I will be in Hong Kong the end of October on a cruise overnight. I'm looking for a good private guide to take us around for something different than the general overview of Hong King. Is there a company or person that someone would highly recommend?

Hong Kong is quite small (at least the tourist parts, and esp those that can be seen in only a day), so actually you can do most everything by yourself. I am not sure you would really want or need a guide. In addition, the public transportation system is excellent and in English, and taxis are cheap and plentiful, plus a good bit of what you want to see is best seen – or only can be seen – on foot. Therefore, I would not recommend a bus tour at all. If you really feel you need a guide, I would certainly recommend Jason Wordie, a local historian, author and walking tour guide. See http://www.jasonswalks.com/. He has some set tours and also does custom tours. He could show you some more non-typical sights, and could probably arrange a custom tour of the more typical tourist sights. However, I have to say that with the very limited time you will have in Hong Kong, you might want to stick with the highlights of the more traditional tourist sights (Star Ferry ride, Peak Tram and walk around the Peak, Central areas, Hollywood Road and Soho, Stanley, Aberdeen, and Esplanade area along the Kowloon waterfront, dim sum and/or a meal at one of the hundreds of good restaurants here), all of which can be seen without a guide. Just consult any guidebook or see the Fodors Destination section on this website.

Thanks for the advice. A walking tour is sort of what we were looking for with of course some good food options. Having lived in Paris our trips always seem to revolve around food. We love hearing about the history of a city and find that it really makes the buldings and sights become more real if you have a sense of the history.

I was looking for the same thing and took your advice from earlier posts, Cicerone and tried to contact Jason. He never replied...is he still in business?

Vslparis, I would recommend that you talk a walk through the “wet” market areas of Wan Chai to see the fish, poultry, meat, veg and fruit, markets and sample some of the very local noodle stalls in the area. You may find that interesting. Also things like fishball on a stick, totally the Hong Kong experience, as well as egg tarts. You can also find a small version of a wet market on Peel Street in Central (more veg than live animals, but you can find some in the area and good egg tarts). There are hundreds of good restaurants here (ncluding French, would be curious for you to try and compare), too bad you are not staying longer to sample them but at least try to fit in what you can. I have posted a thread previously called something like “Cicerone’s Recommendations for What the Local Do for Fun in Hong Kong”, that has wet market information. I have also posted an updated restaurant list lately, can’t recall the title but you might search for that too (something like “Cicerone’s Updated Hong Kong Restaurant Reccos Part I”).

Hong Kong has few old buildings, and they are hidden away, but someone like Jason could give you a walking tour highlighting some of the remaining ones in the Central area of Hong Kong Island.

If your cruise ship can get you in, you might also enjoy lunch or dinner at the China Club, an art deco restaurant on top of the old Bank of China Building. It is private club, but does seem to allow hotels to send guests, so it may be worth seeing if this is possible. It has a nice ambience and good food. There is a guy who pulls noodles at your table in the old traditional way, and generally a band in the evenings.

From DC, yes Jason is still in business, he is giving a walk for the American Women's Association this month. (See https://www.awa.org.hk/events.php and click on The Western District Walk on 23 October, maybe you can join that, he does tours for the AWA fairly often.) I don't know why he did not respond. Perhaps try again, or if there is a phone or fax, try that.

Thanks, Cicerone. We will be in Hong Kong on Oct 23 and the walk looks very interested. Is it for women only or would DH be able to join the tour?

No, men can join too. My only question is whether you can go without an AWA sponsor. I am in the US and will be here until the 25th of October so can't sponsor you, but I think if you pay for the walk, the AWA is not so sussed if you don't have a member who is a sponsor. Just send them an e-mail or fax.

Cicerone,thanks for the advice.