Hong Kong, dos & don'ts
Dec 15th, 2006, 04:55 PM
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There are lots of "to dos" already written in this forum, so here are some "don'ts":
- Don't bother with a dinner harbor cruise. Instead, just take the Star Ferry for fraction of the cost; and if you're there on Thursday or Saturday, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has a Chinese junk that provides 1hr tour for free. Go ASAP to one of their office with a passport in hand to get tickets.
- Don't bother with the new Disneyland.
- Don't bother with the new Wetland Park either. It's not bad, per se, but not enough birds there to warrant the time and effort of going there.
- Don't forget to ask about prices first when you order seafood dishes. Many items have floating prices, and seafood are sold in taels (~40g, or ~1.2oz). Ask carefully to avoid a surprise when getting the bill.
- Don't bother with buying electronics. Many stores are less than honest, and you may not get warranty back in your home country even when buying at an official retailer.
- Don't go to karaokes, internet bars, saunas and "health centers" with yellow signs in Mongkok. They are not what you think.
- Don't walk too slow in crowded areas of you'll get run over.
- Don't take red 16-seat minibuses.
That's all I have for now. May add others when I can think of them.
- Don't bother with a dinner harbor cruise. Instead, just take the Star Ferry for fraction of the cost; and if you're there on Thursday or Saturday, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has a Chinese junk that provides 1hr tour for free. Go ASAP to one of their office with a passport in hand to get tickets.
- Don't bother with the new Disneyland.
- Don't bother with the new Wetland Park either. It's not bad, per se, but not enough birds there to warrant the time and effort of going there.
- Don't forget to ask about prices first when you order seafood dishes. Many items have floating prices, and seafood are sold in taels (~40g, or ~1.2oz). Ask carefully to avoid a surprise when getting the bill.
- Don't bother with buying electronics. Many stores are less than honest, and you may not get warranty back in your home country even when buying at an official retailer.
- Don't go to karaokes, internet bars, saunas and "health centers" with yellow signs in Mongkok. They are not what you think.
- Don't walk too slow in crowded areas of you'll get run over.
- Don't take red 16-seat minibuses.
That's all I have for now. May add others when I can think of them.
Dec 15th, 2006, 08:28 PM
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- Don't just rely on the MTR. In Kowloon, take one of the very frequent buses between Tsimshatsui Ferry and Mongkok (#1, 1A, 2, 6, 6A, 9) instead of trying to squeeze on the crowded MTR. Similarly, on Hong Kong Island, the tramway is an interesting alternative to the MTR between Causeway Bay and Central/Sheung Wan.
- Don't have to tip taxi drivers or at restaurants anymore. Well, if you feel you MUST tip, then 5% is more than enough. Many places still have 10% service charge tagged on already.
- Don't think the Airport Express is the only way to get to/from airport. Most locals use one of the buses, and taxis remain a viable alternative for many destinations.
- Don't have to tip taxi drivers or at restaurants anymore. Well, if you feel you MUST tip, then 5% is more than enough. Many places still have 10% service charge tagged on already.
- Don't think the Airport Express is the only way to get to/from airport. Most locals use one of the buses, and taxis remain a viable alternative for many destinations.
Dec 16th, 2006, 12:38 AM
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Don’t just think it’s just about shopping, Hong Kong is more than 40% parkland, get out into it. Walking and hiking are excellent here, there are many good trails, esp right on Hong Kong Island itself. Many are flat, some are very challenging; it depends on what you want, and time of year; i.e, in the really hot summer months you may want to avoid more challenging trails unless you start early in the morning.
Don’t look at the signs in English, the English spoken by the people, the skyscrapers and think it’s “westernized”. Dig a little deeper. A simple thing is to look at the elevator floor panels and realize there is no usually 4th floor, no 14th floor, no 24th floor, etc; as the number 4 sounds like “death” in Cantonese. The thin veneer of “western” culture peels away very easily. Get out into some of the neighborhoods beyond Nathan Road on the Kowloon side and Central on Hong Kong Island side, as just a few blocks from these areas there is lots of traditional Chinese life going on.
Don’t forget to do some reading before your trip on Hong Kong history and you may appreciate it more. Jan Morris’ book, called Hong Kong is a good start. While some of it is dated, most of the background history is very helpful and of course she writes so beautifully you don’t mind the dated stuff. There are several good history books as well. There is a book called Myself a Mandarin by Austin Coates is an interesting series of stories about the author’s life in Hong Kong. The former governor, Chris Patten, has written a very good book on contemporary politics called Not Quite the Diplomat. For cultural tips, there is a book called Culture Shock! Hong Kong which is helpful; its one of series of books on living in various countries. For fiction, Tai Pan or Noble House by James Clavell is a good place to start, it is loosely based on real events, or the Honorable Schoolboy by John Le Carre if you like suspense/mysteries. Movies are a substitute for books, but there aren’t a lot shot in Hong Kong besides The World of Suzie Wong and Love is a Many Splendoured Thing, neither of which depicts reality in Hong Kong any longer. Perhaps some kung foo movies…
Don’t forget to go to some temples; there are many here and most of them seem empty of tourists. Do some reading on the local favourite gods and goddess and how temples are laid out, as there is a common layout that once you understand you can that you can understand all temples and IMO appreciate them more. The Wong Tai Sin Temple is fun, it’s the fortune tellers’ temple and is usually crowded, but there are many others that are usually not at all crowded and you can take your time to really explore them. The Tin Hau temple near the Jade Market in Kowloon is very nice, as is the Man Mo temple on Hollywood Road, these are in all the guide books; but there are others too.
Don’t come in the summer if you can help it, it’s so hot and humid and it rains a lot. FYI. summer lasts from about late March to about mid-October. If you come during those months, don’t forget your umbrella.
If you want a list of things to do (and some not to do), click on my name above, and look for a post called " Reccos for What the Locals Do for Fun in Hong Kong (Hint: We DON’T Go to those Awful Night Markets....)" That should keep you busy....
Don’t look at the signs in English, the English spoken by the people, the skyscrapers and think it’s “westernized”. Dig a little deeper. A simple thing is to look at the elevator floor panels and realize there is no usually 4th floor, no 14th floor, no 24th floor, etc; as the number 4 sounds like “death” in Cantonese. The thin veneer of “western” culture peels away very easily. Get out into some of the neighborhoods beyond Nathan Road on the Kowloon side and Central on Hong Kong Island side, as just a few blocks from these areas there is lots of traditional Chinese life going on.
Don’t forget to do some reading before your trip on Hong Kong history and you may appreciate it more. Jan Morris’ book, called Hong Kong is a good start. While some of it is dated, most of the background history is very helpful and of course she writes so beautifully you don’t mind the dated stuff. There are several good history books as well. There is a book called Myself a Mandarin by Austin Coates is an interesting series of stories about the author’s life in Hong Kong. The former governor, Chris Patten, has written a very good book on contemporary politics called Not Quite the Diplomat. For cultural tips, there is a book called Culture Shock! Hong Kong which is helpful; its one of series of books on living in various countries. For fiction, Tai Pan or Noble House by James Clavell is a good place to start, it is loosely based on real events, or the Honorable Schoolboy by John Le Carre if you like suspense/mysteries. Movies are a substitute for books, but there aren’t a lot shot in Hong Kong besides The World of Suzie Wong and Love is a Many Splendoured Thing, neither of which depicts reality in Hong Kong any longer. Perhaps some kung foo movies…
Don’t forget to go to some temples; there are many here and most of them seem empty of tourists. Do some reading on the local favourite gods and goddess and how temples are laid out, as there is a common layout that once you understand you can that you can understand all temples and IMO appreciate them more. The Wong Tai Sin Temple is fun, it’s the fortune tellers’ temple and is usually crowded, but there are many others that are usually not at all crowded and you can take your time to really explore them. The Tin Hau temple near the Jade Market in Kowloon is very nice, as is the Man Mo temple on Hollywood Road, these are in all the guide books; but there are others too.
Don’t come in the summer if you can help it, it’s so hot and humid and it rains a lot. FYI. summer lasts from about late March to about mid-October. If you come during those months, don’t forget your umbrella.
If you want a list of things to do (and some not to do), click on my name above, and look for a post called " Reccos for What the Locals Do for Fun in Hong Kong (Hint: We DON’T Go to those Awful Night Markets....)" That should keep you busy....
Dec 17th, 2006, 03:12 PM
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rkkan - "Don't go to karaokes, internet bars, saunas and "health centers" with yellow signs in Mongkok. They are not what you think."
OK, you've got me wondering - what ARE they?
OK, you've got me wondering - what ARE they?
Dec 17th, 2006, 05:46 PM
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Seamus - Do I really have to spell it out?
Anyways, prostitution is illegal in Hong Kong, though usually the client won't get into trouble unless someone's under 18. Most of the time, those ladies are from China with a tourist visa, and are over 18. But during summer time or holidays, a lot of underage local schoolgirls may also be working.
Anyways, prostitution is illegal in Hong Kong, though usually the client won't get into trouble unless someone's under 18. Most of the time, those ladies are from China with a tourist visa, and are over 18. But during summer time or holidays, a lot of underage local schoolgirls may also be working.
Dec 17th, 2006, 07:45 PM
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Oh - duh!
Saunas or "health centers" I would have figured, but not internet bars. So the yellow sign is the tip off, huh? Geez... you really do learn something new every day here in Fodorville!
Saunas or "health centers" I would have figured, but not internet bars. So the yellow sign is the tip off, huh? Geez... you really do learn something new every day here in Fodorville!
Dec 18th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Thanks for all the "don'ts" from rkkwan and Cicerone.
Seamus, it's the same in the U.S., SF city hall is "trying" to crack down on massage parlors, the sad thing is some of them are staffed by under-aged Asians brought into the country and held against their will.
Seamus, it's the same in the U.S., SF city hall is "trying" to crack down on massage parlors, the sad thing is some of them are staffed by under-aged Asians brought into the country and held against their will.
Dec 18th, 2006, 10:04 AM
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I'm currently in Hong Kong. Here are my Dos and Don'ts.
- Do bus up the Peak and take the PeakTram down. And do wear a jacket because it's windy up there. But, don't eat at Cafe Deco Bar and Grill. The food was pricey and horrible. I was told that I had only 1.5 hours, but I walked out in 35 minutes.
(@rkkwan: The viewing area at the Peak has been moved to top floor.)
- Do walk through Lan Kwai Fong Street. But, don't buy any overpriced beverages.
- Do shop at Wellcome supermarket instead of 7-eleven.
- Do stay at Booth Lodge Hotel. It's clean, convenient, and inexpensive.
- Do get an Octopus card. Use it for subway/bus/ferry/tram rides or purchases at Mcdonald, 7-eleven, Wellcome, and so on.
- Do go to restaurant before 6:30pm to a void waiting.
- Do watch for oncoming traffic before crossing the street where there's no lights. HK drivers do not yield to predestrians. Be very careful.
- Do climb the Lion Rock Mountain if you like hiking.
- Do bus up the Peak and take the PeakTram down. And do wear a jacket because it's windy up there. But, don't eat at Cafe Deco Bar and Grill. The food was pricey and horrible. I was told that I had only 1.5 hours, but I walked out in 35 minutes.
(@rkkwan: The viewing area at the Peak has been moved to top floor.)
- Do walk through Lan Kwai Fong Street. But, don't buy any overpriced beverages.
- Do shop at Wellcome supermarket instead of 7-eleven.
- Do stay at Booth Lodge Hotel. It's clean, convenient, and inexpensive.
- Do get an Octopus card. Use it for subway/bus/ferry/tram rides or purchases at Mcdonald, 7-eleven, Wellcome, and so on.
- Do go to restaurant before 6:30pm to a void waiting.
- Do watch for oncoming traffic before crossing the street where there's no lights. HK drivers do not yield to predestrians. Be very careful.
- Do climb the Lion Rock Mountain if you like hiking.
Dec 18th, 2006, 10:19 AM
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j_4tay - How's the air quality in Hong Kong these days? It was horrid in November when I was there. Visibility on clear days was less than the ~6km between the Peak and Lion Rock.
Anyways, I have eaten Cafe Deco twice before and liked it. Sorry to hear you didn't like it.
I actually like buying stuff from 7-Eleven and Circle Ks. There are usually lines at Park'n Shop or Wellcome. Staff are usually friendier too.
Very good point about going to restaurants early, especially the popular ones. Locals get off work late and eat late.
Here are a couple of communications tips:
- Do go to Pacific Coffee and use their free computer terminals to check email (their coffee prices are about the same as here in the US).
- Do buy a cellular SIM card from Sunday, if you have an unlocked GSM 900/1800 phone. HK$48 (just over US$5) for the starter kit, and you get like 200 minuetes of local talk time.
Anyways, I have eaten Cafe Deco twice before and liked it. Sorry to hear you didn't like it.
I actually like buying stuff from 7-Eleven and Circle Ks. There are usually lines at Park'n Shop or Wellcome. Staff are usually friendier too.
Very good point about going to restaurants early, especially the popular ones. Locals get off work late and eat late.
Here are a couple of communications tips:
- Do go to Pacific Coffee and use their free computer terminals to check email (their coffee prices are about the same as here in the US).
- Do buy a cellular SIM card from Sunday, if you have an unlocked GSM 900/1800 phone. HK$48 (just over US$5) for the starter kit, and you get like 200 minuetes of local talk time.
Dec 18th, 2006, 06:12 PM
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ecoloney - Read my posts in this long thread. Or search "rkkwan Octopus" for even more threads. [No, I don't have eight limbs.]
Going from airport to Kowloon after 8pm is the same as going during the day. You main choices are:
Taxi, Airport Express train (connected to shuttle or taxi), hotel shuttle, airport bus, non-airport bus, bus-to-MTR
The method you use depends on where you're going, your budget, amount of luggage, etc... There's not a single "best way".
Going from airport to Kowloon after 8pm is the same as going during the day. You main choices are:
Taxi, Airport Express train (connected to shuttle or taxi), hotel shuttle, airport bus, non-airport bus, bus-to-MTR
The method you use depends on where you're going, your budget, amount of luggage, etc... There's not a single "best way".
Dec 18th, 2006, 06:12 PM
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Dec 20th, 2006, 04:35 AM
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Don't go to Ngong Ping at the weekend! we are just back from Hong Kong, and went on a Saturday, we took the MTR from Kowloon to Tung Chung, the queue was long, just to buy the ticket took over 40 minutes, then the lines to board took another 30 minutes. If you have to go at the weekend maybe do the trip in reverse (as rkkwan did) the cars coming down past us were virtually empty just a few in each, all the cars going up were filled with 10 in each, very squashed.
Dec 20th, 2006, 06:43 AM
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I went to Ngong Ping today. Following rkkwan route, I
1. took the ferry from Central to Mui Wo (about 45 minute). DO take the ferry from Kowloon to Central; otherwise, you will have to walk 10 minutes to the new pier if you take the MTR.
2. took bus #1 to Tai O (about 30 minutes). It's a small fishermen's village. Everybody knows each other. I ate a bowl of sweet sesame soup ($7).
3. took bus #21 to Ngong Ping. The bus leaves once every hour.
DO wear a thick jacket when going to Ngong Ping. Like the Peak, it's always windy and cold.
4. took skyrail from Ngong Ping to Tung Chung. rkkwan, I understand why you dislike Ngong Ping. The Starbucks, 7-eleven, and other stores are so close to the big buddha and temple. I personally feel Po Lin Chi is too commercialized. The temple is like a business.
@rkkwan,
The air in HK is actually OK, except on the Kowloon side. I can barely breathe when walking on Nathan Road. It's worse from 6pm to 8:30pm. The road is packed with people and the street is full of automobiles releasing carbon dioxide.
1. took the ferry from Central to Mui Wo (about 45 minute). DO take the ferry from Kowloon to Central; otherwise, you will have to walk 10 minutes to the new pier if you take the MTR.
2. took bus #1 to Tai O (about 30 minutes). It's a small fishermen's village. Everybody knows each other. I ate a bowl of sweet sesame soup ($7).
3. took bus #21 to Ngong Ping. The bus leaves once every hour.
DO wear a thick jacket when going to Ngong Ping. Like the Peak, it's always windy and cold.
4. took skyrail from Ngong Ping to Tung Chung. rkkwan, I understand why you dislike Ngong Ping. The Starbucks, 7-eleven, and other stores are so close to the big buddha and temple. I personally feel Po Lin Chi is too commercialized. The temple is like a business.
@rkkwan,
The air in HK is actually OK, except on the Kowloon side. I can barely breathe when walking on Nathan Road. It's worse from 6pm to 8:30pm. The road is packed with people and the street is full of automobiles releasing carbon dioxide.
