MaLloyd

Hey everyone!

My wife and I have a 21 hour layover in Hong Kong, getting in at roughly 9PM and leaving the next day at 6PM. We're just looking for some of the "must do's" with that small amount of time we have and where we should be staying for the night that will allow us to get in and out fairly quickly.

Any insights would be awesome!

Thanks!

yestravel

Go to the Peak for the views and some nice walks. Also enjoyed exploring the mid level elevators. We stayed at the Salisbury on Kowloon and the view is wonderful. Easy access to the airport. You take the train and then the free shuttle to the Peninsula Hotel which is right across the street from the Salisbury. Of course if you can afford the Peninsula, I'd stay there.

ScienceGal

I am going to second yestravel's suggestions. We stayed out the YMCA Salisbury (wonderful place) for middle price-range rooms. Splurge for a harbor view. Location is great. Easily accessible as yestravel said to train to airport as well as short walk to ferry terminal. Definitely take the star ferry across the harbor and take the Peak tram if it is a clear day. Grab some dim sum and noodles along the way. I enjoy walking from the lower tram station over to the escalators down to the bottom of the hill. Take a ride on the old streetcars for a quick tour. That may be all you have time for. Enjoy!

MaLloyd

Thanks for the recommendations. About how long does it take to get from the airport to the Salisbury with the shuttle? Or would it be cheaper and quicker just to grab a taxi? (that's kind of what I am reading)

The mid level elevators - it say's it's essentially a huge elevator, but is there a bunch of good shopping throughout it or what's the point?

Also, we get in on a Friday night at 9PM, than we'll have to get to our hotel and check-in, but it there much to go out and see that late or best just to wake up early and head out?

Thanks!

yestravel

It took about 40 minutes door to door. We took a taxi to the hotel because the shuttle had stopped. It was around 10:30 pm and took about 30 minutes with relatively light traffic. Not sure what it would be like in the day.

Mid level elevators were designed for commuting. Each level has different types of stores and restaurants. You get to see different neighborhoods. They are quite unique. Are you wanting to primarily shop? If so just hit one of the big malls or go to Nathan Ave. you can't go five feet without running into stores. there are also markets.

The trams go all over and give you a Birdseye view of the city.

MaLloyd

We're going to attempt to try and make a night market if we can get to the hotel early enough - I booked the Salisbury and it sounds like its fairly close to a night market, so we'll see. Outside of that, I am not that familiar with Hong Kong. If we can get a good meal in and find some good shopping areas, that's probably about all the time we have. I've seen a few people say hit The Peak in the AM and then I'd like to find some markets we should visit that are unique.

CaliforniaLady

We went to the night market, and the stuff looked geared for tourists and not really nice. I'm not much of a shopper so I can't advise you on that, but maybe you could start a separate thread on where to shop in Hong Kong, and be specific about your interests.

Victoria Peak would be great in the morning, but check on the visibility conditions before you head over there. We made the mistake of going right after a rain, and we saw nothing. Also, the next morning, when it was clear, the line for the tram was very long, so allow plenty of time.

My favorite spot is the island Cheung Chau, which is just a short boat ride from where you are staying. There are four boats an hour going there, so you don't have to worry about getting back in time for your flight. There are marvelous sea food restaurants there on the water, a little temple, gift shops, and nice walking trails. I would go there over Victoria Peak, and you could get your shopping done there.

Kavey

Stayed a week at the Salisbury last month, was very happy with our harbour view suite, worth the extra for that view from both bedroom and living room. For a single night I'd take a regular room but one with harbour view.

For a typical HK experience, you could do breakfast at a cha chaan teng, the all day cafes that are very HK. There are a couple near the hotel.

One of our favourite meals right by the hotel was at the local branch of Din Tai Fung - this is a Taiwanese-born chain specialising in xiao long bao (soup dumplings) with a decent menu of additional dishes. Very popular.

Kavey

Oh, I meant to say, we used the Vigor bus transfer from the airport directly to the Salisbury. It was a touch more expensive ($130) than using the Express train ($90) and then the free shuttle bus but was superbly easy and fairly quick too. We used it back to the airport too.