Besides being one of the world's most vibrant and intense modern business cities, Hong Kong packs in下巴ese culture, some incrediblenatural beautyin its marine and country parks, as well asworld class shopping,entertainmentandhospitality facilities. Hong Kong is truly a must see destination for travel enthusiasts from far and wide.
Ranked by the Heritage Foundation as theworld's freest economy and China's safest city, it's easy to see why Hong Kong is such a great place for business and pleasure.
Hotels
Luxury Hotels
This fine and venerable old institute has beena landmark of hospitalityas well as the Kowloon skyline since 1928, when in the days before reclamation, it literally was, on the peninsula.Colonial area extravaganceis the order of the day with afternoon high tea and scones,奢侈品购物, a fleet of limousine Rolls Royces, helicopter trips and fine dining venues, all on tap for the well heeled.
The Peninsula Tower has been renovated recently, heraldingmore contemporary design featuresand smart technology, such as touch-screen tablets that control all room functions.Top restaurants Gaddi's and Spring Moonrequire reservations. Felix has a strict dress code and the city's best harbor-view men's room.
- Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2928 2888;
- Rooms from HK$5,180 (US$668). Inquire for our most up-to-date rate.
The Upper House — Admiralty, Hong Kong Island
Possibly Hong Kong's coolest hotel, where hip meets luxury and spaciousness, combined with outstanding views.For visiting celebrities, the Upper House is often the first choice. Environmental friendlinessis a stated aim here so expect paperless registration, seamless connectivity and energy saving hybrid Lexuses for sightseeing and transfers. Rooms include maxi-bars, where the room price already includes everything.
Room sizes starting ata whopping 68 square meters是located on and above Level 38 with stunning panoramic views of the city and harbor.
The Upper House top floor is the venue for Cafe Gray Deluxe by chef Gray Kunz. Besides amazing food which features "everyday dishes with an accent on the organic", this 49th floor restaurant is a top spot to observe Hong Kong's nightlySymphony of Lights.
- The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; +852 2918 1838;
- From HK$4,500 (US$580)
The Ritz Carlton — Kowloon
Since the relocation of the downtown airport at Kai Tak to Lantau, the tallest building is now on the Kowloon peninsula. The国际商业中心is a 118 storey skyscraper with thehighest hotel (Ritz Carlton) in the worldlocated on the 102nd to 118th floors.
Midrange Hotels
The Tai O Heritage Hotel — Lantau Island
The Tai O Heritage Hotel is a 110-year-old, Grade IIhistoric building, and was previously home to a marine police station. It has been tastefully converted into aboutique hotel.The hotel supports the Tai O community, operating as a non-profit social enterprise and has been in operation since March 2012.
It features nine bedrooms, arooftop restaurant and caféwith fine wine cellars. Ask about the scene of a shootout complete with bullet holes and look out for the cannons, guard towers and holding cells.
- Tai O Heritage Hotel, Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island; +852 2985 8383;
- Rooms begin at HK$1,380 (US$178)
The Stanford Hillview Hotel — Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
The Stanford Hillview Hotel is tucked away on Observatory Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. It benefits from being on the doorstep of Knutsford Terrace entertainment strip (see below) and one of Hong Kong's prime tourist and World class shopping districts. It's easy access from here to all points business and sightseeing in Kowloon.
Besides thegreat location, you get a respite from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Tsim Sha Tsui as the hotel is perched atop a small hill at the end of a cul-de-sac, backing on to theopen spacesof St Andrew's Church and the Hong Kong Observatory.
The hotel has won awards for itsservice excellenceand has a reputation for reasonable priced buffets.
- Observatory Road on Knutsford Terrace Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2722 7822
- Rooms from US$180
Budget Hotels
The Bishop Lei International House— Central, Hong Kong Island
The Bishop Lei International House is a bit of an anomaly as its 5-star address in mid-levels Hong Kong Island on Robinson Road would suggest a far more luxurious hotel. Rooms here are small and the service is less polished than you would find at other hotels close by. Still, it's agreat location for business travelersand is just a one-minute walk from the Central toMid-Levels escalators.
It's also ideal for anyone who wants to be close to theentertainment centersof Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo.
The hotel overlooksHong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, so unlike many budget hotels your room view comes with a spread of greenery instead of another high-rise just 12 feet from your window.
There's also anoutdoor swimmingpool and aconvenient shuttle busservice to Central, Admiralty and Wanchai if the close by escalator is still too far.
- 4 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels; +852 268 0828;
- Rooms from as low as HK$550 (US$71). Inquire for our most up-to-date price.
More hotels>>
Eat and Drink Hong Kong
The Globe — Central, Hong Kong Island
British cuisine, if there is such a thing has experienced a renaissance in recent years and a bar that has captured the hearts of many of the expat Brits in Hong Kong with its Great British fare and extensive range of fine ales is The Globe.
Its laid-back and unpretentious, with picnic bench seating andset lunches for under US$10. There's no pomp and circumstance here, just creatively remastered favourites like the Kate and Sid – that's steak and kidney pie to those who don't speak cockney rhyming slang.
With over60 brands of beer and cider, many of them on draught and from numerous nations to wash down the pie with, you are never lacking for choice at The Globe.
- 45 Graham St., Central; +852 2543 1941
- Pricing:moderate
Under the Bridge Spicy Crab — Wanchai Hong Kong Island
Under the Bridge Spicy Crab was so named after its original location and signature dish and has made areal reputationfor itself. Thesignature fried crabis deluged in fried garlic and chilies and can be ordered according to 5 levels of spiciness.
Such crab dishes originated in the nearby Causeway Bay typhoon shelter and were traditionally cooked by the Tanka boat people who made their homes on sampans and cooked freshly caught seafood. Besides the spices, the other ingredient is "good wok-wielding skills."
- Shop 6-9, G/F, 429 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai; +852 2573 7698
- Pricing:moderate
Dragon-i — Central, Hong Kong Island
Dragon-i is wannabe heaven, populated by models, tycoons, designers, artistes and all those who aspire to dizzying heights and hang on to those who've maybe already made it.
It's crowded andtrendy dance interioris also the place to be seen lounging on low comfy chairs. The outside terrace is wherebusiness is doneand most regulars keep their own bottle behind the bar. The doormen do something of a face check so if you don't get in first time, there's always a string of other bars on nearby Wyndham Street, frequented bythe hip and happening set.
The day time dim sum buffet at US$24 is one way of trying this 10 year oldentertainment iconand featuresfree flow dim sumdishes whilst you schmooze and people watch.
- UG/f, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham St., Central; +852 3110 1222
- Pricing:expensive
Tim Ho Wan — Central, Hong Kong Island
Tim Ho Wan are a chain ofDim-Sumrestaurants with reputedly thecheapest Michelinstarred restaurant in the World. Former Lung King Heen chef Pui Gor opened the first Tim Ho Wan in a hole-in-the-wall in Mong Kok, just a few years ago. There arebranches in many districtsof HK now including the most conveniently located one in Central.
Guests can eat 3–4 dim sum dishes for as little as US$10 and 1–2 hour queues can easily form, especially on weekends. Thesecret of their successis apparently steaming the dim sum to order rather than in advance and only using fresh, not previously frozen ingredients.
The oft imitated but never matched cha siu (barbequed pork)菠萝面包是一个签名.
This is what dim sum ought to be.
- Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1, IFC Mall), Central; +852 2332 3078;
- Pricing:cheap
The Chinnery in the Mandarin Oriental — Central, Hong Kong Island
The Chinnery is one of the firstgastro-pubsin Hong Kong (Dickens Bar in the Excelsior, Causeway Bay as another example), with a cozygentleman's club-like ambience.It is also the home of over 120rare single-malt whiskiesand some of the bestfish and chipsand chicken makhani in Hong Kong are served here.
The Chinneryofferswhisky trails, each of which provides tastes of five different whiskies that are alluring to both novices andconnoisseurs. Recommended Irish whiskies such as Jameson and Bushmills are good for beginners, having a "light and smooth finish" while aficionados will revel in the rare Lombard collection, which is irreplaceable as the distiller no longer exists.
- 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong SAR; +852 2825 4009
- Pricing:expensive
Also seeHong Kong Restaurants.
Shop Hong Kong
Retail therapy is a national pastime in Hong Kong and there are malls, markets, arcades, bazaars and street after street of retail outlets to suit every taste and budget.
Temple Street — Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
Temple StreetTemple Streetin Kowloon is fun,old style shoppingand entertainment at its best. A district as much forbudget consciouslocals as the legions of tourists that flock there.
Also known asmen's market, Temple Street is several hundred meters of market stalls peddling everything from socks and electronics to underwear, curios and fortune telling services, not to mentiondelicious, hot, fresh, street food下巴ese style, such as curried octopus tentacles and for the sweet toothed, waffles.
- Directions:Turn right on to Jordan Road out of Jordan MTR exit A and walk three blocks to Temple Street.
- Opening times:from 2pm, but most active from sundown until closure at midnight.
Ladies' Market — Mongkok, Kowloon
Mong Kok districtin Kowloon is one of the most densely populated places on earth and is just a few blocks north of Jordan and Temple Street. It's where everybody in Hong Kong goes to buy everything from fast food to fast computers.
Ladies' Marketin Mongkok, Kowloon is on Tung Choi Street, off the famousGolden Mile of Nathan Roadand sellscheap branded clothescopies andsouvenirs. Lots of fashion accessories such as handbags, purses, belts, cheap jewelry and shoes can be found here.
TheMongkok Computer Centreon Fa Yuen Street is one of several centers in Hong Kong where retailers concentrate to offer computers, software and accessories. Many of the products here are cheaper than those overseas and products that are normally only found in Japan and Korea can sometimes be found here.
Tung Choi Streetis another favorite location in Mongkok and is popular forsneakersas well as a concentration oftropical and ornamental fishretailers.
ThenDundas Streetis yet another fashionable haunt for young locals and Chinesejunk foodlovers.
- Directions:Take MTR to Mongkok and follow exit signs for the various shopping streets
- Pricing:cheap to moderate, not a venue for luxury goods
Stanley Market — Stanley, Hong Kong Island
Shopping at Stanley MarketStanley Marketwas once a place for hundreds of local garment factories to offload outsized overruns and seconds. These days it is stilla popular tourist destinationfor keen foreign shoppers looking forbrand name bargainsthat would cost two or three times as much back home, but is also home to severalgalleries of Asian art.
Stanley Apple Mall is the place for accessories, bags, cashmere gloves, scarves and berets.
The promenade in Stanley is loaded with eateries of every budget and taste, so grab some lunch or dinner here after hardbargaining at the marketorrelaxing on the nearby Stanley Main Beach. If you want to see Hong Kong's most southerlyoutlying island,Po Toi, where just a handful of villagers subsist by farming, fishing and seaweed production, then the boat leaves from nearbyBlake's Pier.
Further Reading:
- How to Plan a One-Day Middle-Budget Shopping Tour of Hong Kong
- How to Plan a One-Day High-Budget Shopping Tour of Hong Kong
Sightseeing
Hong Kong Global Geopark
Spectacular hexagonalvolcanic rock columns, sea caves, stacks and arches, as well as beaches and other landforms such as tombolos are thehighlights of the Geopark.
The Geo-Areas of Hong Kong Global Geopark of China cover about 50 square kilometers and include the Sai KungVolcanic Rock Regionand Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, which exhibit the geology of igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks respectively.
Each region composes four Geo-Areas and designated land and sea-based tour routes allow visitors to appreciate thediverse geological featuresandlandscapes of Hong Kong.
- Directions:Booking a guided tourmakes visiting easier.
The Big Buddha — Lantau Island
The Big Buddha in Lantau IslandPerched on one of several hilltops that surroundNgong Ping Plateauon Lantau Island,the Big Buddha(Tian Tan Buddha), at 34-meters-tall can been seen from many miles around. This is reputedly thebiggest outdoor seated bronze Buddha in the world.
The view of the Buddha from close up,Lantau Peak(HK's second highest mountain) as well as theSouth China Seaand theLantau Country Park是worth the 268 steps climb. However, the Buddha can be reached by an access road with special permission for aged or disabled visitors.
Po Lin Monasteryis a short walk from the Buddha and is an important Buddhist place of worship in Hong Kong which includes a vegetarian restaurant.
Tai O — Lantau Island
A short bus ride down the hill on Lantau's western tip sitsTai O, astilted fishing village. Dried and fresh seafood stalls, shrimp paste sellers, bakers and restaurants all cram the narrow village alleys and compete for your attention along with the manypink dolphintour operators.
These incredible and endangered porpoises are indigenous to the waters of thePearl River estuaryand sea waters off Lantau's coast.
It's a bit of trip out to Tai O, on the western tip of Lantau Island, but it's worth the effort to visit thisfishing villagethat has changed little in the last century.
The stilt houses and traditional wooden fishing boatshave featured in many Hong Kong film and TV productions and there are Kwan Tai and Yeung Hautemplesin the village that are a timeless snapshot of Chinese religious beliefs and practices.
Directions to Lantau for the Buddha and Tai O
The journey to Lantau can be asscenicas the island itself. A ferry from Pier 6 of theOutlying Ferry Pierin Central passes throughpicturesque Victoria Harboron its way to Mui Wo, from where bus number 2 takes you to Ngong Ping or Number 1 to Tai O.
Alternatively, take theMTR to Tung Chungon Lantau's north coast and take theNgong Ping 360 cable carto the Ngong PingBuddhist themed villagewith its shops and attractions.
The Peak — Hong Kong Island
The bird's view from Victoria Peak.For fine views of Hong Kong's amazing skylineVictoria Peak(The Peak)is a breathtaking 500 meters above sea level and the Central business district on Hong Kong Island. A near 180 degree spread showpiecesVictoria Harborfrom end to end with all of the iconicskyscrapersthat have sprung up in the last 30 years or so.
What have Jet Li, Barack Obama and Madonna all got in common? They are all found at thePeak Tower in Madame TussaudsHong Kong exhibition. Like its London parent, the exhibition portrays lifelikewaxwork imagesof the famous and sometimes infamous. Film and pop icons of the West as well as China and HK rub shoulders with politicians, royalty and comic book figures.
For an extended trip to the Peak, fresh air and outstanding views of the outlying islands of Hong Kong's western waters, walk the nearbyLugard Road path, which will take you around the Peak proper in about 50–60 minutes.
- Directions:Take bus number 15 from Exchange Square in Central or thePeak Funicular Tramfrom Garden Road in Central
Happy Valley Racecourse — Hong Kong Island
The British turned this malarial swamp in to a race course soon after they first arrived in the 1840s and it has been aworld class race tracksince the 1970s.
Even if you have no interest in gambling or picking a horse, you can still enjoy thefestive spiritand the wide range of food and beverage outlets you find at the track. The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Happy Valley Racecourse is the venue then on most Wednesday evenings for a 7 card line up of horse races. Check for seasonal opening times.
- Directions:Accessible from Causeway Bay MTR or Hong Kong trams with Happy Valley signage.
Getting Around in Style
Vintage modes of transport, theStar Ferry, andHong Kong tramways是still used every day in Hong Kong by thousands of commuters getting around on a regular basis, but are also great tourist experiences.
Star Ferry — Central (Hong Kong Island – Tsim Sha Tsui)
Operating since 1888,the Star Ferrywas the main way to get between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon peninsula until the opening of cross harbor vehicular tunnels and the Mass Transit Railway in the 60s.
Nonetheless, gently bobbing along to the ferry's engine beat as you marvel atHong Kong's skyline, day or night has been voted one of the most exciting and scenic rides of its kind. Thiscross harbor ferry ridealso famously featured as the opening scene in the 1960 movie, The World of Suzie Wong.
- Directions:Take the ferry from the Star Ferry pier in Central or Tsim Sha Tsui to the other side
Hong Kong Tramways — Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Tramways, founded in 1904, operates open trams (street cars) solely along the north of Hong Kong Island. They operate the largest fleet of double-decker tramcars in the World, more than 160, which includes two, restored vintage trams.
Look out for theopen upper deck tramsand take a ride in the evening when all theneon signscome to life to experience the best of the trams.
Travelling the whole length could take more than a couple of hours to complete, so sticking to the more commercial and shopping focused districts like Wanchai and Causeway Bay is a good idea. However, The route along North Point passes through the middle of anoutdoor wet market(Chun Yeung Street market) and is agood photo opportunity.
- Directions:Tram stops are frequent (every 100–200 meters) and run the length of the North coast of Hong Kong Island
After Dark
Wanchai — Hong Kong Island
Expats and Chinese alike throng to the nightlife haunts onJaffe, Luard and Lockhart Road in Wanchaiafter dark.
Thenightclubs, bars, fast food takeaways and restaurants是a colorful riot of action seven days a week. Many of thebest live bandsplaying in Hong Kong are at Wanchai bars likeAmazonia, Dusk til Dawn and Boracay.
Boasting over 7,000 sq ft,Escapeis the largest bar and disco in Wanchai, with its impressive 9-meterLong Island Barand the glow of the unique,state-of-the-art LED stageback drop display aptly called 'The LED Wall'.
Knutsford Terrace — Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Kowloon's answer toLan Kwai Fong, this traffic free, mews-like path behind a road, is an exciting little hideaway for a nightcap, supper or entertainment if you are in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Firm favorite, El Cidserves updelicious tapasand is on the Ground Floor at number 13 Knutsford Terrace so plenty of opportunity tosee and be seen.
Upmarket and on the first floor of 7 Knutsford Terrace isAmico Italian Wine Bar & Restaurantand for bar and entertainment tryBahama Mama's Caribbean BarandAll Night Longforlive music.
- Directions:Exit B2 of Tsim Sha Tsui MTR on Cameron Road, turn left on Carnarvon Road and follow this to the junction with Kimberley Road. The entrance to Knutsford Terrace is through a short, steep, covered path at the junction of these streets.
Also seeHong Kong Nightlife.
We Can Help You Tour HK's Key Places Your Way
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- Contact uswith your requirements fora perfectly tailored HK/China tour.
