What to do in Hong Kong?? --update--

[JoeKing]

--update--
Just saw this thread creep up from the grave and I thought I'd post an update of what I ended up doing. I ended up going to Lan Kwai Fong twice (it was just nice to drink with peopl from all over the world). I also took the subway, which was an incredibly easy and affordable way to travel. I just wish more of the main lines would have gone through Kowloon. I found myself having to take the Star Ferry quite a few times to get to Hong Kong island.

I went to Mong Kok as suggested and saw this. Browsed the computer section (found by following a bunch of overwieght guys with glasses and backpacks on), and bought a laptop mouse more as a souvenier than anything. Computer hardware there is expensive.

I also checked out Angels Peak, and was rewarded with this awesome site :roll:. Oh well, guess that's what I get for visiting during winter. Did the tourist required boat trip and found it enjoyable especially after they started racing!... guess who's boat won?

--end update--

other than catch SARS

I'm on the last leg of a tour of china I've taken and I'm in the last city of the trip, Hong Kong. Now I've been given a load of free time to kill, the rest of my trip was preplanned for me with my own personal tour guide and driver.

Now I'm wondering what's fun to do here? I've got the rest of today and tonight to do what I want. Tomorrow I've got a half day tour to do, but the latter half of the day and night is free. Any suggestions?

btw I am over 21

oh yeah, I'm staying at the Marco Polo gateway, talk about plush!
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[randal]

Hong Kong Women, of course!

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

turn around and go home

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: Nik
turn around and go home

and into your loving arms??!! Naww I think I'll pass.

 

[UncleWai]

Is your S.O. with you?
Go to the peak and dine there in Admiralty (Hong Kong Island).
The scenario and the food are the bomb.
The Tiramisu cake in that restaurant is exceptional.
It will probably cost you an arm and a leg though.

Go to Shum Shui Po for computer parts.
Go to Mong Kok for cheapo and pirated stuff (not just electronics).
Go to Tsim Sha Sui or Causeway bay for shopping the expensive stuff.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Buy counterfeit goods.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: UncleWai
Is your S.O. with you?
Go to the peak and dine there in Admiralty (Hong Kong Island).
The scenario and the food are the bomb.
The Tiramisu cake in that restaurant is exceptional.
It will probably cost you an arm and a leg though.

Go to Shum Shui Po for computer parts.
Go to Mong Kok for cheapo and pirated stuff (not just electronics).
Go to Tsim Sha Sui or Causeway bay for shopping the expensive stuff.

No SO with me, it's a vacation away from it all!!

Mong Kok sounds interesting, but I've already got my share of fake rolexs in shanghai. And I've heard comp parts are far too expensive over here, I also doubt they would survive the trip back.

 

[777php]

Mong Kok was great for cheap asian DVD's. I also bought a few soccer jerseys there.

 

[UncleWai]

Too bad I am not in HK, my uncle has a watch trading company.
He knows so many people that can hook me up with discount on pretty much everything.
I got my Tag @ the reseller price.

The bars where foreigners hang out are in Central Hong Kong Island, Lan Kwai Fong is the place, I suddenly forgot what the english name is.
Afternoon you should just browse around Mong Kok and move to Tsim Sha Shui at night.
Then you can check out the coast view of Hong Kong Island.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: UncleWai
The bars where foreigners hang out are in Central Hong Kong Island, Lan Kwai Fong is the place, I suddenly forgot what the english name is.
Afternoon you should just browse around Mong Kok and move to Tsim Sha Shui at night.
Then you can check out the coast view of Hong Kong Island.

That sounds like a plan and a half, thanks. I'll start getting ready to leave and check back on the board before I go to see if there are any other suggestions. What's the best way to get around in this city? Do the taxi drivers generally speak english? How about mass transit?

 

[funggorgor]

Welcome to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is beautiful
Actually you can do a lot of things such as shopping and eating
Hong Kong is a shopping paradise
Most products are tax-free so that they r cheaper compared with other countries

 

[777php]

MTR is cheap and easy to use, the stops have english names.
Check out the MTR website for stops and go to hkta.org and download their maps. They have major buildings and shopping malls designated on them.

 

[spanky]

take pix of some wimmin.

when i was in hk a few years back, a hooker followed me to my hotel. fortunately, i was able to lose her with my barry sanders' moves through the lobby.

 

[gutharius]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
View from window 1
View from window 2
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Lotta smog there... yuck.

 

[BudAshes]

Get off ATOT for one.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: 777php
MTR is cheap and easy to use, the stops have english names.
Check out the MTR website for stops and go to hkta.org and download their maps. They have major buildings and shopping malls designated on them.

Hmm I might just try the rail system out. Looks like I'm very close to the Kowloon station. Wish me luck guys! If i don't post back in a few days, I'm probably dead

Originally posted by: Xafgoat
Get off ATOT for one.

it's only 5:30pm man! I checked in about 2 hours ago, gotta have some time to breath. But in any case I'm off

 

[UncleWai]

Kowloon station is bad, it only connects to a few stations.
Walk around and go to Jordan MTR station.
Actually I don't think you shold take the MTR, you can start walking at your place.

 

[777php]

how's he supposed to go to HK then? Ferry? Actually that might be a good idea, especially at night to see the lights from the harbor would be awesome.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: 777php
how's he supposed to go to HK then? Ferry? Actually that might be a good idea, especially at night to see the lights from the harbor would be awesome.

You have to take the ferry -- it's great and ridiculously cheap!

Definitely take the train up Victoria Peak, but I would recommend taking it one way and then going down on a bus to get a different view. We went roundtrip, and it was dull on the way down. Wish we had seen more of the peak.

If you're in the mood for a fairly authentic pub experience, check out Delaney's. We went to the one on Peking Road in Tsim Sha Shui -- great beers and fantastic food. Since we live in Asia, we weren't too keen on more Asian cuisine, and we both long for Europe after so long! Over near the train station in Kowloon (Hung Hom), there's supposedly one of the best places for dim sum at the Golden Palace restaurant. Unfortunately we didn't make it there for lunch, which is ironic since we were staying right down the road at the Grand Stanford.

Check out the Avenue of the Stars and catch the hokey light show over the harbor. Even if you don't want to buy anything, walk around Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Shui for the overload of people experience. It's interesting to see the hustle and bustle.

One really good commodity in Hong Kong -- photography equipment. There's a really, REALLY nice store one block south of Queen's Road on Hong Kong Island on a small alleyway (look for the Watson's on the crossroad which connects Queen's to the alley and the next street up). I don't have directions because we gave our book away in China, but there are plenty of photography places -- just watch out for swindlers.

We love Hong Kong now. We're definitely going back some day!

 

[mrrman]

buy an extra suitcase and load it up with stuff...super cheap electronics and things

 

[gsellis]

Need to wear ties? Last time I was there, 100% silk ties for $1 US ($7HKD). They are cheap, but when they cost $1 and you get something on it, you just toss it. Cheap silk shirts for $10 (stone washed and soft as all get out). Can be thin, but again, a $10 silk shirt. Same shirts in the US are about $50-70.

If it is still open, the Spring Deer is like the premier Peking Duck place on Kowloon. Check out the Jade Market if you like stuff made out of rock. If you get there when it opens, you can get a deal as the first buyer is the 'lucky' sale of the day, so your low offer may be accepted. Do the tram to the top of Victoria Peak. It is a cool view. With Bird Flu issues, don't know if the Bird Market is still thriving. It was cool though. Some of the cages make really cool decorations as some interior decorating twisted usage.

Don't forget that it is not too early to start Christmas/Birthday shopping. You will find stuff here that you just cannot get at home (like the little Kama Sutra statues - perv) and horse hair wallets (mine lasted for 8 years).

 

[J0hnny]

I just came back from Hong Kong. Is it still really cold there?

If you're into clubbing, check out hkclubbing.com for venues.

We stayed in Mong Kok. Awesome place. Ate tons of food and checked out ladies market.

 

[JoeKing]

well I'm back from my little outing, and I must say Hong Kong is very fun. I actually ended up wandering around for a half an hour. Then by pure chance I ended up following a bunch of people onto the Star Ferry which brought me to the main island. All for a 1.70!! Awesome view the entire trip.

Then I followed the signs and the beckons of my liver to Lan Kwai Fong, suprisngly easy to fund btw. The place was packed full of bars and people drinking in the street. I had a few drinks and chatted with a bunch of friendly aussies at the Keg. I'm definatly going back tomorrow. Nothing like watching middle aged people in buisniess suits drinking it up and making asses of themselves.

People were bundled up, but I wouldn't call the weather cold. In fact I ended up sweating a bit and regretted wearing an undershirt and bringing my jacket. Remeber I just came from Bejing and shanghai. Compared to those places, the weather in Hong Kong is great.

 

[J0hnny]

Hey, you did a trip similar to me. I had come from Shanghai prior to going to HK.

I recommend clubbing though, but I'm young, so maybe you're not into it.

 

[lsman]

Hong Kong, last I heard my friends just return saying price are jack bit higher (it was lower sometime ago when the econmy is bad and after hit by SARS and gov lower many fee and tons of travel deals). Because recently the "free style tour" open by China gov (a way to keep Hong Kong afloat) that ppl in some China cities (a policy was some area need permit to go/live around the country) can go without apply for "visa". This floods the Mong Kok and around area ... and everywhere you go, shop do not speak Cantonese (where is the "official" local dialect) but Mandarin...

for computer parts, may be cheaper across the rivier (in china)