2-3 days in Hong Kong
Dec 27th, 2010, 12:00 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2-3 days in Hong Kong
I am going to be in Viet Nam at the end of January and had considered doing a couple days before or after my stay there in Hong Kong. I will be a single woman traveling alone. Is it safe? Where is the best place to stay in terms of convenience to shopping and attractions? What should I see!?
Dec 27th, 2010, 02:04 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. Hong Kong is very safe, so it does not matter where you stay in terms of crime, which is basically non-existent (other than perhaps some pickpocket issues which you may find in any crowded city centre). Even late at night out on your own you are quite safe.
2. Hong Kong is very small, so again it does not matter hugely where you stay as you can get to main tourist sights and areas fairly easily from most any location. That being said, some locations are more remote than other in terms of sights and you may need to spend more time on public transport or in taxis than in more centrally-located hotels. The basic choice is whether to stay on the Hong Kong Island side or the Kowloon side, and if you choose Hong Kong Island, then which area of Hong Kong. I think it may more depend on your budget. The Kowloon side of the harbour has the classic view, but if you hotel room does not, there is not really any reason to stay on that side, as the majority of attractions are on the Hong Kong Island side. But if you can give an idea of budget, you will get better reccos.
3. The Lunar New Year holiday in 2011 is February 3-5 so if by “end of January” you mean the first week in February, you would be in town for the celebrations. There are fireworks on Feb 4 and special markets, a parade, and of course special food on offer. Most everything is shut on Feb 3 as far as shops and restuarntss (other than in hotels), but it is quite manageable and a good time to visit, IMO.
4. Without an idea of your interests, it’s hard to give specific advice on what ou should see. I live in Hong Kong, but spend little time shopping there, and think there are many, many other more interesting things to do; which can of course involve a little souvenir shopping at the end; but the days of finding really good bargains here are long gone, IMO. (Very little is manufactured here any more for one thing, esp clothing. There are some interesting items, but for basic clothing shopping I would not come all the way to Hong Kong to do that.) For some suggestions on things to do, click on "Destinations" above, and then scroll down to Hong Kong. A helpful description and basic itinerary suggestions will come up. The Fodors guide book to Hong Kong is excellent. Frommers.com also has a website with similar info and their guidebook is pretty good. You can get the 6-page fold-out paper Luxe Guide, see http://www.luxecityguides.com/; however there is very little sightseeing advice in it, it is mostly shopping and restaurants. Also check the Hong Kong Tourism Board website at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/ for other ideas, as well as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/home.php to see all events and museums offered by the government.
Finally, please search this board for my list of personal 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 a quick photo of one walk, click on my name above and see my profile. For a description of some of other favourite walks on Hong Kong Island, see my posts 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” and “Cicerone's Favourite Hong Kong Walks III: The Dragon's Back” and “Cicerone's Favourite Hong Kong Walks: Severn Road, The Peak “. You can find all of these posts by clicking on these links:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...l-night-ma.cfm http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...eels-alm-1.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...agons-back.cfm and at http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-the-peak.cfm
2. Hong Kong is very small, so again it does not matter hugely where you stay as you can get to main tourist sights and areas fairly easily from most any location. That being said, some locations are more remote than other in terms of sights and you may need to spend more time on public transport or in taxis than in more centrally-located hotels. The basic choice is whether to stay on the Hong Kong Island side or the Kowloon side, and if you choose Hong Kong Island, then which area of Hong Kong. I think it may more depend on your budget. The Kowloon side of the harbour has the classic view, but if you hotel room does not, there is not really any reason to stay on that side, as the majority of attractions are on the Hong Kong Island side. But if you can give an idea of budget, you will get better reccos.
3. The Lunar New Year holiday in 2011 is February 3-5 so if by “end of January” you mean the first week in February, you would be in town for the celebrations. There are fireworks on Feb 4 and special markets, a parade, and of course special food on offer. Most everything is shut on Feb 3 as far as shops and restuarntss (other than in hotels), but it is quite manageable and a good time to visit, IMO.
4. Without an idea of your interests, it’s hard to give specific advice on what ou should see. I live in Hong Kong, but spend little time shopping there, and think there are many, many other more interesting things to do; which can of course involve a little souvenir shopping at the end; but the days of finding really good bargains here are long gone, IMO. (Very little is manufactured here any more for one thing, esp clothing. There are some interesting items, but for basic clothing shopping I would not come all the way to Hong Kong to do that.) For some suggestions on things to do, click on "Destinations" above, and then scroll down to Hong Kong. A helpful description and basic itinerary suggestions will come up. The Fodors guide book to Hong Kong is excellent. Frommers.com also has a website with similar info and their guidebook is pretty good. You can get the 6-page fold-out paper Luxe Guide, see http://www.luxecityguides.com/; however there is very little sightseeing advice in it, it is mostly shopping and restaurants. Also check the Hong Kong Tourism Board website at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/ for other ideas, as well as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/home.php to see all events and museums offered by the government.
Finally, please search this board for my list of personal 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 a quick photo of one walk, click on my name above and see my profile. For a description of some of other favourite walks on Hong Kong Island, see my posts 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” and “Cicerone's Favourite Hong Kong Walks III: The Dragon's Back” and “Cicerone's Favourite Hong Kong Walks: Severn Road, The Peak “. You can find all of these posts by clicking on these links:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...l-night-ma.cfm http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...eels-alm-1.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...agons-back.cfm and at http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-the-peak.cfm
Jan 15th, 2011, 12:56 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hong Kong is a place without that many "must see" sites. It's about "experiencing" the city. Therefore, if one hires me as a guide (just hypothetically), I can do a highlight in half a day, one day, two day, 5 days, or even a week. Cannot say one has to spend a certain amount.
In fact, few people will use a guide in Hong Kong. Just get a guide book and do it on your own and explore. You may find more interesting things than you would with a guide.
In fact, few people will use a guide in Hong Kong. Just get a guide book and do it on your own and explore. You may find more interesting things than you would with a guide.
