Sunday, August 29, 1999

Hong Kong Guide #1

Updated: August 2009

Disclaimer: The below recommendations are based on the author's own preferences/experience. It is by no way the only way to enjoy Hong Kong but it is to help you further get the Hong Kong Experience. Thank you!

Getting to Hong Kong City:
Upon arrival in Hong Kong International Airport, you have one or more options of getting to the city:



Transportation within the city:

Hotel Options:



There might be some deals offered and since you are near the shopping places like Causeway Bay/Tin Hau (near Admiralty MTR - where you can get the shuttle to Ocean Park), near the MTR in general for convenience, near the Citygate Outlet mall (and Disney). I know the first hotel has good deals but best to check.I know the rooms at Novotel is big so families might find this is as a good deal. :)
There are also private service apartments ready for rental but these change constantly so you would have to do more research on this.

Shopping Options:
CLOTHS
~ The Musts :
HK side


  • Causeway Bay
    Island Shopping Centre
    Lane Crawford
    Times Square


  • Central


  • Wan Chai


  • Central


  • Sheung Wan



Kowloon side




  • Tsim Sha Tsui


  • Mongkok
    Night Market: Ladies Market, Sai Yung Choi Steet South (Gadget), Temple Street (Men's Market), Bird Garden, Fa Yuen Street (Sneaker Street), Flower Market, Goldfish Market, Tile Street (construction materials), Photocopy Street (books and photocopy centers), Portland Street (de facto red-light district)
    Shopping Centres: Mongkok Computer Centre, Sino Centre Arcade, Ho King Shopping Centre, Grand Century Place, Langham Place, Argyle Centre
  • Prince Edward
    Wedding Building
  • Kowloon
    Elements

~ Off-the-beaten path/Outlets

  • CityGate Plaza : mass brands and accessories like Laura Ashley (cloths and home), Kate Spade, Lanvin, Alfred Dunhill, Ralph Lauren, Evita Peroni, Esprit (biggest I've ever seen), Michael's (Thomas the Train), Crabtree & Evelyn, awesome food court, etc

  • Horizon Plaza (directions, see below): some of the deparmtnet store outlets are Lane Crawford, Joyce while some of the brand names are Moschino, Paul Smith, Blumarine, Maxmara


HOME FURNISHINGS/FURNITURES

  • Ap Lei Chau, Horizon Plaza:
    By Private Car: From Central, take the Aberdeen Tunnel and drive along Wong Chuk Hang Road and follow signs for Ap Lei Chau. Go straight on Ap Lei Chau Bridge Road and follow signs for Ap Lei Chau West/Industrial Estates straight through two traffic lights then keep in the left lane and bear left on Lee Nam Road. This brings you straight though one traffic light to the back side of the island. Soon you will see Horizon Plaza, turn left in front of the building for the parking entrance on Lee Wing Street. One Hour FREE parking on the 2nd floor.

    By Taxi: you can show the below to taxi driver

    Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, HK

GADGETS/ELECTRONICS:

  • Wan Chai Computer Centre

  • Windsor House Computer Centre


Attractions:



  • Ding Ding' Hong Kong Tram, discover the Hong Kong heritage that used to be the only mode of public transportation


  • Duk Ling Ride (Chinese Junk Ride), infuse yourself to the beauty of a Chinese junk while admiring the coastal views of Hong Kong


  • Hong Kong Disneyland, release the "inner child" within you without having to fly to the US


  • Ocean Park, geared to teenagers - adults will surely enjoy this as much as the kiddies of the family


  • Ngong Ping 360, a 360 view of Hong Kong via cable car

  • Food Tripping Options:
    ~ The Musts:

    • Vietnamese
      Rice Paper,locations in Harbor City (Kowloon), World Trade Centre (Causeway Bay)

    • Cantonese / Dimsum
      Lei Garden, locations in North Point and International Financial Centre (IFC) @Central
      The Square, The Exchange Building, Central
      West Villa, Carolyn Centre (CWB), don't miss the BBQ Pork (special recipe)
    • Shanghainese
      Crystal Jade, various locations around the city
      Din Tai Fung, Kowloon

    • Japanese
      Mi Ne Sushi, Pak Sha Road @CWB: conveyor belt sushi
      Hip Sushi @World Trade Ctr CWB
      Tonkichi Japanese Restaurant: best Tonkatsu's in town; set meals have unlimited rice and veggies @World Trade Ctr CWB

    • Cafes / High Tea
      Agnes b Cafe, locations in Causeway Bay, Central, amp, etc
      Four Season's Lobby Lounge for high tea, International Financial Centre (IFC) @Central
      Cova, various locations
      Mandarin Oriental's Café Causette

    • Burgers
      Mos Burger, beside Jusco Department Store @Tai Koo
      Shake 'Em Buns, behind Lee Garden @CWB

    • Steaks
      Lawry's Steak House, Lee Garden @CWB
      Steak Expert, various locations even one in CityGate Plaza
      Ruth Chris Steak House @Lippo Centre Admiralty

    • Fine Dining
      Spoon by Alain Ducasse @InterContinental Hong Kong
      L'Atelier de Joel Robouchon @Landmark Central
      Pierre @Mandarin Oriental Central
      Peking Garden @Alexandra House Central

    ~ Off-the-beaten path / Cheap Thrills
    • Porkchop Veggie Rice: Delicious Kitchen, Causeway Bay

    • Food stalls around the area of Causeway Bay, Mongkok, etc (don't worry - these are under regular sanitation checks by the government)

    • Curry Beef Noodles: Kau Kee

    • Soupy Tomato: across Kau Kee, if the lines are too long, you can go across (make-shift tables and roofs with one mobile kitchen - awesome harty tomato soup with noodles or macaroni, with various toppings, etc; must also try their condensed milk with butter toast)

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