Hong Kong - walking from Pacific Place to IFC (four seasons)
Jul 6th, 2011, 08:42 AM
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Hong Kong - walking from Pacific Place to IFC (four seasons)
Would like to know if it is possible to safely walk from Pacific Place (Conrad) to IFC mall (Four Seasons) during week, during the day alone. Have been to Hong Kong before for short visits and shopped in Kowloon side, but never in Central / Admiralty, etc. I prefer to walk than to take MTR or Bus, so any advice on if this is a short distance and approx. how long it might take?
Also, is the Pedder Building in the vicinity? I understand there are shops there too.
thanks
Also, is the Pedder Building in the vicinity? I understand there are shops there too.
thanks
Jul 6th, 2011, 09:48 AM
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It's about a half-mile, maybe a bit less, to the Pedder Bldg, and maybe another 5 mins to IFC/Four Seasons. Like the rest of Hong Kong, it's absolutely safe to walk. For a nicer walk, go through Hong Kong Park and then walk down the hill to Central. (To get to Hong Kong Park, go out the front door of the Conrad, and turn right. Walk about 100 yds, and you're there. HK Park is also a particularly pleasant place to get away from the hustle of the city and while away some time.)
Don
Don
Jul 6th, 2011, 06:11 PM
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The fastest and easiest route from Conrad to 4S is about a mile and takes close to 20 minutes:
Cross the bridge over Queesway to Queensway Plaza. Walk through the shops to and continue on the bridge across Cotton Tree Drive. Follow the bridge over to Bank of America Tower and then get down to street level on Charter Road. Pass Statue Square and then take the pedestrian subway under Connaught Road Central towards the General Post Office (where Star Ferry used to be). After passing the GPO, cross the street and enter ifc.
If you want to pass by the Pedder Building, you can indeed go through HK Park like Don says, and pass the Bank of China and HSBC towers. About 0.6 mile and will take over 10 minutes. From the Pedder Building to the 4S, it's itself about 0.4 mile and will take more than 5 minutes.
Cross the bridge over Queesway to Queensway Plaza. Walk through the shops to and continue on the bridge across Cotton Tree Drive. Follow the bridge over to Bank of America Tower and then get down to street level on Charter Road. Pass Statue Square and then take the pedestrian subway under Connaught Road Central towards the General Post Office (where Star Ferry used to be). After passing the GPO, cross the street and enter ifc.
If you want to pass by the Pedder Building, you can indeed go through HK Park like Don says, and pass the Bank of China and HSBC towers. About 0.6 mile and will take over 10 minutes. From the Pedder Building to the 4S, it's itself about 0.4 mile and will take more than 5 minutes.
Jul 14th, 2011, 06:57 PM
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I can’t tell if you intend to do this walk more than once. If only making one trip, you might just want to take a taxi or bus and save a walk for something maybe more scenic or interesting (like the street markets in Peel and Graham Streets). But some suggestions are below:
1. It is perfectly safe to walk any time of the day or night. It will take about half an hour to walk between the two (well, that is how long it takes me, but in the heat I walk slow). Bear in mind that high temps --- and more importantly-- humidity from April-October and frequent rain can make this walk less than ideal. Not to mention typhoons. Right now it is raining rather heavily, is 85F and 95% humidity. This has been going on all week; not atypical for this time of year, but not the best walking weather. Some walking directions are at the bottom.
2. The Pedder Building can be incorporated into this walk. There are some shops there, but I will say that the type of shops in the building has changed quite a bit over the years and it may not be the best place for a tourist any longer. Mothercare and baby toy stores have replaced what used to be a building of factory outlets. (There was also just an article in the paper that about half the building is to be taken over by Abercrombie and Fitch for their main store, so if your trip is later this year, the building may be closed, or its nature may have changed entirely.) There are still some shops selling Chanel suits at a discount (assuming you can wear an American size 2), but many of the other outlets shops have closed. There are several cashmere shops in the Pedder Building, be <i>very</i> wary of these, I have bought what turned out to be fake cashmere there in the past. The wonderful (and expensive ) Blanc de Chine is still there. Shanghai Tang’s main store is there, but there is also an outlet in Pacific Place Mall (where the Conrad is located) so you may want to look there first to see if anything interests you; their selection will be a bit larger at the main store. If there is something in particular you are looking for, let us know, as we may be able to point you to better places. If you just want to wander to shop, IMO, you are better off in Causeway Bay which has a huge collection of shops.
3. A taxi will take about 6 minutes and cost about HK$25 (about USS$3.50), so that might be a good option, esp in rain or late in the evening. (Make sure the driver takes the highway and does not go through Central, which will slow you down, esp at lunch and rush hours).
4. There are numerous bus choices. The 6, 6X, 66, 75, 90, 97, 260, 690 will pick you up at Pacific Place Shopping Mall (where the Conrad is located) and terminate in the Central Bus Terminus, which is underneath the Exchange Square Building next to the building/mall in which the Four Seasons is located. This bus ride will vary in length, in non-rush hours, should be less than 15 minutes. At lunch and between 5-7 pm, it will take longer. Fare will be about HKS$3.50 (US$ .50 cents).
To get to the Pacific Place Mall bus station from the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 1. (There are also escalators here which will take you in two series of escalators to L1). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn left when you get to L1. Look for a Body Shop and facing that, you want to walk to the left.) Once in the atrium area, go out any door and turn right, the bus stops are along the street here in front of the mall. Look for the small sign which matches the bus you want to take, they stop in different areas along a stretch of about 15 yards.
Pacific Place is a major bus stop, and virtually any bus you see will go to or quite close to the IFC Mall. The ones above terminate at the Central Bus Terminus in Exchange Square, which makes it very hard to get lost: you get off when the bus enters the garage area and turns the engine off. You then take an escalator up to the mall or elevated walkways, and walk to the Four Seasons either through the IFC Mall, or along the elevated walkway running along Connaught Road.
5. It is possible to take the street tram which stops at Pacific Place. This would take 15 minutes or so, and cost HK$2.20. Enter at the back and pay as you get off. One slight issue for you will be to know where to get off, as stops are not announced. The tram stops at every stop (unlike buses which do not stop unless picking up passengers or if a passenger on board has hit the stop button), so you need to count. IMO your best way to go is to get off at the 2nd stop (Des Voeux Road and Pedder Street). This is a very busy street corner and lots of people will get off. Once off the tram, look for the huge electronic billboard on the opposite corner, you want to cross over to be underneath that. This will require crossing Pedder and then crossing Des Voeux (the one with the tram tracks o it). Once under the billboard, walk down Pedder keeping the billboard building on your left. Look for a flight of stairs going from the street on your right a few yards down. Take these stairs up. Turn right, then take the next immediate left. Take this across the busy street below, and then take another left. You will then follow this elevated covered pedestrian walkway for 300 yards or so, past several open plaza areas leading to different buildings on the right and a few pedestrian bridges coming in from the left. You will come to the glass doors of the IFC Mall. Go right, up a few stairs, across the circular atrium and out the glass doors on the far left. This will lead you to a walkway to the Four Seasons.
To get to the Pacific Place Mall tram stop from the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 2. (There are also escalators here which will take you down one flight to L2). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn right and then follow along past the Harvey Nichols department store (currently closed for renovation, not sure when you trip is) Once in the atrium area, look across the open space and you will see a sky bridge. Go around the open space to the sky bridge and walk halfway across it, you will see a set of stairs going down to the left in the middle of the sky bridge. The tram stop is at the bottom. You want to take trams on the opposite side of the stairs, so cross the tracks. (With your back to Pacific Place, you want trams heading to the left/west).
6. The MTR is not really a good option as it is only one stop, and it’s a bit of a walk to the Admiralty station and then quite a long walk underground from the Central MTR station to the Four Seasons.
7. As mentioned above, there is a way to do a lot of this by covered walkway; but IMO you may find this confusing given the plethora of intersecting elevated walkways you will encounter on that trip. I personally would take the street walk, as you are least likely to get lost:
-- From the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 1. (There are also escalators here which will take you down in two series of escalators to L1). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn left when you get to L1. Look for a Body Shop and facing that, you want to walk to the left.) Once in the atrium area, go out any door and turn left.
-- Walk along this busy road with the tram running down the middle (Queensway), you will cross at one light, then will pass the Bank of China building on your left (you can go up to the 50th floor or so where there is a public viewing area. You will come to another light. Cross here, and continue straight. You are now in the main business district of Central. Walk for a few blocks, crossing one street at the light, and then 1 street with no light. At the next light, you will be a major downtown intersection (Queens Road and Pedder Street). Turn right and cross, then immediately turn left and cross again. Turn right and walk down Pedder. (The Pedder Building, mentioned above is about 20 yards down on the right, kind of hard to distinguish it, you may see the Shanghai Tang sign). If not stopping to shop, continue down the block to the next light. Cross the street and start looking for a set of stairs on the right going up from the street. Take these stairs up. Turn right, then the immediate next left. Take this across the busy street below, and then take another left. You will then follow this elevated covered pedestrian walkway for 300 yards or so, past several open plaza areas leading to different buildings on the right and a few pedestrian bridges coming in from the left. You will come to the glass doors of the IFC Mall on the right. Go right, up a few stairs, across the circular atrium and out the glass doors on the far left. This will lead you to a walkway to the Four Seasons.
1. It is perfectly safe to walk any time of the day or night. It will take about half an hour to walk between the two (well, that is how long it takes me, but in the heat I walk slow). Bear in mind that high temps --- and more importantly-- humidity from April-October and frequent rain can make this walk less than ideal. Not to mention typhoons. Right now it is raining rather heavily, is 85F and 95% humidity. This has been going on all week; not atypical for this time of year, but not the best walking weather. Some walking directions are at the bottom.
2. The Pedder Building can be incorporated into this walk. There are some shops there, but I will say that the type of shops in the building has changed quite a bit over the years and it may not be the best place for a tourist any longer. Mothercare and baby toy stores have replaced what used to be a building of factory outlets. (There was also just an article in the paper that about half the building is to be taken over by Abercrombie and Fitch for their main store, so if your trip is later this year, the building may be closed, or its nature may have changed entirely.) There are still some shops selling Chanel suits at a discount (assuming you can wear an American size 2), but many of the other outlets shops have closed. There are several cashmere shops in the Pedder Building, be <i>very</i> wary of these, I have bought what turned out to be fake cashmere there in the past. The wonderful (and expensive ) Blanc de Chine is still there. Shanghai Tang’s main store is there, but there is also an outlet in Pacific Place Mall (where the Conrad is located) so you may want to look there first to see if anything interests you; their selection will be a bit larger at the main store. If there is something in particular you are looking for, let us know, as we may be able to point you to better places. If you just want to wander to shop, IMO, you are better off in Causeway Bay which has a huge collection of shops.
3. A taxi will take about 6 minutes and cost about HK$25 (about USS$3.50), so that might be a good option, esp in rain or late in the evening. (Make sure the driver takes the highway and does not go through Central, which will slow you down, esp at lunch and rush hours).
4. There are numerous bus choices. The 6, 6X, 66, 75, 90, 97, 260, 690 will pick you up at Pacific Place Shopping Mall (where the Conrad is located) and terminate in the Central Bus Terminus, which is underneath the Exchange Square Building next to the building/mall in which the Four Seasons is located. This bus ride will vary in length, in non-rush hours, should be less than 15 minutes. At lunch and between 5-7 pm, it will take longer. Fare will be about HKS$3.50 (US$ .50 cents).
To get to the Pacific Place Mall bus station from the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 1. (There are also escalators here which will take you in two series of escalators to L1). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn left when you get to L1. Look for a Body Shop and facing that, you want to walk to the left.) Once in the atrium area, go out any door and turn right, the bus stops are along the street here in front of the mall. Look for the small sign which matches the bus you want to take, they stop in different areas along a stretch of about 15 yards.
Pacific Place is a major bus stop, and virtually any bus you see will go to or quite close to the IFC Mall. The ones above terminate at the Central Bus Terminus in Exchange Square, which makes it very hard to get lost: you get off when the bus enters the garage area and turns the engine off. You then take an escalator up to the mall or elevated walkways, and walk to the Four Seasons either through the IFC Mall, or along the elevated walkway running along Connaught Road.
5. It is possible to take the street tram which stops at Pacific Place. This would take 15 minutes or so, and cost HK$2.20. Enter at the back and pay as you get off. One slight issue for you will be to know where to get off, as stops are not announced. The tram stops at every stop (unlike buses which do not stop unless picking up passengers or if a passenger on board has hit the stop button), so you need to count. IMO your best way to go is to get off at the 2nd stop (Des Voeux Road and Pedder Street). This is a very busy street corner and lots of people will get off. Once off the tram, look for the huge electronic billboard on the opposite corner, you want to cross over to be underneath that. This will require crossing Pedder and then crossing Des Voeux (the one with the tram tracks o it). Once under the billboard, walk down Pedder keeping the billboard building on your left. Look for a flight of stairs going from the street on your right a few yards down. Take these stairs up. Turn right, then take the next immediate left. Take this across the busy street below, and then take another left. You will then follow this elevated covered pedestrian walkway for 300 yards or so, past several open plaza areas leading to different buildings on the right and a few pedestrian bridges coming in from the left. You will come to the glass doors of the IFC Mall. Go right, up a few stairs, across the circular atrium and out the glass doors on the far left. This will lead you to a walkway to the Four Seasons.
To get to the Pacific Place Mall tram stop from the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 2. (There are also escalators here which will take you down one flight to L2). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn right and then follow along past the Harvey Nichols department store (currently closed for renovation, not sure when you trip is) Once in the atrium area, look across the open space and you will see a sky bridge. Go around the open space to the sky bridge and walk halfway across it, you will see a set of stairs going down to the left in the middle of the sky bridge. The tram stop is at the bottom. You want to take trams on the opposite side of the stairs, so cross the tracks. (With your back to Pacific Place, you want trams heading to the left/west).
6. The MTR is not really a good option as it is only one stop, and it’s a bit of a walk to the Admiralty station and then quite a long walk underground from the Central MTR station to the Four Seasons.
7. As mentioned above, there is a way to do a lot of this by covered walkway; but IMO you may find this confusing given the plethora of intersecting elevated walkways you will encounter on that trip. I personally would take the street walk, as you are least likely to get lost:
-- From the Conrad hotel, take the lift inside the hotel to the 3 level. Walk out, around the huge pillar to the main mall area, turn left, and walk a few yards to another set of lifts. Take these to Level 1. (There are also escalators here which will take you down in two series of escalators to L1). Once out of the lift, turn right and follow the curve of the mall until you come to a large open atrium area with huge glass windows looking onto the street. (If you take the escalator, turn left when you get to L1. Look for a Body Shop and facing that, you want to walk to the left.) Once in the atrium area, go out any door and turn left.
-- Walk along this busy road with the tram running down the middle (Queensway), you will cross at one light, then will pass the Bank of China building on your left (you can go up to the 50th floor or so where there is a public viewing area. You will come to another light. Cross here, and continue straight. You are now in the main business district of Central. Walk for a few blocks, crossing one street at the light, and then 1 street with no light. At the next light, you will be a major downtown intersection (Queens Road and Pedder Street). Turn right and cross, then immediately turn left and cross again. Turn right and walk down Pedder. (The Pedder Building, mentioned above is about 20 yards down on the right, kind of hard to distinguish it, you may see the Shanghai Tang sign). If not stopping to shop, continue down the block to the next light. Cross the street and start looking for a set of stairs on the right going up from the street. Take these stairs up. Turn right, then the immediate next left. Take this across the busy street below, and then take another left. You will then follow this elevated covered pedestrian walkway for 300 yards or so, past several open plaza areas leading to different buildings on the right and a few pedestrian bridges coming in from the left. You will come to the glass doors of the IFC Mall on the right. Go right, up a few stairs, across the circular atrium and out the glass doors on the far left. This will lead you to a walkway to the Four Seasons.
Jul 18th, 2011, 10:32 AM
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OK, well in response to Cicerone, all the above is great, although I just returned from the trip! My fault as i should have stated when I was going to be there. In any event, it rained almost every day I was there, so no outdoor walking. I took the MTR from the Conrad (Central) to Admiralty and it was easy and yes, a lot of walking, but it did not bother me. I did go to most all places above, but did not get to do Macau as it was just too nasty out to venture out that way on the day we had planned.
Got to see everything except the new big Buddah, and unfortunately, the new Ritz-Carlton (Ozone) at the top to get a great view, although there was so much cloud cover that at times we could not see the building across the street let alone Kowloon from our room.
Taxi's were very inexpensive and quick. Went into Long Kwai Fung (sp?) during Beerfest and that was quite an experience!!
Prices, as expected in all the shops were the same as the US or a bit higher, unless there was a sale. Even bargaining at Stanley Market was not as cheap as it was 10 years ago.
Flew Cathay Pacific on their new Biz Class in a 77D and it was FANTASTIC. Cathay never fails to impress and even on a 16 hour flight from JFK, service and flight was seamless and comfortable. New product is great, highly recommend!
Of course, Conrad Hotel was great. Service, cleanliness, luxury, super comfy beds, great location. I could go on...
thanks again for the tips.
Got to see everything except the new big Buddah, and unfortunately, the new Ritz-Carlton (Ozone) at the top to get a great view, although there was so much cloud cover that at times we could not see the building across the street let alone Kowloon from our room.
Taxi's were very inexpensive and quick. Went into Long Kwai Fung (sp?) during Beerfest and that was quite an experience!!
Prices, as expected in all the shops were the same as the US or a bit higher, unless there was a sale. Even bargaining at Stanley Market was not as cheap as it was 10 years ago.
Flew Cathay Pacific on their new Biz Class in a 77D and it was FANTASTIC. Cathay never fails to impress and even on a 16 hour flight from JFK, service and flight was seamless and comfortable. New product is great, highly recommend!
Of course, Conrad Hotel was great. Service, cleanliness, luxury, super comfy beds, great location. I could go on...
thanks again for the tips.
Jul 18th, 2011, 09:47 PM
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I just walked from Admiralty to ifc today in the rain, and I stood by my route as being fastest and easiest. It's also the most weather-friendly, with only a small stretch on Charter Road not covered.
I should also add that if done during Post Office opening hours, ride the escalators to the 2nd floor of the GPO, and walk through its lobby and onto the bridge over to ifc.
I should also add that if done during Post Office opening hours, ride the escalators to the 2nd floor of the GPO, and walk through its lobby and onto the bridge over to ifc.
Jan 19th, 2013, 04:20 PM
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Is there a route that has no stairs at all.? I am going to do this walk (from the pacific place to the ifc)with a baby carriage and any more than 3 stairs is really not possible. I would be willing to walk a little further as long as there are no stairs.( elevators are of course fine?).
Thanks so much for any advice.
Thanks so much for any advice.
Jan 19th, 2013, 04:41 PM
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Just go along the sidewalks in Queensway to the Bank of China Building. Use the crosswalk to cross the road through Chater Garden. Use the pedestrian underpass in front of the Mandarin Oriental to the General Post Office. Continue on sidewalk to ifc. No steps until you get to the mall.
