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Hong Kong?
We just booked a trip to Bangkok and Phuket. Our flight to/from NY stops in Hong Kong, so we added 5 days on our way home.
Has anyone been there and can offer advice on where to stay? There are so many hotels and locations around the islands!
We definitely wanted to hit Hong Kong Disneyland for a day, but it seems like a tiny park compared to the others {like compared to the one in FL}, so I'm thinking one day should be good enough and we might not necessarily need to stay on property. The Disney hotels look nice, but it may not be the best place to stay if we are just going to do Disney one day and then going other places the rest.
I was also looking on Trip Advisor and it seems like taking the ferry to Macau may be a fun thing to do as well? We were debating if it's worth it to take the ferry to/from same day or actually spend the night in Macau... but then it seems like maybe a hassle with luggage for one night... ugh.
Have any of you ever visited and can offer some insight on what you did/where you stayed, etc?
Thailand definitely hasn't been this hard to plan compared to Hong Kong!
Thanks so much!
Re: Hong Kong?
When we went, we stayed near Causeway Bay, and really enjoyed the area. It's a very commercial shopping district, so there were plenty of restaurant options, and the stores stay open reasonably late, so we felt quite safe walking around in the evening. Although it's not the most central location, the MTR provided quick and convenient access to the rest of the city. Many people stay on the Kowloon side, but I actually felt that it was more convenient to be on Hong Kong Island, since more of the sights we wanted to see were on Hong Kong proper.
I would not stay out near Disneyland. It will be a long trip out to the hotel, and you really won't need more than one day at Disneyland. The park is very small, and I usually suggest skipping it unless you're a die-hard Disney fan. The Disney-themed MTR trains on the extension line are unique, but aside from the snack food for sale and one or two characters in Chinese dress, there was nothing to distinguish HK Disneyland from Disneyland in other parts of the world.
Macau is definitely worth a daytrip, and it's only about an hour by express ferry. The Portuguese influence is incredibly apparent in the old town, which is much more like Lisbon than China. The Museu de Macau is quite nice and does a great job explaining the local history and culture. And for a more modern view, check out some of the big casinos. If you want to do a night on the town and really spend some time at the casinos, you might consider an overnight, but otherwise a daytrip is fine. (If you do choose an overnight and you're staying someplace inexpensive, you could always consider double-booking and just keeping the room in HK while you overnight in Macau so that you can travel lighter.)
I highly recommend picking up an Octopus card, which is the local prepaid cash card. It can be swiped to conveniently use any of the public transportation (at a discount), even the ferries on the remote islands. Additionally, most vending machines and shops in the MTR stations accept it as a form of payment, as do many convenience stores.
As for things to do/see...
- Take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for a fantastic view over the city. Try to do this on a clear day if you're lucky enough to get one.
- Ride the Star Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui if it's running. Despite its long history, the city has been considering closing the ferry and has, I believe, reduced service in the last few years.
- Walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for the view of Hong Kong Island, and check out the campy Avenue of the Stars to stand in the footprints of Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee. In the evening, check out the world-famous light show.
- Wander around Central to see the impressive skyscrapers and elevated sidewalk system that weaves its way in and out of surrounding buildings.
- Dine at a good authentic Dim Sum restaurant, and marvel at the artistry and variety.
- Take a stroll through some of the more traditionally Chinese shopping districts near Central. See the traditional Chinese medicine shops and interesting food markets. Also, go visit the attractive Man Mo Temple.
- Head to the southern side of Hong Kong Island for a different perspective. Check out Stanley Market and Aberdeen, where you can hire a sampan for a boat tour around the harbor and then dine at one of the massive floating restaurants. Unless you're queasy about seeing your food while it's still alive, opt to head downstairs to the tanks and pick out your own seafood when you order.
- Spend an evening bar-hopping or people-watching in the popular nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong.
- Ride from Central to Mid-Levels on the escalators. Check out the shops and cafes that line the steps as you walk back down (the escalator only runs one way, so it only heads down during morning rush hour).
- The popular Temple Street Night Market sells a wide range of knick-knacks, sundries, and junk. Don't forget to haggle.
- Visit Lantau Island to see the giant Buddha - the largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha in the world.
- To see the quieter side of Hong Kong, hop a ferry to one of the small outlying islands. In December it's a bit cold for the beach, but the small fishing villages are quite a contrast to the bustling city downtown!
I highly recommend picking up a guidebook with a few walking tours. Or check out and print the ones at Frommers.com One of the best ways to experience Hong Kong is just to walk the streets, and a guided walk will help you see some of the most interesting areas in a limited time.