Visiting Hong Kong
Apr 11th, 2007, 12:03 PM
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Visiting Hong Kong
In choosing a tour to China, I am wondering if a visit to Hong Kong is "worth" it. I am not a big fan of giant hustle bustle cities. I did not particularly care for Bangkok. Any comments to sway me?
Apr 11th, 2007, 12:47 PM
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Look at it this way:
If I asked, "In choosing a tour to Australia, I am wondering if a visit to Sydney is "worth" it. I am not a big fan of giant hustle bustle cities.", what would your answer be?
If I asked, "In choosing a tour to Australia, I am wondering if a visit to Sydney is "worth" it. I am not a big fan of giant hustle bustle cities.", what would your answer be?
Apr 11th, 2007, 01:19 PM
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Yeah, you are right, I was in Australia (by the way I am not Australian) for a month and my last stop was Sydney for a week. I did truly love it there. I'm sure I will like HK and probably won't get the opportunity to go there again. Thanks to you both....I guess I'm going.
Apr 11th, 2007, 06:51 PM
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I live in Hong Kong and obviously think it is a great place, but some things to consider:
1. How long is the trip and where else are you going in China? Trying to "squeeze" in Hong Kong on a trip of say only 7 days when you are aready going to 3 other places in the PRC is too much to handle IMO. If you have 2 weeks or so, then adding Hong Kong is possible.
2. What would you be giving up? I personally would not bypass Beijing in favour of Hong Kong. There is much more history in Beijing. If its an add-on then that makes more sense.
3. Time of year is an issue. It is generally quite hot and humid here from about now until mid-October, certainly liveable but you have to be prepared. It also tends to rain a lot during those months. Conversely late October, November, December and most of January are typically fantastic weather.
Hong Kong, by the way is a LOT more than just a city. It's also a lot less frenetic than Bangkok, and there is no traffic to speak of. There is lots of cheap and excellent public transport, and you can walk (or ferry) to virtually all the major tourist spots. In addition, over 40% of it is national park. You can get out to very desterted trails in the New Territories and do some fantastic walks and hikes, you can even get away on Hong Kong island to some much quieter green areas as well. You can take ferry trips as well that will take you away from the city. I live in the midst of it, but hear crickets every night surrounding my flat, where else can you say that in a city of 7 million people? Please search this board for my very long list of reccos called “Cicerone’s Reccos for What the Locals Do for Fun in Hong Kong (Hint: We DON’T Go to those Awful Night Markets....)” this should give you some ideas for what to do, including a list of walks and some sources for more walks. For another of my favourite very easy walks on Hong Kong Island, see my posting called “Cicerone’s Favourite Hong Kong Walks II: Paradise Found! From Happy Valley to Stanley in High Heels! (Almost) The Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path”
1. How long is the trip and where else are you going in China? Trying to "squeeze" in Hong Kong on a trip of say only 7 days when you are aready going to 3 other places in the PRC is too much to handle IMO. If you have 2 weeks or so, then adding Hong Kong is possible.
2. What would you be giving up? I personally would not bypass Beijing in favour of Hong Kong. There is much more history in Beijing. If its an add-on then that makes more sense.
3. Time of year is an issue. It is generally quite hot and humid here from about now until mid-October, certainly liveable but you have to be prepared. It also tends to rain a lot during those months. Conversely late October, November, December and most of January are typically fantastic weather.
Hong Kong, by the way is a LOT more than just a city. It's also a lot less frenetic than Bangkok, and there is no traffic to speak of. There is lots of cheap and excellent public transport, and you can walk (or ferry) to virtually all the major tourist spots. In addition, over 40% of it is national park. You can get out to very desterted trails in the New Territories and do some fantastic walks and hikes, you can even get away on Hong Kong island to some much quieter green areas as well. You can take ferry trips as well that will take you away from the city. I live in the midst of it, but hear crickets every night surrounding my flat, where else can you say that in a city of 7 million people? Please search this board for my very long list of reccos called “Cicerone’s Reccos for What the Locals Do for Fun in Hong Kong (Hint: We DON’T Go to those Awful Night Markets....)” this should give you some ideas for what to do, including a list of walks and some sources for more walks. For another of my favourite very easy walks on Hong Kong Island, see my posting called “Cicerone’s Favourite Hong Kong Walks II: Paradise Found! From Happy Valley to Stanley in High Heels! (Almost) The Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path”
