is very much part of the Southeast Asian culture. Hong Kong specialities include dim Sum (savoury snacks, usually steamed and served in bamboo baskets on trolleys); cha siu bao (barbecue pork bun) and zhian Jing (a rice wine served hot like sake).

When to go: 
In winter and early spring, the climate can be mild and fresh but, in May, the ever-present humidity skyrockets and summer is both hot and frequently wet. Typhoons hit during summer and early autumn and ferocious rains fall intermittently.

Hong Kong Tours

 
Boat tours
Hong Kong Watertours provides a variety of harbour and island tours of Hong Kong, while Star Ferry provides daytime and evening ferry tours. Harbour tours take around two to three hours. Hong Kong Watertours has pick-up points throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, although the tours sail from Pier 9 in Central on Hong Kong side or the Kowloon Public Pier on Kowloon Side. The Star Ferry tours sail from the Star Ferry terminals on either side of the harbour. For a nostalgic sailing on a converted junk boat, the Aqua Luna offers a semblance of Hong Kong past.
Telephone: 2926 3868 ; 2118 6201 ; 2116 8821.
Website:
www.watertours.com.hk
www.starferry.com.hk
www.aqualuna.com.hk

Bus tours
Numerous themed bus tours are listed on the Hong Kong Tourism Board website, including Hong Kong by night, touring Hong Kong's outlying islands and culture and heritage tours. Big Bus Tours also operate open-top sightseeing bus tours of Hong Kong with a multilingual audio system. Every ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at your leisure, day or night.
Telephone: 2508 1234 ; 2723 2108.
Website:
www.discoverhongkong.com
www.bigbustours.com

Helicopter tours
Helicopter trips are available for those wanting to discover the city skyline from above. Contact Sky Shuttle for further information.
Telephone: 2108 9898.
Website: www.skyshuttlehk.com

Walking tours
The Hong Kong Tourism Board runs ‘Heritage and Architectural Walks' in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and varied other themed walks/hikes for the outlying islands. The walks take from two to four hours. Other operators such as Splendid Tours and Travel also run tours. Walkers wishing to venture further afield have plenty of well-trodden routes for penetrating the rural New Territories and backwoods of Hong Kong Island, such as the 100km (60-mile) MacLehose Trail, the 50km (30-mile) Hong Kong Trail or the 3.5km (2.2-mile) Peak Trail.
Telephone: 2508 1234 ; 2316 2151.
Website:
www.discoverhongkong.com
www.splendidtours.com

Hong Kong Nightlife: Hong Kong Live Music

 
Backstage 
Gothic meets retro meets art deco at this lavish venue in Hong Kong which not only hosts an eclectic range of live music from jazz and folk to local pop and rock, but also serves a menu of European fusion dishes so you can eat while you watch.

1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2167-8985.
Website: www.backstagelive.hk

Makumba Africa Bar
Soak up the African vibes at this friendly bar and lounge which has live bands and DJs most nights. Try a glass of Ti Punch - a tingling explosion of rum, brown sugar cane and lime - and it won’t be long until you're up and dancing to everything from Afro jazz to Zouk.

G/F, Garley Building, 48 Peel Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2522 0544.
Website: www.makumba.com.hk

The Cavern
If you want to bounce around to nostalgic songs from your teenage years, then this is the place for you. It showcases great cover bands belting out fun versions of everything from Bon Jovi and Bob Markey to Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga in a fabulously retro-chic update of Liverpool's legendary club.

LG/F, Lan Kwai Fong Tower, 55 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2121 8969.
Website: www.igors.com

Hong Kong Shopping Tours

 
Once famous for bargain electronics and imitation brand names, Hong Kong is no longer as cheap as it once was and prices are now closer to European or American averages if not higher.

Key areas: 
Shops selling Chinese art objects and souvenirs cluster around the escalator up to the Mid-Levels and nearby Cat Street. More expensive antiques, art and collectibles can be found along Hollywood Road. However, any bargain hunter also planning to visit mainland China should do their research in Hong Kong but save their purchases for north of the border.

Within Hong Kong, Shanghai Tang, right by Central MTR station, is probably the best venue for quality Chinese goods - silks, fabrics, ornaments and furniture. There are computer superstores in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Mong Kok, full of tiny booths selling the silicon equivalent of Hong Kong tailoring and teenage hustlers pushing pirated software.

Markets: 
Although famous for its designer malls, Hong Kong also has some great markets that provide a cheaper and more vibrant alternative to the luxury shopping experience. For the best bargains, head to the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, Kowloon. It’s open from noon until 2300 and sells everything from souvenir chopsticks to T-shirts and sunglasses.

For the best atmosphere, check out the Temple Street Night Market where you can haggle over handbags, listen to wannabe Chinese opera stars or have your fortune told. The market starts coming alive around 1800 and stays open until midnight. Get the MTR to Jordan and leave at exit A. For gifts or collectibles, the Jade Market, at the junction of Kansan and Battery streets in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, is also a good option.

Shopping centres: 
Mall rats in Hong Kong have plenty of warrens to choose from. The swishest of the lot, IFC Mall in Central, has everything from Swarovski crystal to McDonald's burgers. Pacific Place, in Admiralty, has three floors of almost entirely luxury brands, while The Landmark and Prince's Building vie for the custom of chic Hong Kongers. Harbour City, near the Star Ferry terminal in Kowloon, is jam-packed with designer brands and boasts a flashy Lane Crawford, HK's own upmarket department store. Causeway Bay has the big Japanese department store, Sogo, and Hong Kong-born homeware store G.O.D as well as the towering Times Square.

Opening hours: 
Standard opening hours for shopping in Hong Kong are 0930-1900 daily and later in many cases.

Tax information: 
Hong Kongers bridle at the very idea of a sales tax, so visitors can forget about hoarding their receipts until the government finally decides to plug its deficit this way.

Excursions From Hong Kong

 
Lamma Island
Hong Kong's third largest island, Lamma, is a laid-back green oasis popular with chilled-out expats. Its scenery is beautiful and its beaches are pretty. Some great pubs, bars and restaurants complement these. Best of all, the island has no cars. The main residential village, Yung Shue Wan, is the main ferry terminus, while Sok Kwu Wan, the second largest village, specialises in open-air seafood restaurants. Hung Shing Ye is the largest beach, while Lo So Shing is arguably the nicest. Walks between the two main villages are popular, while more extreme hikers like to tackle Mount Stenhouse which is a more strenuous climb. Lamma is situated west of Hong Kong Island and ferries to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island depart from Central (ferry terminal, outlying islands pier 4).
Website: www.lamma.com.hk

Lantau Island 
Home to Chek Lap Kok Airport, Ngong Ping 360 and Disneyland Hong Kong, Lantau Island is situated 45km (28 miles) from Central Hong Kong and more than half of its territory is designated country parkland. Walking tours and hikes are popular here, although the principal attractions are the Po Lin Big Buddha, claimed to be the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha effigy, at 26.4m (85ft) tall, and the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery, Hong Kong's largest. There is a tea garden nearby and the beaches and waterside restaurants along the southern shore are also idyllic. To get to Lantau Island, visitors should take either the MTR Airport Railway link to Tung Chung, followed by bus 23 to Po Lin, or the ferry to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) from Central, followed by bus 2.
Website: www.discoverhongkong.com/uk/attractions/outlying-giant-buddha.html


Macau 
Situated on the southeastern coast of China, about one hour from Hong Kong by ferry, Macau is changing at a furious pace. Long recognised for its relaxed blending of Mediterranean and Cantonese rhythms of life and spicy cuisine, the ante has been upped several gears in recent years. Though much of its fine colonial architecture has been carefully restored and repainted, several new tourism attractions have been added, including several mega-casinos and luxury hotels, the gigantic Fisherman's Wharf theme park and a harbour side dining/drinking district.

Despite its head-first surge into the future, Macau's colonial legacy is still worth seeking out. It is impossible not to be impressed by the classically Latin, pastel-shaded layout of Senate Square or the churches of St Augustine's and St Dominic's, as well as the most famous of all, the facade of St Paul's Cathedral - once the finest Catholic church east of Rome but destroyed by fire in 1835. The Monte Fort, which still has its cannons (and now houses the fascinating Museum of Macau), was built by the Jesuits, just after 1600. Macau can be reached by jetfoil or jet boat from Macau ferry terminal, near Shun Tak Centre, Central or from China Hong Kong City terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO)
12/F, Edificio Hot-Line, Alameda Dr Carlos d'Assumpçao 335-341, Macau
Website: www.macautourism.gov.mo


Stanley Market 
Stanley is a small and trendy seaside settlement on the south side of Hong Kong Island, with some fine beaches and waterfront restaurants. Visitors flock to Stanley Market (open daily 1030-1830), a covered area full of stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, sporting goods, arts and crafts. Other attractions include Tin Hau Temple, Kuan Yin Temple, St Stephen's Beach, the Old Stanley Fort and fine walks along Wong Ma Kok Road. Stanley Market can be reached by buses 6, 6A, 6X or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Terminal, Central, or by green minibus 16M from Chai Wan MTR.
Website: www.hk-stanley-market.com

Hong Kong Nightlife: Hong Kong Clubs

 
Dragon-i
Dragon-i is the hangout of the stars in Hong Kong; socially exclusive but surprisingly ordinary.

Upper Ground Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 3110 1222.
Website: www.dragon-i.com.hk

Drop
Drop, just down the hill under the escalator in Central, is another late-night haven in Hong Kong. Wednesday is 'Manicure & Moet' night for the ladies. Remember to reserve in advance.

39-43 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2543 8856.
Website: www.drophk.com

Solas
In the early part of the evening Solas is more of a trendy bar playing top tunes from soul to funky house—but as the night progresses it transforms into a cool club packed with seriously hip and cool Hong Kongers.

The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 3162 3710.
Website: www.solas.com.hk

Hong Kong Tourist Information

 
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Centres
Hong Kong International Airport (Buffer Halls A and B, Arrivals Level, Terminal 1)
Lo Wu (Arrival Hall, 2/F, Lo Wu Terminal Building)
Hong Kong Island (Peak Piazza, between the Tower and the Galleria)
Kowloon (Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui)
Tel: 2508 1234.
Website: www.discoverhongkong.com

Passes: 
The HKTB Museum Pass gives unlimited admission to Hong Kong Museum of Art, Heritage Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Museum of Coastal Defence, Museum of History and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum. Valid for one week, the pass is available from HKTB offices and participating museums.

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Situated in the beautiful Hong Kong Park and overlooking the ultramodern mania of Central, Flagstaff House, dating from 1846, is the former residence of the colonial Commander-in-Chief and the oldest surviving colonial building in Hong Kong. It now houses a fine museum of tea ware, seals and other ceramics.
Opening Times: Wed-Mon 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong Park, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2869 0690.
www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Arts/english/tea/tea.html

Happy Valley Races
Wednesday night is horse racing night in Happy Valley where the floodlit racecourse, hemmed in by towering apartment buildings and steep hills, attracts hardcore Chinese gamblers (it's the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong) and boozing expats alike. Hong Kongers pack the Happy Valley tram after work for this social event and tourists tag along for the buzz. Order a beverage from the beer marquee and stand along the barrier as the horses come up the home straight or take in the view from the amphitheatre-esque grandstand.
Opening Times: Wed and Sat-Sun from 1930 (Sep-June).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 2 Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2895 1523.
www.happyvalleyracecourse.com

Hong Kong Museum of History 
It is somehow fitting that this go-ahead territory has its history commemorated in a dazzling new building. Opened in late 2001, the museum building, situated next to the Hong Kong Science Museum in Kowloon, houses ‘The Hong Kong Story’ permanent exhibition covering the region's history from prehistoric times, including some spectacular period sets. There are traditional costumes, a huge collection of period photographs, replicas of old village houses and an entire street, circa 1881, with its own Chinese medicine store. There are also numerous temporary exhibitions.
Opening Times: Mon and Wed-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1000-1900.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2724 9042.
http://hk.history.museum

Ngong Ping 360
The 5.7km (3.5 miles) Ngong Ping 360 cable car is one of Hong Kong’s top sightseeing attractions, travelling between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, offers stunning views across North Lantau Country Park, Tung Ching Bay and the giant Tian Tan Bhudda statue. Part of the development is Ngong Ping Village, a small theme park incorporating family-friendly attractions such as Walking with Buddha, the Monkey's Tale Theatre, the Ngong Ping Tea House and several dining, retail and entertainment outlets.
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1830.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 11 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3666 0606.
www.np360.com.hk

Star Ferry
The green and white tub-shaped ferries have been a familiar sight around Hong Kong since the 1920s and are a much-cherished symbol of the city. Far more important, however, is the fact that their decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes.
Opening Times: Daily 0630-2330 depending on service.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Hung Hom Star Ferry terminals, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2367 7065.
www.starferry.com.hk

Statue Square 
Statue Square is a must-see Hong Kong attraction, with its dazzling ensemble of modernist buildings. The HSBC headquarters building - featuring on most Hong Kong dollar notes and designed by Norman Foster - forms the south side of the square, and just to the east of it is I M Pei's Bank of China Tower, where visitors can ascend to the 43rd of the building's 72 floors for a particularly stunning view of Central. Less distinguished but equally prominent buildings jostle around them, towering over the colonial remnant of St John's Cathedral. In more antiquated contrast, the Legislative Council Building, formerly the Supreme Court, on the east side of the square, houses Hong Kong's partly elected assembly. Standing beside the Star Ferry terminal is the soaring 88-storey International Finance Centre (known as 'Two IFC' - One IFC building is older and much smaller), home to a Four Seasons hotel and the city's showpiece shopping mall, as well as a cinema and a fine portfolio of cafés, restaurants and bars.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Statue Square, Central, Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Offering another great view of the spectacular Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island waterfront, this esplanade is where Hong Kong couples go in the evenings for a romantic stroll. However, day or night, the view is superb. The colonial-era Clock Tower at the western end of the promenade, by the Star Ferry piers, makes an attractive historic terminus. Shoppers should head to Harbour City shopping mall, plus watch out for the huge visiting cruise liners which moor up in front of Ocean Terminal next door. Stretching along the promenade, the Avenue of Stars features hand prints and commemorative plaques honouring the greatest stars of Hong Kong's celebrated film industry.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Star Ferry Terminal to Hung Hom, Hong Kong

Victoria Peak (The Peak)
A miniature hill station in colonial times, Victoria Peak is stratospheric in its social exclusiveness and its rents. Groundlings can still visit, however, ascending by the vertiginous Peak Tram - a funicular in use since 1888, which feels more like a Victorian-era Space Shuttle, or by taxi or bus. Atop the hill is the Peak Tower viewing platform, as well as the revamped Peak Galleria shopping arcade and several restaurants - dinner at Café Deco is a must-do Hong Kong experience: the view down into central Hong Kong and across the water to Kowloon defies description, day or night. Hikers can scale the real peak, some 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus, or take the leisurely Peak Circuit walk with vistas over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the outlying islands. Both are signposted.
Opening Times: Daily 0700-midnight (Peak Tram).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Garden Road (Lower Peak Tram Terminus), Hong Kong
Telephone: 2522 0922.
www.thepeak.com.hk

Wong Tai Sin Temple
An ornate traditional temple in the heart of Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin Temple combines Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist traditions. Wong Tai Sin himself was a Zhejiang shepherd/alchemist who supposedly concocted a marvellous cure-all. His statue in the main building was brought from the mainland in 1915. The building is spectacularly colourful with its red pillars, golden ceiling and decorated latticework, although not particularly distinguished. Far more fascinating are the fortune-tellers in their arcade of booths and the throngs of worshippers. This is also Hong Kong's number one temple for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Opening Times: Daily 0700-1730.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2327 8141.

Hong Kong Nightlife: Hong Kong Bars

 
Agave
Agave serves a marvellous selection of tequilas and margaritas - a staple for the hot summer months. This open-fronted, popular bar has no less than 150 brands of 100% agave tequila on offer, as well as 30 different margaritas and a range of tasty Mexican food, from tacos and fajitas to burritos.

33 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2521 2010.

Aqua Spirit
Over in Kowloon, the most upscale bars are located high in the sky. Stylish, hip and classy, Aqua Spirit boasts the best panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and a great cocktail menu.

30th Floor, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tel: 3427 2288.
Website: www.aqua.com.hk

Salon De Ning 
Designed to look like the fictional residences of a 1930s Shanghai celebutante called Madam Ning, this chic and cosy bar has themed rooms such as a rustic Swiss chalet called the Ski Room and a Moroccan alcove called L’Africa. Live bands and DJs play jazz and lounge tunes, plus there is a heavenly cocktail menu which includes the signature Ning Sling.

B/F, The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tel: 2315 3355.
Website: www.salondening.com

Hong Kong Restaurants

 
Hong Kongers are famous for their love of food therefore it’s no surprise the city has hundreds of fantastic restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

The Hong Kong restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over HK$500)
Moderate (HK$250 to HK$500)
Cheap (up to HK$250)
These Hong Kong restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal including a glass of house wine or the cheapest equivalent; they do not include service charge or tip.

A 10% service charge is almost always added to restaurant bills in Hong Kong. In theory, this is discretionary, although in practice, it is better not to challenge it, except in cases of exceptionally poor service.

Lung King Heen
Price: Expensive

You can’t visit Hong Kong without trying some delicious Cantonese dishes and there is no better place to find them than this three-Michelin-star restaurant. There are more than 20 seafood dishes on the menu including popular local favourite wok-fried prawns with dried chilli and shallots, and shrimp and scallop dumplings with XO sauce. Chinese antiques, red columns and dark-wood panelling create the perfect ambience for a Hong Kong feast.
Address: 4/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3196 8880.
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong

Good Luck Thai
Price: Cheap

Wing Wah Lane has a charmingly chaotic atmosphere and is packed with cheap and cheerful alfresco Thai and Malaysian restaurants. One of the most popular is Good Luck Thai which is the perfect restaurant in Hong Kong to eat green curries or pad thai before heading to Central's party zone, ‘Lan Kwai Fong’, which is only minutes away. It’s open until 0200 so it’s also great for a late-night snack.
Address: 13 Wing Wah Lane, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2877 2971.

Maxim's Palace City Hall
Price: Moderate

It would be remiss to leave Hong Kong without having tasted some traditional Cantonese dim sum, eaten locally for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The queue for seats might be a little tedious when tummies are grumbling but the wait is worthwhile given the quality of the dumplings that are plonked on the table. Try the pork steam buns and shrimp dumplings with chilli.
Address: 2/F, City Hall, 5-7 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2521 1303.

Nha Trang
Price: Cheap

It’s best to book a table in advance at this cheap yet chic Vietnamese restaurant because there is usually a long queue outside. The big attraction is the deliciously fragrant bowls of pho but the ‘specials’ menu is also packed with tasty delights such as barbecued pork and herb patties, which come skewered on a lemongrass stalk. The service is fast and friendly, and the dishes are great value.
Address: 88-90 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2581 9992.
www.nhatrang.com.hk

Nomads
Price: Cheap

With a cross-cultural décor and relaxed atmosphere, Nomads is a Mongolian barbecue with a central area for diners to select their own ingredients and fill their bowls with imaginative personalised combinations before handing it over to experienced chefs to be cooked. Choices range from most varieties of sliced meats, fish or vegetables, with a range of sauces from Japanese teriyaki to Thai spice. One of the best budget restaurants in Hong Kong.
Address: 55 Kimberley Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2722 0733.
www.igors.com

The Stoep
Price: Moderate

Anyone who makes it out to the lovely seaside village of Cheung Sha on the south side of Lantau Island will certainly not want to leave after sampling the South African beachfront fare, such as mixed barbecue or kebabs. The big beachside verandah, large enough to seat 120 people, is the perfect antidote to the insane bustle of Central.
Address: 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2980 2699.
www.thestoep.com

Gaddi's
Price: Expensive

Since its opening in 1953, The Peninsula hotel's signature restaurant has served gourmet French cuisine and fine wine to an always appreciative audience. The dining area is spacious with chandeliers and blue and gold décor adding an air of elegance. Live music and candlelight also make it perfect for romantic meals. Try the three-course lunch menu or the five-course dinner menu. Book in advance for dinner and men must wear jackets.
Address: Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2315 3171.
www.peninsula.com/hongkong

Hutong
Price: Expensive

Sit beneath beautiful decorative birdcages and admire the spectacular views over Hong Kong at this stylish contemporary Northern Chinese restaurant. Designed to resemble an upscale Chinese dining hall, this Hong Kong restaurant is decorated with charming antique Asian furniture. Popular signature dishes include lobster fried with red pepper and sweet chilli sauce and Kung Po-style spicy fish fillet with cashew nuts. It’s also known as a hang out for local celebrities.
Address: 28/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone: 3428 8342.
www.aqua.com.hk

Cafe Deco
Price: Moderate

On a clear night, Cafe Deco has some of the city’s most breathtaking views - the panorama of the harbour from Hong Kong Island's central peak. The cuisine is a hugely diverse array of East and West, from perfect steaks to succulent sashimi and sizzling tandoori platters. The art deco interior is a gem. What is remarkable is the consistent quality and excellent value, making it one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong.
Address: Level 1-2, 118 Peak Road, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2849 5111.
www.cafedecogroup.com

Hong Kong Travel Guide

 
Flying to Hong Kong

Airlines offering direct flights to Hong Kong from the UK include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantics, Qantas and Air New Zealand. Flights to Hong Kong from the UK take around 13 hours. You can bag cheap flights to Hong Kong if you book early but airfares tend to rocket and seats are tricky to find in the fortnight before Christmas and Chinese New Year. The same applies to the end of March when the Rugby Sevens are held in Hong Kong.

Flight times: 
From London - 13 hours; New York - 16 hours (due to non-stop New York-Hong Kong services); Los Angeles - 14 hours 35 minutes; Toronto - 15 hours 15 minutes; Sydney - 9 hours and 30 minutes.

Travel by road

Summary:
Hong Kong traffic drives on the left and the minimum age for driving is 18 years. Routes are designated by a number (such as Route 1, the main expressway route to China, or Route 3, from Hong Kong Island). Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas or 100kph (60mph) elsewhere. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although not legally required. A valid national driving licence is accepted for up to 12 months. Third-party insurance is compulsory.

The Hong Kong Automobile Association - HKAA (tel: 3583 3600; www.hkaa.com.hk) can provide more information.

Emergency breakdown service:
HKAA (tel: 3583 3628).

Routes:
The most accessible places for one to drive to are Lantau Island (for the airport) and Guangzhou. Although there is no theoretical reason not to drive to and from the mainland, few visitors do.

Driving times:
From Lantau Island - 1 hour; Guangzhou - 3 hours.

Coaches:
There are bus and coach links to destinations on the Chinese mainland. Citybus (tel: 2873 0818; www.nwstbus.com.hk) and CTS (tel: 2851 1700; www.ctshk.com) offer coach services to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, departing from the China Hong Kong City Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, and other pick-up points, including the Island Shangri-La Hotel in Admiralty.

Travel by rail

Services:
Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) has merged with MTR as the service provider for railways leading north from Hung Hom, Kowloon. Immigration facilities and baggage inspection are handled before boarding - passengers are asked to arrive 45 minutes before departure.

Hong Kong Station, located in the International Finance Centre Mall, Exchange Square, Central, serves the MTR Airport Express link - passengers wishing to connect to the mainland rail lines must cross to Hung Hom by MTR or ferry.

Local MTR trains run daily to Lo Wu (the last stop before the Chinese border). It is possible to then cross the border to Shenzhen (the first city in China over the border) with a visa for China.

Operators:
MTR (tel: 2881 8888; www.mtr.com.hk) operates a regular service from Hung Hom to Dongguan (Changping) and Guangzhou East. There is also a service from Hung Hom to Foshan and Zhaoqing.

Besides the express service from Kowloon to Guangzhou, there are now direct express links on alternate days to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as sleeper trains and stopping services to many other Chinese cities.

Journey times:
From Hung Hom to Dongguan (Changping) and Guangzhou East - 1 hour 40 minutes; Foshan - 3 hours; Zhaoqing - 4 hours; Shanghai – 20 hours; Beijing – 24 hours.

Travel over water

Summary:
The Port of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, is situated right at the heart of the territory, between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. It is a major global maritime hub, providing a stream of ocean traffic visible from the city centre and is administered by the Marine Department of the Government of Hong Kong (tel: 2542 3711; www.mardep.gov.hk).

Hong Kong harbour's Ocean Terminal (tel: 2118 8951; www.oceanterminal.com.hk), situated on Kowloon, is a major cruise destination, able to accommodate the largest liners. Many of the cruise trips, however, are overnight casino trips to international waters, catering for the Chinese passion for gambling. The Ocean Terminal contains 24-hour customs and immigration services at Western Anchorage, left luggage, banks and bureaux de change. The facilities at the adjacent Harbour City mall are extensive and include banking, duty-free shops, department stores, cafés and restaurants.

Some hydrofoil and ferry services (including daily ferries, every half hour to and from Macau) depart from China Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Others depart from the Shun Tak Centre (tel: 2859 3333) to Macau.

Ferry services:
Many cruise lines serve the Port of Hong Kong. Hovercrafts and jet catamarans link Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with Chinese ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other neighbouring centres, including Shenzhen Airport. Far East Hydrofoil Co Ltd (tel: 2921 6688) is the main provider. There are also a number of ships sailing to major Chinese ports, although these are less frequent. There is a fast hydrofoil link to Macau. Ships berth at the China Hong Kong City Terminal, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Cruise ships of the Star Line also berth at the Ocean Terminal, giving a superb view of central Hong Kong from arriving boats.
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