Places to see in HONGKONG

If you want to know what the places below look like, go to Flickr.com and do a search or go to Discoverhongkong.com.

Alternative Good Source of Information: 
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...t-popular.html

Museum Information:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...ns/museum.html

Open-Top Bus Tours:
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...hawSightseeing
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...enTopCityTours
http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/hongkong/default.aspx
http://www.ctshk.com/english/ticket/admticket_hk.htm

Harbour Cruise:
http://www.aqua.com.hk/
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...s/harbour.html
http://www.hongkongextras.com/harbourtours.html
http://www.ctshk.com/english/ticket/admticket_hk.htm

TOP 10 Sights in Hong Kong 

 1. Disneyland
 2. The Peak ( includes Madame Tassaud's Wax Museum - BEST SEEN AT SUNSET/DUSK )
 3. Ocean Park
 4. Avenue of Stars ( Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront )
 5. Giant Buddha Ngong Ping Village
 6. Causeway Bay District
 7. Mongkok District
 8. Tsim Sha Tsui District   9. Central and Sheung Wan
10. Stanley / Aberdeen (Jumbo Floating Restaurant)

Additional Sights for HK Returnees (or those on a long duration trip)

1. Stanley and the scenic bus ride to it from Central
2. Nan Lian Gardens and Chilin Nunnery (Diamond Hill MTR Station)
2. Wong Tai Sin Temple (Wong Tai Sin MTR Station)
3. Kowloon City and Kowloon Walled City Park (Accessible by Bus or Taxi only)
4. Lan Kwai Fong and Midlevels (Central)
5. The Peak "Walk" (from the Peak top going back down to Central)
6. Walking with the Buddha / Wisdom Path (Ngong Pin Village)
7. Victoria and Hong Kong Park
8. Noon-day Gun (In front of Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay)
9. Seafood/Outdoor Trip to Lamma Island, Lei Yue Mun or Sai Kung
10. Museums (HK Science Museum and Museum of History)
11. Shatin (New Town Plaza, Snoopy Land and 10,000 Buddha Temple)
12. Outlying Islands (Lamma, Lantau, Peng Chau, etc)
13. Hiking in Lantau, etc.
14. Happy Valley Racecourse (every Wednesday night)

Places for Kids

1. Ocean Park (Aberdeen)
2. HK Science Museum (TST)
3. HK Space Museum (TST)
4. Snoopyworld (Shatin)
5. Noah's Ark (Feedbacks not very good)

TOP 5 Things to Do 

1. Watch the Symphony of Lights (Best seen at Avenue of Stars; 8pm Daily)
2. Ride the Peak Tram and the Century Old Tram within HK Island
3. Ride the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui or Vice Versa 
4. Eat authentic non-commercialized Hong Kong (Cantonese) food/dimsum/dessert
5. Shopping 

District Breakdown

Tsim Sha Tsui - Shopping/Tourist District, Alive until Midnight
*This district is filled with shops, malls and restaurants. Don't ask where. You will see it for yourself.
Avenue of Stars & Old Clock Tower
Star Ferry
Harbour City Shopping Complex (with Toys 'R Us and CitySuper)
Park Lane Shoppers' Boulevard
Sogo Tsim Sha Tsui
Nathan Road / Canton Road / Side Streets (Granville, Kimberley, Cameron, Carnarvon, Haiphong etc)
Knutsford Terraces
The Peninsula Hong Kong (Peninsula Group Flagship Hotel)
China Ferry Terminal (to Macau)
Museums
1881 Heritage

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/tst.pdf

Mongkok - Shopping District, Alive until Midnight
Langham Place (Mall)
Ladies Market (Tung Choi Street)
Electronics Street (Sai Yeung Choi Street)
Rubber Shoes Street (Fa Yuen Street)
Temple Street Night Market (reachable by Yau Ma Tei)
Plenty of local food stalls and small shops scattered all over

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/mok.pdf

Central - Business District in general
The Peak (Long walk from Central MTR Station)
Mid-Level Escalators
Maxim's Palace City Hall Dimsum Restaurant
IFC Shopping Mall / Pacific Place Shopping Mall
Lan Kwai Fong (Bars and nightlife)
Old Buildings and new Skycrapers
H&M
Star Ferry (to Tsim Sha Tsui)

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/cen.pdf

Causeway Bay - Shopping District, Alive until Midnight
Noon Day Gun
Times Square Mall
Sogo
World Trade Center Mall
Plus a few other smaller malls and shopping streets

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/cab.pdf

Wanchai
Wanchai Computer Center
HK Convention and Exhibition Center (Daily Flag Raising Ceremony)
HKCEC Promenade (Great for photo ops)

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/wac.pdf

Lantau Island
Disneyland
Ngong Ping Village (Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car + Giant Buddha + Po Lin Monastery)
Citygate Outlet Mall

Map: http://mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/tuc.pdf

Sha Tin
Shatin New Town Plaza Mall Complex
Snoopy's World (Inside Shatin New Town Plaza)
Biggest Ikea in HK
10,000 Buddha Temple

Map: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/sht.pdf

OPERATING HOURS OF FAMOUS TOURIST SPOTS / SHOPPING MALLS

Disneyland: 10AM to 8PM (Regular Days) | 9AM to 9PM (Holidays / Special Days)
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/h...ndarDetailPage

Ocean Park: 930AM to 8PM
http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/...ndar/index.php

Ngong Ping 360: 10AM to 6PM (Weekdays) 9AM to 630PM (Weekends/Holidays)
Peak Tram: 7AM to 12MIDNIGHT
Peak Tower & Sky Terrace: 10AM to 11PM (Weekdays) 8AM to 11PM (Weekends/Holidays)
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong: 10AM to 10PM
Nanlian Gardens: 7AM to 9PM
Star Ferry (Central/TST): 630AM to 1130PM
HK Tramways: 6AM to 12AM
Space Museum: 1PM to 9PM (Weekdays except Tuesday) 10AM to 9PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
Science Museum: 1PM to 9PM (Weekdays except Thursday) 10AM to 9PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
History Museum: 10AM to 6PM (Weekdays except Tuesday) 10AM to 7PM (Weekends) *Wednesday free admission*
Citygate Outlets: 10AM to 10PM
Harbour City: 10AM to 9PM
Sogo: 10AM to 10PM
Times Square: 10AM to 10PM


*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS

Getting to Your Hotel / Hostel

Three (3) OPTIONS  Getting to Your Hotel / Hostel

1. Bus (CityFlyer)
2. MTR (Airport Express) 
3. Taxi

CityFlyer Fare and Routes

After buying your octopus card in the airport, look for the sign that says "Buses to City". Follow the signs.

A21 Bus for Kowloon: 33HKD per adult (half price for children under 12)
A11 Bus for HK Island: 40HKD per adult (half price for children under 12)

How to know which Bus stop to get off at:

Go to your hotel's website and look for the public transportation instructions OR:

1. For those residing in Mongkok / Jordan / Yaumatei / Tsim Sha Tsui, take the A21 Bus.
2. For those residing in Central / Wanchai / Causeway Bay, take the A11 Bus.
3. Find out the address of your accommodations.
4. Using this address, look for the nearest bus stop (bus stop address specified in the NWSTBUS website)

http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...cityflyerRoute
http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/content/de...irportServices

*Ride on top of the bus, on the front seat, for best views of HK from the airport*

*Detailed Guide on the bottom of this thread*

Airport Express

http://mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/intro_index.html

Stops at Hong Kong Island (MTR Station), Tsing Yi and Kowloon (MTR Station). From these stations, there are FREE shuttle buses that pass through specific hotels, look for the shuttle that will pass by near your hotel/hostel.

List of Hotels that are serviced by the Free Shuttle Bus:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_ex..._free_bus.html

Standard Rate: 100HKD per person 1 way to Hong Kong Station, 90HKD for Kowloon Station.

Do not buy using the vending machines to avail of the discounted rates, look for the service counter.

Airport Express Discounted Group Ticket (Single Journey Ticket Set Price)
Group of 2: 160HKD to Hong Kong | 140HKD to Kowloon
Group of 3: 210HKD to Hong Kong | 190HKD to Kowloon
Group of 4: 250HKD to Hong Kong | 220HKD to Kowloon

Taxi

Costs usually around 250-350HKD from the airport, seats a MAXIMUM of 5 passengers. Additional charges for luggage/toll.

Flagdown rate: 18HKD



The MTR is Hong Kong's extremely efficient and easy to use subway system. You will not get lost using this.

Using your octopus card: Place it on top of the reader to enter (inside your station of origin), do the same when you exit (on your station of destination).

Using single journey tickets: Pretty much the same as the trains in Metro Manila. Insert -> Get -> Insert to exit.

The MTR will get you to almost anywhere (except places like Ocean Park, Aberdeen and Stanley) 

If you are going to a spot that is located in a district covered by the MTR, please visit this link to download a vicinity map and learn which MTR exit to take. (eg. The Peak, Worldwide Plaza, Avenue of Stars, Harbour City, Times Square, etc)

Inside the MTR Stations, signs are EVERYWHERE Directions to famous spots in the district are all over the stations and even in the streets. You will not get lost using the MTR.

MTR Route Guide: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/engtxt/planner_index.php <--- VERY USEFUL

This sign tells you that there is a Long walk from one station to the other station.

Central to Hong Kong Station is a long walk. Same goes with Tsim Sha Tsui to Tsim Sha Tsui East.

This sign here, is an MTR interchange that allows you to change train by getting off one train and hop into another train right away.

*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS

Airport Express Travel Pass

Airport Express Travel Pass

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/tf_index.html

This is a special tourist card only available for visitors spending 14 days or less in Hong Kong and for many visitors does not represent good value or have the same flexibility as the standard “On-loan” card.


It is available in two denominations;

HK$220 AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAVEL PASS


Includes a HK$50 deposit and provides one trip on the Airport Express and three days* unlimited travel on all MTR lines but not to the border stations Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. Since 1st October 2009 the pass also includes three days unlimited travel on MTR Light Rail and MTR bus.

HK$300 AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAVEL PASS

Provides two trips on the Airport Express and three days* unlimited travel on MTR all lines but not to the border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. Since 1st October 2009 the pass also includes three days unlimited travel on MTR Light Rail and MTR Bus.

* The three days unlimited travel commences at the time of first MTR journey and ends 72 hours later.

These cards can be “topped up” in the same way as the standard Octopus Card and will then function as a "normal" Octopus Card. Once "topped -up" the card can be used on all other forms of public transport which accept Octopus Card in addition to MTR.

A refund of the deposit can be obtained by the same method as for the standard “On-loan” Octopus Card.


*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS

The Octopus card is a must in HONGKONG

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite - Latest Generation

The Octopus Card

  The Octopus Card Mini

http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/en/index.jsp

1 Person 1 Card Policy | Kids ages 3 and above need to avail the Octopus for Children (70HKD minimum)

Where to buy in the airport - Customer Service Counter in the Arrivals Hall near Burger King / Cafe de Coral. PAYABLE BY CASH (HKD) ONLY.

Can be used for following transportations: MTR, All Buses, HK Island Tram, Star Ferry

The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. Launched in September 1997 to collect fares for the city's mass transit system, the Octopus card system has since grown into a widely used payment system for virtually all public transport in Hong Kong except the Taxi. You can also use it in Wellcome, 7-Eleven, Mcdonalds, and a whole lot more places.

There is a 50HKD deposit for the card upon purchasing it. The card is refundable if you opt to surrender it upon leaving HK. You may return your Octopus Card at the Customer Service in the airport or at any Octopus Card Service Center in HK. Your 50HKD can be refunded once you return the card plus the money left inside your octopus card.

Remember, when you buy an Octopus Card, you will have to pay 50hkd for the deposit and 100hkd to load it. Your octopus Card will start at 100hkd when you swipe it. Once you already used up the 100hkd and you can't find a place to load your card you may use up to 35hkd of your deposit. So, it's okay to see a negative sign in your Octopus Card. However, you can only go as high as negative 35hkd (-35hkd).

Don't panic when you wave your card and see a negative amount flashing on the screen. Ok lang yan. You still paid for the fare even it's showing negative. But again, you can only goes as high as negative 35 (-35hkd).

If your card is already -35hkd, it's still okay to refund the remaining amount of your deposit. However, if your card is less than 3 months old, you will be charged a 7hkd. So that means you will recieve a total amount of 8hkd na lang..hahaha..naku, i souvenier mo na lang yan...hehehe.

Typical Initial Load = 150 to 250HKD. Octopus Cards for Kids (3-11) are cheaper (around 70HKD).

You can buy the Octopus Card in the Airport or in any MTR station. Minimum Reload is 50HKD, you can reload it in any 7-Eleven store or MTR station.

If you have not added value to your Octopus for 1,000 days or above, your Octopus will be deactivated. You can go to any Customer Service Centre at MTR stations to have it reactivated.

More Information here:
http://www.octopus.com.hk/get-your-o.../en/index.html

By the way, this is how you wave your card

How to use:

For MTR: Tap once to enter, tap once to exit (on destination station)
For Bus: Tap once upon entering on the front door
For Trams: Tap once upon exiting on the front door. Enter at the back.


* NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS

To DO list when you landed @ Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport.

HKIA Official Website: http://www.hongkongairport.com

HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport) is a big airport. Before your plane land or before you walk away from your plane, always PAY ATTENTION to the stewardess telling everyone the Luggage Counter Number to pick up your luggage or where you should be heading to for the HK immigration. If you don't want to look like a "first timer" just follow where the crowds go. Chances are you will have to take a 1 minute train ride from airport B to airport A.

1. Get off the plane
2. Pay Attention to the luggage counter number
3. Head to the Immigration Line (grabe the free maps on the way there)
4. After passing the immigration officer the door to his back is the luggage pick-up area
5. Find your luggage section (it's very easy to find coz it's in numeric order)
6. Pick up your luggage
7. Get brochures and maps. They are everywhere in the luggage counter area.Plus they are FREE
8. After picking up your luggage, there is only 1 Door with a big signs "Something to declare / Nothing to Declare" and that's the exit door.
9. After you exit the "Something to declare / Nothing to Declare" door, you will find a few Airport money changer. (Do not change a lot as airport exchange rates are ripped off)
10. Look for the Customer Service Counter. This is the place where you buy your OCTOPUS CARD.*
11. Lunch at the airport or leave the airport and head directly to your hotel.

*CTS should be in this vicinity, if you can't find it, ask the customer service.



*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS

RECOMMENDED HOSTEL, LODGE, INN, / HOTEL IN HONGKONG

Taisan Guesthouse (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.hktaisanguesthouse.com/eng/index.htm
*Computer/Internet Provided in each room*
*Store 1 has the best location/newly renovated but 2 and 3 are not that far away, just a bit older*

Disclaimer: There have been instances where bookings were not honored (rooms given away to other people or different room type provided upon arrival. These happened to people arriving in the afternoon, those who didn't arrive at the specified time, or those who didn't confirm their booking.) If you do not need a computer inside your room, this takes away Taisan's advantage over other hostels. But if you do not want to pay a deposit online, then Taisan is the best choice. It is best that you book through the contact information below but this thread does not guarantee that everything will go 100% smoothly.

City Econo Guesthouse (Jordan)
http://www.cityecono.com/

Dragon Hostel (Mongkok)
http://www.dragonhostel.com/
*Free Wifi*

Golden Crown Guesthouse (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.goldencrownhk.com/
*Great location for 1st timers*
*Free Wifi*

Hop Inn Hostel (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://hotel.zoapiere.com/en.html?article=&id=26

Sun Kong Hostel (Causeway Bay)
http://www.sunkong.com.hk/

Marlboro Hostel (Causeway Bay)
http://www.179.hk/Cusac_Marlboro_EN.html
http://www.marlborohostel.com/
*Located in a shopping district*
*2 Computers provided for free*

Other Options:

Star World Guest House (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.hkstarworldguesthouse.com/

The Nest (Mongkok)
http://www.thenest.com.hk
*High End Hostel*

Lee Garden / Star Guest House (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.starguesthouse.com.hk/info.html

USA Hostel (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.usahotel.com.hk

Railei Hostel (Mongkok)
http://www.179.hk/Cusac_RaiLei_Hotel_EN.html

Cosmic Guesthouse (Tsim Sha Tsui)
http://www.cosmicguesthouse.com/

Taisan Guesthouse - call Ate Yolly at (852) 2366 8273 or (852) 2739 1673 for reservations


Dragon Hostel - email Stanley at dragonhostel@yahoo.com, they would ask for deposit


Hop Inn (new guesthouse located at Hankow Rd. TST) - email enquiry.hopinn@gmail.com

Budget/Good Value Hotels:

BP International (TST)
Bridal Teahouse (YMT) - Cheap but Decent 1 Star Hotel
Butterfly on the Prat (TST) - Brand New Hotel / Glass CRs with curtain very near MTR and 7-11, Free use of PC @ lobby, wi-fi in rooms
Citadines Ashley (TST)
Evergreen Hotel (Jordan) - Another Cheap but Decent 2 Star Hotel
Hotel Benito (TST) - Great Location
JJ Hotel (Wanchai) - Glass CRs with curtain
Shamrock Hotel (Jordan)

Other Choices:

The Cityview (Mongkok)
Courtyard by Marriott (Western)
Dorsett FAR East (Tsuen Wan)
Dorsett Seaview (YMT) - Best location among 3 Dorsett's
Dorsett Kowloon (Olympic)
Eaton Hotel (Jordan)
Excelsior Hotel (CWB)
Holiday Inn Golden Mile (TST)
Intercontinental Grand Stanford (TST East)
Kimberley Hotel (TST)
Louie Business Hotel (TST)
Marco Polo Prince (TST)
Marco Polo Gateway (TST)
Metropark Causeway Bay (CWB)
Metropark Kowloon (Mongkok)
Panda Hotel (Tsuen Wan)
Panorama by Rhombus (TST/TST East)
Park Hotel (TST)
Park Lane Hotel (CWB)
Prudential Hotel (TST)
Ramada Hotel (S. TST)
Royal Plaza (Mongkok East)
South Pacific Hotel (Wanchai)
W Hotel (Kowloon Station/TST West)
YMCA Salisbury (TST) 

Hotels for Honeymooners:

YMCA Salisbury - Harbour View Room (TST)
Intercontinental Hong Kong (TST)
Langham Place (Mongkok)
W Hotel (Kowloon Station/TST West)
Luxe Manor (TST)
Lanson Place (Causeway Bay)
Four Seasons (Central)

Hotels with 2 Double Bed Rooms (4 Adults):

Marco Polo Gateway - TST
Park Lane - Causeway Bay
L`Hotel Nina - Tsuen Wan / Tsuen Wan West (Very Affordable 5 Star Hotel - Sacrifice Location)

Hotel to Avoid -> Imperial Hotel (TST) - Dirty/Old/Small - Read the reviews at Tripadvisor.

Tsuen Wan is very far from the city center so avoid staying here as much as possible. Plenty of time will be eaten by transportation travel time. Same goes with staying in Lantau Island (Novotel Citygate) and Tsing Yi (Mexan Harbour Hotel).

As much as possible get a hotel which is located near an MTR station for your own convenience.

IF YOUR HOTEL IS NOT LISTED ABOVE, GO TO WWW.TRIPADVISOR.COM FOR REVIEWS/PHOTOS.

Booking Hotels Online:

If you plan to reside on hotels, you can choose among the available hotels in online booking websites such as Expedia.com, Wotif.com, Hotels.com, Agoda.com and Asiatravel.com. These sites are SAFE.

These sites will allow you to check the room rates of your chosen hotel for a specific date by mock booking. Mock booking is FREE.

When booking, these sites will ask for your credit card and either charge you immediately, or they will charge you if you failed to pay your hotel during your stay or if you are a no-show. Procedures depend on the 3rd party website. Some booking websites will let you pay upon check-out of your hotel.

FOR HOSTELS, PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE FOR BOOKING DETAILS.


*CONTENT TAKEN FROM THE PEX . NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT THIS BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS