View Full Version : Anybody been to Hong Kong



Jeepnokc
10-01-2016, 08:43 AM
Has anyone been to Hong Kong? What did you do? What are must sees? Thing to be aware of? Would you go again? Friend asked me to go and I have never been to Asia so a little out of my comfort zone.

ctchandler
10-01-2016, 10:35 AM
Jeepnokc,
I hope you get some responses from somebody that has been there in the last few years. I would be interested in hearing what it's like now. I was there long before it was returned to China in 1999. My memories are that it's a great city to visit, a lot of English speaking people and with their ties to England, I assume that's still the case. Everything I have read or seen since makes me think it's even better now than when I was there. Kowloon is nice too. Food is great at both places. I was told the shopping is great (not my thing) by my friends. I did buy a suit from a tailor shop, my only custom made (from scratch) suit in my life. If I was able to travel, it would be on my list.
C. T.

kevinpate
10-01-2016, 01:06 PM
Never been, though my two lads spent a smidge of passing through time there when on a mission trip to the Philippines several years back.

Got me to thinking though and a quick google pass let me stumble onto this. Hope it is useful to you.

http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/play/9-hong-kongs-best-and-worst-tourist-traps-535602/

ctchandler
10-01-2016, 01:40 PM
I also wonder if they still drive on the "wrong" (left) side of the road. I suspect they do since any change like that is a major news event all over the world. Seems like Sweden made that change in the 60's and it was a mess for a few days.
C. T.
p.s. Just googled it and they do drive on the left side of the road, which is important to know if you plan on renting a car. I didn't find it that difficult in Great Britain and Ireland, but Hong Kong might be another story. There were a lot of cars on the road.

Uptowner
10-01-2016, 02:57 PM
Not since the nineties. I'm told it's very different. And very much the same. Whatever that means. It was a total free for all back then. Amazing place.

ljbab728
10-01-2016, 07:30 PM
If you happen to know anyone who works at the Hobby Lobby headquaters, that could be a good source of information. They have employees traveling there all of the time and they have a branch office there.

gamecock
10-02-2016, 12:31 PM
Has anyone been to Hong Kong? What did you do? What are must sees? Thing to be aware of? Would you go again? Friend asked me to go and I have never been to Asia so a little out of my comfort zone.

I spend a few weeks in Hong Kong every summer and really enjoy it. It's a great way to see part of China, without actually going to mainland China. It is much easier to navigate because everything is in both Chinese and English, and many residents speak some English. I would recommend the normal sights that you will find in a "Top 10" guide . . . the Peak, Big Buddha, Stanley Market, etc. But I would also recommend that you try to go to afternoon tea on the 103rd floor of the Ritz Carlton where you will get spectacular views of the Hong Kong skyline (a bit pricey, but worth it). I would also recommend taking a day trip to Macau (about 45 minutes away by speed boat). It has an old section that looks like central Lisbon (it was a Portuguese colony), and a new, growing area that looks like a new Las Vegas strip, with many of the same hotels/casinos but more spectacularly done.

Jeepnokc
10-02-2016, 01:02 PM
I spend a few weeks in Hong Kong every summer and really enjoy it. It's a great way to see part of China, without actually going to mainland China. It is much easier to navigate because everything is in both Chinese and English, and many residents speak some English. I would recommend the normal sights that you will find in a "Top 10" guide . . . the Peak, Big Buddha, Stanley Market, etc. But I would also recommend that you try to go to afternoon tea on the 103rd floor of the Ritz Carlton where you will get spectacular views of the Hong Kong skyline (a bit pricey, but worth it). I would also recommend taking a day trip to Macau (about 45 minutes away by speed boat). It has an old section that looks like central Lisbon (it was a Portuguese colony), and a new, growing area that looks like a new Las Vegas strip, with many of the same hotels/casinos but more spectacularly done.

We have a day trip to Macau scheduled. The afternoon tea sounds great.

gamecock
10-02-2016, 01:32 PM
We have a day trip to Macau scheduled. The afternoon tea sounds great.

You should probably go ahead and make reservations for tea at the Ritz if that interests you.

Jeepnokc
10-02-2016, 01:47 PM
You should probably go ahead and make reservations for tea at the Ritz if that interests you.

Good idea. Thanks

Bellaboo
10-02-2016, 04:14 PM
John,

The Mrs and I just spent a week there in March on vacation. I sent you a PM with my phone number. It's a fabulous place.

Rover
10-02-2016, 08:46 PM
Have been multiple times. Is a great city to visit.

boitoirich
10-02-2016, 10:49 PM
I've been several times and I love every bit of it. Getting around is a breeze on the MTR (subway). The city is highly walkable and has great, cheap food everywhere. Victoria Peak is breathtaking and a must-do for anyone's visit to HK. Don't forget to try one of the amusement parks (Ocean Park or HK Disney). Lan Kwai Fong is a popular bar-hopping district for expats and English-speaking locals. Plus the skyline is the best in the world. You'll love it.

Cocaine
10-07-2016, 06:39 AM
Yes I've been to Hong Kong several times and I have to go back for business in November. Maybe you should also get a Chinese Visa so you can see what China is really like. I hate Macau with a passion though but you should at least go maybe you will like it. When I was there I felt overwhelmed by Casino's. I don't gamble very much so it was pointless for me just a wasted day.

When I go to Hong Kong I usually eat a wide range of food there. You can try Vietnamese food, Japanese food, Cantonese Food, Sichuanese Food, Indian Food, just so much good food. I like to go to Chungking Mansions for Indian and Halal food it's but it's an area that's kind of sketchy.

I would just use MTR or buses to get around it's not that cheap but it is pretty easy. I've only taken a taxi short distances in Hong Kong and it was cheap but I think it's pretty expensive if you take it far and the taxi drivers don't speak English.

I would basically hit up the usual area's Mong Kok, Victoria, Peak, Lantau Island, Tsim Sha Tsui, Southern District, Central, and anything else on the top ten list. I would also go to one of the many night markets to buy cheap things. It is good to shop in Hong Kong but only for local clothes r souveniers. Remember to bargain when you buy things at street markets act like you are at Old Paris.

You can go to Shoe Street in Mong Kok too but the prices really aren't that good. You may find a rare pair of shoes and then buy it but most shoes aren't as cheap as what you could find back home. I will say when you are walking around people try and sell you things most of the time legal things but other times illegal.

I really prefer to go to a lot of local areas when I travel but you may not be interested in it. Going to local areas in Hong Kong is safe for the most part and it's not like China when you go to a place and you get to communicate with people in broken Chinese. Someone will speak English and they

Lan Kwai Fong is a good place to get a drink though. If you enjoy Bruce Lee films you can go to some of the places where they were filmed.

I will say this one more time try and make it to China. Shenzhen is a nice city and it's a lot different than Hong Kong you can even take a train to Guangzhou if you like. Hong Kong is basically a western city even the way the most people act is like Chinese Americans. If you go to China it will be a lot different even though Shenzhen and Guangzhou are very modern cities they are still in a developing country. I can guarantee one thing though it's that you will love Hong Kong it's called the city where East Meets West for a reason.

I don't think you should be aware of anything except don't do anything stupid. There is a lot to do in Hong Kong so spend your time wisely

johnnyhooper
10-07-2016, 12:32 PM
I went to this place a couple years ago. Easily the best fifteen bucks I ever spent at a restaurant. http://www.vice.com/read/a-visit-to-the-cheapest-michelin-starred-restaurant-in-the-world-998

I enjoyed Lantau Island and daytripping to Macau as well.

boitoirich
10-11-2016, 06:09 PM
I will say that I have to disagree with the above assessments of Macau. I spent a 3-day weekend there and it was a very nice time. I took in the Portuguese colonial architecture, world heritage sites in the historic centre (Senado Square is an absolute favorite), and only gave the casinos a halfhearted try one night (If I went back, I would skip that part). Also there is great food, including Portuguese and Chinese fare. Seriously the historic sites alone make Macau worth the visit.

Jeepnokc
10-11-2016, 07:35 PM
I will say that I have to disagree with the above assessments of Macau. I spent a 3-day weekend there and it was a very nice time. I took in the Portuguese colonial architecture, world heritage sites in the historic centre (Senado Square is an absolute favorite), and only gave the casinos a halfhearted try one night (If I went back, I would skip that part). Also there is great food, including Portuguese and Chinese fare. Seriously the historic sites alone make Macau worth the visit.

I was debating this. My buddy is going but is going to spend day at spa. Not my thing so was thinking of skipping it altogether but may go spend the day sightseeing. We have booked a cooking class that starts with the market, We are hitting the tallest bar in the world at the Ritz, buying a few hand tailored suits and shirts, visiting a few hidden bars, will hit at least one market, ride a junk boat and see the lights on the harbor. I will hit several liquor stores looking for high end scotches I cant get here and will probably spend at least one afternoon evening with the Balvenie Rep for Hong Kong. Still a few days open and I have to call one person who has been recently and sent his number but haven't had a free moment to sit down and do it.

Bellaboo
10-12-2016, 08:24 AM
Hey Jeep,

When we went we ordered HK dollars from Bank of Oklahoma the week before we left. It's 1 US = 7.5 HK. It's good to have local cash when you arrive. They do not take USD currency. Please call when you get the chance.

soonermike81
10-12-2016, 09:58 AM
My take. If there's precipitation expected, don't buy an umbrella off the street unless you only plan on keeping it for the day. Ours fell apart within hours.

And don't think HK and the mainland are similar. It may seem a little dirty, chaotic, and off putting. But it's a night & day difference compared to mainland. Major cities in mainland are a dump and people are rude and dirty af. In HK, there's order and people know have good etiquette for the most part.