| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 4/7/2008 2:35:30 PM | Hello everyone!
I am very excited to say that I have completed arrangements for a summer 2008 home exchange vacation to Hong Kong!
I will be there from late June through mid July, and am hoping to get any insight, tips, stories, info. I can before I head out. I am a single female, who will be traveling alone - so any info on places/areas/experiences best left off my list (for safety reasons) would also be appreciated.
So, those of you who live in or have visited Hong Kong, please share:
- favorite parks/museums/attractions
- are their any festivals planned for June/July 2008
- restaurants and nightlife hot spots
- where to shop and what to shop for (I understand that it is easy to get clothes/suits custom tailored?)
- if there are any day trips or tours to main land China that you would recommend
Many thanks!!! | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:30:41 PM | Been to Hong Kong twice on tours. Stayed at the Kowloon Hotel in the 'golden mile' shopping district. Nice shops and easy to walk around. You can catch the Start Ferry to cross the Harbor. You're probably on the other side from Kowloon. There is shopping all over the place. Easily to walk by several stores run by India clientele that will measure you and make clothes for you in just a couple days.
There is a night market that is fun to go to, get ready to barter for the goods, cut down really cheap and then work your way to a good price. There is also the Jade market. That's really busy but great bargins. Watch the Jade as different colors mean different prices.
I've ridden the buses too to go to flea markets, but I was always with someone. I'm sure you will have no problem getting around. It seemed simple enough. It's been many years since I've gone so I don't have too much else to say. Have fun. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/14/2008 11:47:44 AM | Thanks CLW!
By all accounts the shopping is going to be one of the highlights of my trip - I appreciate your advice. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/14/2008 8:43:16 PM | It has been a few years since I was there and only a 3 day stop-over at that. However, I felt quite safe (stayed on Kowloon side) and the metro and ferry were very easy to take. I really enjoyed some of the parks. Some people did like to brush up against me as I passed on the crowded sidewalks, so I quite quickly learned to turn sideways. Suggest that you carry toilet seat covers and personal tissue with you (assuming you can find a toilet with a seat on it in the first place). :)
I think you'll really enjoy. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/18/2008 8:43:49 AM | | I forgot about the man who came up to my sister to sell her a designer purse, probably knock off. It's against the law there and they don't sell them on the streets. She agreed to go with him which shocked the heck out of me and I had to follow to make sure she was okay. We walked down an alley, got on an elevator, had the 'secret' knock and walked in. Low and behold a couple were there with a child, amazing they went with a kid. Four men were in the corning playing cards and then we were taken to another room where the purses were. My sister was very stupid to follow him. So be careful and don't agree to go somewhere off the street that isn't a store. We were very lucky that nothing happened. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/25/2008 5:16:39 PM | I have lived in south China for a few years now. I go to Hong Kong often. It is a great city.
First advise is to get a transit pass. The transit system is very good.
Then go to a tourist bureau. I like the one near the ferry terminals, near the walk of the stars. Get the information from there.
The walk of starts is on the north side of the harbour. You can see the hand prints of the stars on the side walk, sit on a patio and have a cold drink as you watch the city across the bay.
The great budda is good to go to. You take the subway to where it says cable car. You then take a 5 kilometer cable car ride to a huge budda statue. It is more indian style then chinese,
if you go to the east end of the island subway you can catch a bus to "stanley" This is a nice little town. Market and beaches. I like to go there also.
If you have never been to China I would recommend you go to some of the markets.
If you have been to China they are typical
Cautions
If you have a purse have a long strap across your body, purse snatchers.
Have zippers on your purse and one pocket, pick pockets.
Carry the cash you are using loose in a front pocket, pick pockets.
You will find that the dangerous areas of Chinese cities are more safe then the average area of western cities. They have sever penalties here for crimes, and they are not afraid to use them.
The mayor of Shanghai was executed for taking a bribe
That being said, stay away from the hint of drug use
Do not drink and drive. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/25/2008 5:34:26 PM | back again, should have told more
If you take a tour you can go to the PRC without a visa. Other words you will need a visa.
I perfer to shop in Shenzhen (beside HK). it is cheaper there. The clothes are all knock offs.
You can take tours to Guangzhou. It takes about 4 hours to get there because of customs. I have went through customs in times from 10 minutes to 4 hours depending on lines.
If you go to "China". It is "VERY DIRTY" a previous advise was to use seat covers on the toilett in HK. In China most toiletts you squat to go to the wash room. If you find a western toilett you will see the people do not know how to use a western toilett, so you will see foot prints on the seats . They do not supply toilett paper. You have to take your own. And do not forget it.
There is no such thing a ladies first, holding a door, or waiting in line. It is first come first serve and they push to be first.
You will be in a nice restaurant and the person in the table next to you will repeatedly spit on the floor, until there is a pool of spit. This is acceptable behaviour in China. (NOT HK)
So much for the main land.
Go to Macau.
It is the old portugese colony with the same status as HK
It is about 1 hour away by ferry. If you have a HK visa you will have a Macau visa.
It is the Las Vegas of Asia. If you do not want to gamble, there are some very nice tourist walks. Old European streets. There is the famous church ruin that is a must see.
If you want photos or more information write me.
I will be in HK for about a week in July on my return to Canada | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 5/28/2008 1:15:28 PM | Wow - thanks Leinad!
This is great info - I am expecially interested in visiting Macau as it sounds like a great day trip. I was actually hoping to catch some horse racing or similar events. | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 6/2/2008 5:58:50 AM | hi
Mail me, i did not check here as often as I should
The horse racing is in Hong Kong. The jocky club there is world famous and the races are telecasted to the main land often.
One think I just noticed, or remembered.
When you do into a public WC in Hong Kong, look for the paper outside on the wall. Hong Kong supplies paper, but not always in each stall.
when I was there one time my friend took me for a picnic. We took the ferry to an island. Then the bus to a beach. the beach had camping, bbq's set up, and was very beautiful.
In HK if children can be present then it is no smoking. So the beaches and parks are no smoking areas. In China (Sanya) there are beautiful beaches, but you get butts between your toes all the time.
Check the tousist information by the ferry terminal as I said before. They will be a great help.
I will be there fron the 4 of July to the 9. That is when i return to canada for a while | |
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| Hong Kong Summer 2008
Posted: 6/12/2008 2:15:27 AM | Go up on the Peak tram to Victoria Peak (night time and day time) for a spectacular view of HK.
Lan Kwai Fong (also known as Central) is a good nightlife hotspot with many bars and clubs .
The Night market on the Kowloon side is well worth a visit .
Go to Macau for a day out by ferry from HK
I stayed on the Kowloon side, had a great view of the harbour in The Salisbury Hotel .Watch the firework and laser display on all the buildings at 8pm every night !
have a pleasant trip .Wish I could go back. | |
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