In this post, I'm going to mainly talk about shopping in Hong Kong. However I'll keep it brief, since every guide book talks about it. And even if you go by my suggestion for your Hong Kong trip, you should still get a small guide book. Time Out has some really good ones.
For shopping, you can find a lot of choices on both the Hong Kong island side: Wan Chai <灣仔> and Causeway Bay <銅鑼灣>, and the Kowloon peninsula side: from Tsim Sha Tsui <尖沙咀> (for example take the Cameron Road <金馬倫道> exit of Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station to go shopping at Granville Road <加連威老道>) to Jordan <佐敦>, Yau Ma Tei <油麻地>, and Mong Kok <旺角>. In addition to shopping, you can also find a lot of different restaurants! Worry about reading the menu? The best is to pick a busy restaurant and look at what other people are eating that look good to you and ask for the same!
One of the world's best history museum is in East Tsim Sha Tsui <尖東>. I highly recommend it! Please plan to spend at least 3 hours in there. Head east on Cameron Road or Granville Road, take the bridge to cross Chatham road.
If you want to buy some authentic, good quality Chinese souvenirs, check out Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium <裕華國货>. There's one next to the Jordan MTR station.
The famous Women's Street <女人街> locates in Mong Kok. However it's not as cheap as it used to be. You must negotiate at those places (which are not on the pedestrians). Try cutting the prices by 30%. They're a lot more willing to go down on their prices when they're closing, which starts at 23:00! For something really cheap, go to Aplin Street <鴨寮街> & Nam Cheong Street <南昌街> in Sham Shui Po <深水埗>.
Hong Kong Museum of History: 100 South Chatham Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui
香港歷史博物館: 尖沙咀東 漆咸道南 100号
Tel: 2724-9042
HK$10 for Standard Admission
Opening Hours
Yue Hwa Chinese Products: 301-309 Nathan Road, Jordan
裕華國货: 佐敦 彌敦道 301-309号
Tel: 3511-2222
Opening Hours: Everyday 10:00-22:00
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hong Kong Hong Kong! part 3
People normally don't plan to spend too many days in Hong Kong. Even though I find plenty of things to do there, I would still make recommendation on some must see & do and introduce a few of my personal favorites in the following posts.
No. 1 must see would be the Peak <太平山>, aka. Victoria Peak and Mount Austin. (It's really the peak of a mountain on the Hong Kong Island. Its tram terminal is near the American Consulate.) It would be better if you take the tram (yes, the Octopus card can be used here!) up at least an hour before sun set, avoid going to the wax museum and spending too much time in the shopping center, take a walk around, and then wait for sun set at the top of the tower. The view would be amazing!
Things to do before going to the Peak:
Let's say you start your day before lunch, you could take a look at the area around the Star Ferry Pier <天星小輪碼頭> in Tsim Sha Tsui <尖沙咀>. Going from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, One of the first places you'll encounter is the Peninsula Hotel <半島酒店>. This is the only luxury five-star hotel with an historical building. Walk around inside, no one would bother you. Heading west, you'll immediately see a large plaza with Colonial style architecture. However it isn't authentic. Across the street from the Peninsula Hotel is a half sphere shaped building called the Space Museum <太空館>. The Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier is on its western side, and the famous Clock Tower <鐘樓> stands there. Then you can take the ferry (yes, the Octopus card!) to Wan Chai <灣仔>.
Even if you have tried dim sum <點心> before, you still should try it in Hong Kong. Luk Yu Tea House <陸羽茶室> is often recommended by many tourist organizations. I've eaten there once. Sure it did bring me back some old memories of yum cha <飲茶> and the food was decent. (I felt cheated when my favorite dim sim "har gau" <蝦餃> had only three pieces instead of the typical four.) If you worry about the language barrier, then Luk Yu would be a safe bet - just a little more pricey. Otherwise, pretty much any Chinese restaurants in busy areas, like Wan Chai, will do. Dim sum is normally served for breakfast, lunch and tea time (2-4 pm).
To go from Wan Chai to Central, you could either take the MTR or the old fashion double-deck tram (yes, Octopus card!). If you take the tram, get off at the stop in front of the HSBC headquarter building <滙豐總行大廈>. Central is a business district, and it's a gathering place for the Filipino maids on Sundays.
As a side note, many Hong Kong families who have children or elderlies hire live-in maids (HK$3,000-4,000 per month) from the Philippines or Indonesia to help with care taking and housework. The maids always have Sundays off. The Filipino maids like to gather in Central while the Indonesian ones like to gather in the Victory Park.
After yum cha and if time allows, you could consider taking a walk in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens <動植物公園>. It's on the way to the Peak Tram Terminal. The garden is surrounded by high-rise buildings, so it's quite an interesting view especially while standing by the fountain. And the monkeys could behave pretty frisky!
Things to do after going to the Peak:
Once you have enjoyed the view at the Peak, take the tram back down and take bus #15C from the Peak Tram Terminal to Central Ferry Pier. There're only 2,3 stations on this route with a stop near Lan Kwai Fong <蘭桂坊>, which is a popular area for drinking and clubbing for Westerners. If you come to the stop next to the Central MTR station, you've missed it. The walk back to Lan Kwai Fong isn't far, or you could take the MTR to go to Causeway Bay <銅鑼灣> for dinner and do some (window) shopping.
The Peninsula Hotel: 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
半島酒店: 尖沙咀 梳士巴利道 22号
Tel: 2920-2888
Luk Yu Tea House: 24-26 Stanley St., Central
陸羽茶室: 中環 史丹利街 24-26号
Tel: 2523-5464
Zoological and Botanical Gardens: Albany Road, Central
動植物公園: 中環 雅賓利道
Tel: 2530-0154
Free admission
No. 1 must see would be the Peak <太平山>, aka. Victoria Peak and Mount Austin. (It's really the peak of a mountain on the Hong Kong Island. Its tram terminal is near the American Consulate.) It would be better if you take the tram (yes, the Octopus card can be used here!) up at least an hour before sun set, avoid going to the wax museum and spending too much time in the shopping center, take a walk around, and then wait for sun set at the top of the tower. The view would be amazing!
Things to do before going to the Peak:
Let's say you start your day before lunch, you could take a look at the area around the Star Ferry Pier <天星小輪碼頭> in Tsim Sha Tsui <尖沙咀>. Going from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, One of the first places you'll encounter is the Peninsula Hotel <半島酒店>. This is the only luxury five-star hotel with an historical building. Walk around inside, no one would bother you. Heading west, you'll immediately see a large plaza with Colonial style architecture. However it isn't authentic. Across the street from the Peninsula Hotel is a half sphere shaped building called the Space Museum <太空館>. The Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier is on its western side, and the famous Clock Tower <鐘樓> stands there. Then you can take the ferry (yes, the Octopus card!) to Wan Chai <灣仔>.
Even if you have tried dim sum <點心> before, you still should try it in Hong Kong. Luk Yu Tea House <陸羽茶室> is often recommended by many tourist organizations. I've eaten there once. Sure it did bring me back some old memories of yum cha <飲茶> and the food was decent. (I felt cheated when my favorite dim sim "har gau" <蝦餃> had only three pieces instead of the typical four.) If you worry about the language barrier, then Luk Yu would be a safe bet - just a little more pricey. Otherwise, pretty much any Chinese restaurants in busy areas, like Wan Chai, will do. Dim sum is normally served for breakfast, lunch and tea time (2-4 pm).
To go from Wan Chai to Central, you could either take the MTR or the old fashion double-deck tram (yes, Octopus card!). If you take the tram, get off at the stop in front of the HSBC headquarter building <滙豐總行大廈>. Central is a business district, and it's a gathering place for the Filipino maids on Sundays.
As a side note, many Hong Kong families who have children or elderlies hire live-in maids (HK$3,000-4,000 per month) from the Philippines or Indonesia to help with care taking and housework. The maids always have Sundays off. The Filipino maids like to gather in Central while the Indonesian ones like to gather in the Victory Park.
After yum cha and if time allows, you could consider taking a walk in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens <動植物公園>. It's on the way to the Peak Tram Terminal. The garden is surrounded by high-rise buildings, so it's quite an interesting view especially while standing by the fountain. And the monkeys could behave pretty frisky!
Things to do after going to the Peak:
Once you have enjoyed the view at the Peak, take the tram back down and take bus #15C from the Peak Tram Terminal to Central Ferry Pier. There're only 2,3 stations on this route with a stop near Lan Kwai Fong <蘭桂坊>, which is a popular area for drinking and clubbing for Westerners. If you come to the stop next to the Central MTR station, you've missed it. The walk back to Lan Kwai Fong isn't far, or you could take the MTR to go to Causeway Bay <銅鑼灣> for dinner and do some (window) shopping.
The Peninsula Hotel: 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
半島酒店: 尖沙咀 梳士巴利道 22号
Tel: 2920-2888
Luk Yu Tea House: 24-26 Stanley St., Central
陸羽茶室: 中環 史丹利街 24-26号
Tel: 2523-5464
Zoological and Botanical Gardens: Albany Road, Central
動植物公園: 中環 雅賓利道
Tel: 2530-0154
Free admission
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hong Kong Hong Kong! part 2
First thing first, transportation!
Hong Kong is very small and transportation is so well developed that one could pretty much get to anywhere without having to speaking to anyone. Even if you do rather ask, Hong Kong people are very friendly and will always try to help unless they're in a hurry. What I learned from my Beijing trip was if someone looks at you or what you're looking at (even if it's just a glance), then it's a good chance that he/she is willing to help!
MTR is probably the simplest transportation system for foreigners to follow. Spending HK$150 (equal about 15 Euro or US$16) for an Octopus card <八達通> is highly recommended. It comes with an initial value of HK$100 and may be recharged in increments of HK$50 at stores such as the Seven Eleven convenient stores and the Wellcome <惠康> supermarkets. It can be used for virtually all public transportation (excluding taxi and some mini-buses), at many stores, and even at vending machines.
Hong Kong people do follow in line. However, if you're being too slow, leaving too much space in front of you, not paying attention, or appearing not care about it, then they could cut you. They go by common sense and don't follow rules blindly.
Same with many major cities in Asia, there're often a lot of sales persons on the streets and department stores who try to get your attention. It isn't impolite to look away unless you're interested.
Spitting is not so much of a problem anymore ever since the SARS incident happened a few years ago. People pay a lot more attention to sanitary environment & personal hygiene. There're often liquid disinfectant at entrances of restaurants, clinics and hospitals. Also signs are posted everywhere notifying the frequency of disinfection of carpets, buttons of lifts (elevators). Public toilets are a lot more cleaner, and free toilet papers are often provided.
Hong Kong is very small and transportation is so well developed that one could pretty much get to anywhere without having to speaking to anyone. Even if you do rather ask, Hong Kong people are very friendly and will always try to help unless they're in a hurry. What I learned from my Beijing trip was if someone looks at you or what you're looking at (even if it's just a glance), then it's a good chance that he/she is willing to help!
MTR is probably the simplest transportation system for foreigners to follow. Spending HK$150 (equal about 15 Euro or US$16) for an Octopus card <八達通> is highly recommended. It comes with an initial value of HK$100 and may be recharged in increments of HK$50 at stores such as the Seven Eleven convenient stores and the Wellcome <惠康> supermarkets. It can be used for virtually all public transportation (excluding taxi and some mini-buses), at many stores, and even at vending machines.
Hong Kong people do follow in line. However, if you're being too slow, leaving too much space in front of you, not paying attention, or appearing not care about it, then they could cut you. They go by common sense and don't follow rules blindly.
Same with many major cities in Asia, there're often a lot of sales persons on the streets and department stores who try to get your attention. It isn't impolite to look away unless you're interested.
Spitting is not so much of a problem anymore ever since the SARS incident happened a few years ago. People pay a lot more attention to sanitary environment & personal hygiene. There're often liquid disinfectant at entrances of restaurants, clinics and hospitals. Also signs are posted everywhere notifying the frequency of disinfection of carpets, buttons of lifts (elevators). Public toilets are a lot more cleaner, and free toilet papers are often provided.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Hong Kong Hong Kong! part 1
This wasn't my first time in Hong Kong. In fact I spent my first 17 years there. However it's the first for my other half. Everyone said we chose the worse time to visit, since it's the hottest summer (July & August) in the last 10 years. Yes, it did feel like the hottest I've ever experienced, and it was also very humid (well above 80%) as usual! Nevertheless, please don't let this keep you from visiting Hong Kong. It has many advantages over many other cities in mainland China, which you'll find out more as you keep reading my blog!
Sweating plus going in and out of air conditioning places all day long, one could catch a cold easily. If you do, no worries. There're plenty of herbal tea stores <涼茶舖> where bitter tasting, dark color herbal tea is sold in little ceramic bowls. My two favorites are <感冒茶> (tea for catching a cold) and <廿四味> (24 flavors). During this visit, I became a loyal customer of <感冒茶> (the "cold" tea). The other one is for eating too much fried food, having an oral ulcer, etc. Let's say this could be a way to experience the effectiveness of some light Chinese herbal medicine! However certain stores' products are definitely better than others, and a good one doesn't have to be made by a big name store. For example, my favorite store is located in To Kwai Wan <土瓜灣> on To Kwai Wan Road <土瓜灣道> across the street from the Hong Kong Jockey Club <香港賽馬會>. It's small and looks very plain, but their <感冒茶> (the "cold" tea) works for me every time (HK$18)! (Sorry, the picture shown here is not the one I go.)
One great way to prevent catching a cold in this Hong Kong environment is by keeping a damp towel (in a plastic bag or a little plastic box) in a size of a handkerchief for wiping all that sweat often (which also serves to keep from having sticky skin and make you feel much much better). Toilets are easy to be found in Hong Kong (I don't remember ever having to pay a penny for it), so you can wash it under the tap water as often as you want. Also always carry a light sweater that you can easily stuff into your handbag or backpack for wearing in the air conditioning places, which is pretty much everywhere indoor including transportation. The air conditioning could be so strong that I once felt like I was going to be blown away just by standing on the street in front of an entrance door of a store!
During summers, mosquitoes could be a problem especially in parks and rural areas. the "damp towel" method above is also useful in keeping these annoying creatures away, because one way they find you is by the smell of your sweat.
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