gage

Hi, me and my friends are going to HK this yr-end.and i've noticed many people recommending Stanley Market and Causeway Bay. <BR>I would like to know if these two places are shopping centres or what? <BR>And how big are they? <BR>Can we spend one whole day there? <BR>Are there any other places which we need to spend at least one day? <BR>Pls do help me, as this will certainly help us plan better <BR>THANX!!!

Bob

I found Stanley Market to be on the "touristy" side. The setting on the back (south) side of HK island was pretty nice as was the trip out there.

David

Causeway Bay is a shopping and entertainment district. While it's interesting, I don't think you could spend a full day there. <BR> <BR>Stanley has a market with various stalls. As Bob says, it can be on the touristy side. However, there are some great restaurants here, and the trip out is very scenic. <BR> <BR>Hong Kong is very compact, so how you spend your time really depends on what your interests are. The Peak is always nice, as are trips to the outlyig islands.

lynn

Hi - <BR> <BR>Yes, Stanley is very touristy but the bus ride is worth it. My HK info is at work so I can't tell you which number the bus is, but if you get on the right bus and sit on top, in front, you get a wild ride with tree branches smacking the window etc. Really fun. And the views of Repulse Bay are beautiful. <BR> <BR>The market itself has lots of vendors selling clothes, chops (stones with your name carved in them in Chinese), silk sheets and robes, and all types of other items. Don't know much about the restaurants. We ate at one that wasn't too bad, it was decent. Nothing spectacular but good enough. I've read many places that there are a few really good restaurants down there but have only been once so don't know for sure. Some people might be able to spend all day here but for us, it was just a 1/2 day thing. <BR> <BR>Causeway Bay is mainly a big mall shopping experience. <BR> <BR>Our favorite places were the Night Market and the Ladies' Market. Very festive and fun. Be careful that you know what you are buying. Alot of the merchandise is knock-off stuff. Fine if you know, but not fine if you don't. <BR> <BR>We're going back in the fall. I can't wait!! We love Hong Kong. <BR> <BR <BR>

lynn

Forgot! <BR> <BR>I highly recommend going to Macau if you have time. That would be a whole day trip. Shopping, restaurants, and good deals on gold. HK has good deals on gold too. They are about the same. <BR> <BR>Good luck.

Ying

I live in HK so may i suggest a few things. First, it depends on how many days u are planning to stay at at Hong Kong or Kowloon side. I suggest taking the Star ferry at night. Stanley market for half day but u must take the bus there and sit on the upper deck if possible. The have the one deck only bus but with air-con.Peak is a must, if you are coming in the fall you can walk around the Peak , takes around 45 mins for one whole circle and see the entire veiw of Hk from different angles. Otherwise, go in the evening and see the lights , it is breathtaking. Nightmarket in Mongkok is also fun and go to Temple Street where they have fung shoi master reading palms , singers performing on the side street ... Fun . Be VERy careful with Macau, lots of triads shooting daily. <BR> <BR>Have a nice trip <BR>

Andrew Clark

I think it's the number 6 bus from "Central" to Stanley. Sometimes it's worth rummaging around in the back of the clothes shops to get genuine designer items at give-away prices. I've even seen ski wear on sale there. Beware of fakes though. There are some good bars and restaurants thru the market, on the waterfront, for a pleasant lunch or cool drink. <BR> <BR>* BEWARE OF PICK-POCKETS IN THE MARKET * <BR> <BR>You can get a mini-bus back from Stanley to Causway Bay and then the MTR (subway) from Causway Bay to where you are staying. Should make a good day's round trip. <BR> <BR>For another day out take the ferry From Central to Cheung Chau island. It's small and rural. No traffic but lots of footpaths. Excellent sea-food restuarants on the waterfront for lunch. If it's a clear day the views from the ferry are great. For ferry times call 2542 3081 <BR>

Fiona

Hi, <BR>Used to live in HK next door to Stanley. Stanley Market is mostly shops,not market stalls. I recommend taking the bus from central and getting up the top, as the views on the way round are spectacular. Stanley is quite expensive and touristy by HK Standards. You can get alomst everything there, but haggling is not really done. GO to Stanley as it might not be there much longer as they have passed plans to pull the old stores done near the veggie market and buld a modern shopping arcade. I reccomend going early in the morining before the tourist buses arrive & have breakfast at DeliFrance. There are also some great restaurants around Stanley - Peperoni's up the back of the shops & on Stanley beach there is a Stanley's French Restaurant, a good pub - the smugglers and an Italian Restaurant. You can then stop at the beach at Repulse Bay on the way back into central. Causeway Bay is more commecialised, big department stores, smaller shops and a few rummage stores whre you can pick up some great bargains. If you want some good bargains, take a walk around Johnston Road, Wanchai during the day, there are some good bin shops. Take a day trip to Lantau to see the Big Buddha, go up the Peak at night, dine at Cafe Deco -reserve a table near the window and enjoy looking down at the lights of HK.Come back on Peak Tram -less crowded on the way back. <BR>Go up escalator to Mid-Levels, stop at Hollywod Road.etc- Antique Shops. Aberdeen Harbour - haggle with Wallah Wallah Boat for trip around where boat people live, in evening could go to floating restaurant. Kowloon - flower market, fish market etc <BR>Hope you enjoy your trip. <BR>Fiona <BR>