Hey

I'm off to HK for 3 nights, four days in November, and was wondering whether anyone out there could offer some advice on two things:
1) What not to miss in HK itself.
2) Whether a day-trip to Macau is worthwhile.

Just to place some perspective on it, I'll be travelling with my girlfriend (both of us 28 years old) and we're interested in architecture, good food and drink, and people watching...!

Thanks for any help!

Hong Kong is great weather-wise in November, in the mid 70s and not rainy. Run a search here for ideas on what to see and do as Hong Kong is very popular on this site. Click on "Destinations" above, scroll down to Hong Kong and look at the "Great Itineraries" which Fodors has put together, it is very good. I have made numerous postings, I just topped some for you.

For people-watching, be downtown at the corner of Pedder Street and Queen's Road from between Noon and 2 pm, more people and bicycles than you can imagine.. . The vegetable/meat/fish/flower markets along the back streets off Queen's Road East are great for people watching, esp in the early evening between 5-7 when everyone is out shopping or on Saturday mornings. (Walk past the Marriott/Pacific Place mall and continue along Queens Road East, or take the tram from Central past Pacific Place and onto Hennessey Road and get off at almost any point after that, go left onto side streets.)

If you like waling/hiking, there are great trails on Hong Kong Island itself, with varying degrees of difficulty. The only one I would say you "have" to do is the Luggard Road walk around the Peak; it has breathtaking views. It is flat and takes about an hour to complete the circuit. The Dragon's Back, mentioned in one of the posts I topped is kind of tough, IMO. A better one is the Mt. Butler walk from the Parkview Apts above Happy Valley. Most of it is flat and the rest is downhill. . One of the local bookstores in Hong Kong should have the trail map and other walking books. A helpful website run by an ex-pat hiking enthusiast in Hong Kong is hkcrystal.com/hiking (you can even join one of his hikes).

IMO it is not worth a day trip to Macao if you only have 4 days in Hong Kong. There is a lot to see and do in Hong Kong itself. If your interest in architecture includes colonial Portuguese, it might be worth a trip, but otherwise with your limited time I would skip it. If you want to ride ferries, you can go to some of the outlying islands like Lamma or Cheng Chau, or take the Star Ferry to and from various points along Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The best US.75 cents you will ever spend. . .

Some corrections/additions to my post:

The outdoor markets in the Queens Road East area are also open on Sunday, best time is the morning or before lunch.

Star Ferry is HK$2.20 (first class) which is more like US 30 cents, not 75 cents as I said above.

For people watching at Pedder and Queens Road, weekdays are best, but Saturdays are OK too.

If you are in Hong Kong on a Sunday or public holdiay, head for Statue Square and the area around the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Building in Central. Thousands of Filipina maids congretate here on their day off. . . you can see how the other 90% of the world lives; and these are the lucky ones as they have relatively good-paying jobs and can send money home.

agree yet again with cicerone - forget macau unless you are into casinos as that seemed the most exciting thing to do

amandac

Hi Jimbo:

I have to agree with Cicerone & Amanda, we were in Hong Kong last year for 3 nights (4 days) and would have liked another day just for Hong Kong (but not much more).

When we were origionally planning the trip we were hoping for 7-8 days to allow for the side trip to Macau &/or 'the mainland'. But when it got shrunk to 4 days, we were action packed just to get in what we did in Hong Kong with the 'side trip' being Lantau Island.

Z

Hi,

Wanna hear a local's points of view? I'm living in Hk and have lived in Macau for many years.

1) Definitely not to miss the star ferry ride. If you're visiting in late Nov, you may even see the beautiful X'mas decorations/ lightings on the buildings along both sides of the harbor.

I agree with the previous posts that Central is a cool place for people watching. During weekdays, you'll see a lot of well-dressed executives, wealthy people there. But I think you'll also be able to see these people in any big cities around the world. If you'd like to see something with a more local touch, I'd suggest you going to Mongkok or Causeway Bay. These are where most local teenagers and common people hang around.

"The only one I would say you "have" to do is the Luggard Road walk around the Peak; " ....This is true, but be warned in advance that there are quite a lot of robberies there lately.

2) Macau is NOT all about casinos! If you're interested in architecture and food. Macau is not to be missed.

Architecture wise - Macau has reserved a lot of buildings from the colonial period. You'll be surprised to find a little southern European town in Asia! Comparatively, you're less likely to find any cool colonial buildings in HK. We don't care much about RESERVATIONS.
Of course, in HK, you'll see a lot of great modern buildings.

Food wise - Food is a major attraction in Macau. For us hk people who don't gamble, we go to Macau just for their food!

4 days/ 3 nights is quite a short trip. I think you won't have enough time in HK. However since you mentioned that you're visiting with your g/f, it'd be so very romantic strolling down the narrow streets in Macau.

I was very disappointed in Macau, would never return and would not recommend it.
However, I loved the island of Cheung Chau (sp?), an island that has been a fishing village for more than 1000 years. Small, easy to walk around, great seafood restaurants along the waterfront and a nice break from the frenetic pace of hong kong.
Take a ferry to Cheung Chau, it's a great ride

Disappointed in Macau? I am afraid that you went to the wrong places. All the newer buildings, especially near the Ferry Terminal, are horrendous, but there are still plenty, I mean lots, of great places to go.

I have written about Macau many times on this board; there are tonnes of interesting places to go for an overnight trip.

I had mixed feelings about Macau. There certainally were some areas that had an old europe feel to it. On the other hand much of the rest of the urban parts of the territory were very nondescript....certainaly none of the architectural vibrancy of HK or even Beijing. Many new casinos are being built and in 10 years what is here now will be gone. Im glad I made the day excursion but it wasnt the most memorable day of our trip. One find....if youre looking for a driver for the day, we used Albert Au, tel (853)726444. I dont see a web address on his card but he works for Hou Mei Tour Travel Co, Macau.....he was very consciensious and I gladly recommend him. Good travelling.

We had a fabulous meal in Macau at Fernando's. It was one of the highlights of our trip. However, if you only have 3 nights in HK, stay there.