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:

• Privately hired car service/ hotel airport transfer
• Rent-a-car
• Taxi Cab
• Bus
• MTR's Airport Express

Transportation within the city:

• Taxi Cab
• Bus
• Mass Transit Railway (MTR)

Hotel Options:

• Citygarden Hotel (Fortress Hill MTR)
• Novotel (City Gate Plaza)
• L Hotel (Tin Hau MTR)
• Metro Park Hotel (Tin Hau MTR)

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)