Hong Kong for 8 days

Old Sep 8th, 2007, 02:00 AM
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Hong Kong for 8 days

My husband and I will be visiting our son who is studying abroad in Hong Kong. We will be there for 8 days in October. What are your suggestions for an eight day itinerary? We are open to going to Macau, New Territories, and China for one or two days. We have previously been to China so we would want locations close to Hong Kong if we went to China for one or two days. It also would be fascinating to see a glimpse into rural village life as part of our travels. Also suggestions for moderate lodging in Kowloon area. Thanks in advance. Also, my biggest question is Hong Kong worth going to visit by itself and not part of a ionger itinerary?
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Old Sep 8th, 2007, 04:04 AM
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Hi,

"Is Hong Kong worth going to visit by itself and not part of a ionger itinerary?"

Oh, yes, I think so. Although eight days is more than most people would spend, and gives you some splendid options.

The obvious one is Macau. I'm not into casinos in the slightest but still had a great visit, though it may have changed since it reverted to China.

If you want something completely different, and you did mention mainland China ... there is a ferry service from HK to Xiamen (I did it the other way around). Overnight.

Xiamen when I was there was still partly old China, but I see now it is a special economic zone so who knows what changes will have taken place.

But still, there is the old colonial enclave on Gulangyu Island, and if you like a journey for journey's sake (and there aren't too ship journeys left on the planet) you might consider flying one way and boating back.

More recent visitors will chime in, I'm sure.

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Old Sep 8th, 2007, 05:17 AM
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There is no longer a ferry between Hong Kong and Xiamen.

One area in China you may be interested in going is Kaiping, about 60 miles WNW of Macau (actual road distance a little longer). It's a medium-sized town that is just recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site lists for its "diaolao" defensive buildings.

It's also far enough west of the Pearl Delta region that on the way there you may actually see a little bit of rural areas and not just factories that make all the stuff we buy at Wal-Mart.

There should be lots of direct buses from Gongbei, just across from the Macau border.

That's just one suggestion.

As for lodging in Hong Kong, October is one of the more expensive periods. We need a budget or hotel type to give you recommendations.
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Old Sep 8th, 2007, 06:05 AM
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Thank you for both replies. I look forward to more. We like authentic experiences where we learn about culture and the real people who live in Hong Kong. But want to learn too about what your suggestions are for the most recommended attractions.
Hotels we are looking for would be budget or moderate with good size rooms. My son is studying at University of Science and Technology; he says Kowloon would be a good place to stay?

I have been reading more about tours in the area. Any feedback on these tours:
Heritage Tours
Guangzhou Tour
Shenzen Leisure Tour
Hong Kong Traditional Lifestyles Tour

And any companies that are well known for English speaking day tours.

Thank you so much
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Old Sep 8th, 2007, 03:10 PM
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Some moderately priced places in Kowloon could be the Park, Miramar or Salisbury Hotels. Good luck!
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Old Sep 8th, 2007, 09:35 PM
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Hi, Smartravel!

Most people (myself included) feel that Hong Kong is delightful, but overpriced. I could never justify, nor recommend, 8 days in only that city especially in October. Also, it is doubtful that you will find any hotel in Hong Kong that offers "good size rooms" certainly not in the budget or moderate category.

Perhaps you could combine 4 nights in Hong Kong with 4 nights in Bangkok, which is a much more reasonably priced city.

Have you considered the possibility of buying an open jaw air ticket, i.e. flying into one city but out of another?
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Old Sep 10th, 2007, 12:35 AM
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I live in Hong Kong. Your son's campus is in Clear Water Bay, in very far northeastern end of the mainland part of Hong Kong (almost in the PRC actually), so I would suggest that you stay in that area, as you will find more reasonable accommodation prices there, and will get a much more "local" experience, which seems to be what you want. (You won't get that in the tourist hotels in central Kowloon). Hong Kong has an excellent, easy to use, and very cheap public transport system, and you will be able to get into the downtown tourist areas quite easily from this area. About 45 minutes would get you to the main tourist areas of Hong Kong. What is more, some of the most beautiful and remote rural areas of Hong Kong are actually quite close to the Clear Water Bay area, and are accessible by ferry or via a quick train or bus ride. There is excellent walking in this area and October is a great month in which to do this. The island of Tap Mun (Grass Island) in particular is lovely and has a small village, and there are traditional fishing villages reachable only by on foot or by boat scattered all along the coast. In addition, the whole area around the town of Fanling is full of small villages, including ancient walled villages and clan halls There is an old walled village museum in Sai Kung that is definitely worth a visit, go to
http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/eng...ch_sel_syf.htm. There is excellent kayaking and the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong are located in the Sai Kung area which is nearby, most of which are reacable by lovely ferry rides or walks. With 8 days you have an opportunity to see a part of Hong Kong which most tourists do not even know exists. As you have already been to the PRC, you really don't need to leave Hong Kong (and with the PRC visas costing $100 for US citizens these days, you may not want to.) A trip to Macau is of course a possibility if you feel you want to do that.

For accommodation, another poster had located a serviced apartment in Sha Tin, not far from the Clear Water Bay area, some time ago. I don't know these apartments at all, but suggest you take a look at it and perhaps ask you son if he or any of his fellow students or teachers know it. It is called the Horizon Suite Hotel, go to http://www.horizonsuitehotel.com/eng/index.html. I know the area, and there is some great walking nearby (including the beautiful Bride's Pool walk), and you can bike around the Tolo Harbour. The area is quite built-up, but you can get to green areas quickly, and there are lovely water views. An advantage to serviced apartment would be having your own kitchen for breakfasts and packing lunches as well as the occasional dinner.

You might also try renting directly through vrbo.com; although the last time I checked that site I did not find a lot on offer in Hong Kong.

If you will be here on October 19, that is a holiday called Cheung Yueng which is one of the two grave sweeping holidays here in Hong Kong, and is an interesting time to be here to observe festivities, esp at cemeteries and up in the hills (going up into the hills on that day is considered auspicious).

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Old Sep 10th, 2007, 03:53 AM
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No longer a ferry service from Xiamen to Hong Kong .. oh, that's terribly sad.

Then I'm glad I took it when I did.

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Old Sep 10th, 2007, 06:22 AM
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Okay, I have to disagree with Cicerone with a few things.

Clear Water Bay and Sai Kung is in Eastern part of New Territories, not the North Eastern part. And it is not that close to the Chinese border. By road, you have to go west to get back to Kowloon or Shatin (large populated area) before you can head back north towards China.

Second, there are no real hotels I know of in Clear Water Bay or Sai Kung. Therefore, you should be staying in Kowloon, where you can go to HKUST by connecting from MTR to minibus/bus/taxi. And you can go to any part of Hong Kong easily.
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Old Sep 11th, 2007, 04:57 AM
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Wondering, just out of curiousity,if Cicerone or rkk every did.

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