MSheinberg

Returned to H-Town last Wednesday night after spending eight nigts in Hong Kong. Stayed at Langham, Hotel, 1 Peking Road, TST, Kowloon. Very nice hotel, room and bath were small, staff was friendly and breakfast buffet was more than we really needed. Would stay there again.

We always use the airport express train and shuttle to and from the hotel. They currently have a one way fare of 70HK per person compared to 80Hk last February. The H2 shuttle bus from Kowloon station stops at the Langham. Many people do not know that you can, in most cases, check in for your flight and check your luggage at the Kowloon Airport Express Station. Not sure about the station in Central.

This year we did several things that we have not done on past trips to HK. For instance, we did Cicerones Severn Road hike at the peak which was really nice. The views and the homes we saw were breath taking and the weather was perfect for walking.

The next day we took a Greyline tour of the New Territories, Land Between Tour, with lunch. The 6 1/2 hour tour visited Yuen Yuen Institute, Fanling Walled Village plus several look out points and state parks. The tour inself was interesting but we thought the guide was not as informed as he should have been. He still does not believe Hong Kong is part of China.

We visited Stanley Market but the best part of that day beside bus ride which cost less than 10HK each way, seniors are half price on the bus, was the sea side walk with the restaurants and bars overlooking the water.. We did lunch in one of the little restauurants but forgot to note the name. Food was good but the setting was better.

On Saturday we took the ferry to Lamma Island. The Star ferry is free for seniors and this ferry is half price for seniors but the person at the turnstile said this was only for HK residents and charged the full price of less than18HK each. We took the ferry from pier 4 in Central to Sok Kwu Wan, a small fishing village with seafood restaurants lining the waterfront each trying to intice you in. We then proceeded to hike the paved path to the other side of the island which took us about two hours as we like to stroll, look and stop to enjoy the views. Along the way we visited an organic garden and a small sandy beach. The village we walked to is called Yung Shue Wan. Guide posts along the way will lead you there. Yung Shue Wan offers some shopping, bars and resraurants. We had lunch at Sampan on the waterfront overlooking the water. Food and views were wonderful and the beer was really COLD. This was truly an outstanding day.

On Sunday we took the MRT to Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery which is a favorite of RKKWAN on this forumn. This peaceful place and the Nan Lian Gardens on the other side of the road are quite and beautiful. If you can block out the tall buildings that surround the area you would not know you were in HK. This is a wonderful way to enjoy your time in this busy city.

The rest of our time in HK was spent walking the neighborhoods of Kowloon and Central, visiting the markets and the mid levels. Believe it or not we went to Hong Kong to relax and that is exactly what we did there.

We ate at Hing Fat on Ashley Road behing the Salisbury YMCA which we like. It is a local noodle shop that we found on our last visit. Two of us ate for about $15US. We also found Saffron Indian Restaurant on Moody Road next to the Shangra-La hotel last year. It is on the second floor over the 7-11 store. Dinner was about $40US. We had Peking Duck at the Peking Garder in Star House on Canton near Nathan. The food was OK and dinner was $40US. This place has a sister restaurant called Jade Garder in the same building which was OK and cost about the same price. One place we would not return to was Sweet Dynasty on Canton Road. It is a local noodle shop. Food and service were not very good. Two of us ate for $15US.

We have been to Hong Kong three times in two years and will be returning to this exciting place in the future.

Kathie

Thanks for your report. Hong Kong has so much to offer! We can always find more to do and see.

KMLoke

The offerings at Sweet Dynasty has changed since my previous visit couple of years back. It used to offer only desserts. In my recent visit the menu offers what the same stuff as other cafes with the dessert items reduced drastically. A bit disappointed with the change. I would prefer going to Honeymoon Desserts (Moon Kee in Cantonese) or Hui Lau Shan.

sharon1306

Thanks for posting. I'm reading up on Hong Kong as we're planning a trip early next year

rkkwan

Thanks for the report, and I'm glad you enjoyed Chi Lin Nunnery and the Nan Lian Gardens.

One-way standard fare for Airport Express from airport to Kowloon has always been $90, and roundtrip always $160. That hasn't changed since the train started.

But, also, from almost the start, there's the long-running one-way group fare promo. Two people traveling airport to Kowloon (or reverse) is $140.

yk

thanks for posting your trip report!

MSheinberg

Hong Kong is a wonderful place. Does anyone know what is being built on the corner of Canton Road and Nathan Road. It has taken in what looks like an old tower and maybe an old residence. It has to be a another shopping center. What was previously on this site?

RKKWAN, again your suggestion of the Nunnery and Garden was right on. How are you feeling?

rkkwan

Mel - I'm doing great. The building you're talking about was the Marine Police HQ, at the corner of Canton Road and Salisbury Road:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_...rters_Compound

MSheinberg

Thanks Raymond. On your next visit take a couple pictures of the finished building. You will probably get to HK before we do. Call when you come back, we will do lunch.

This is another example of the many things to see in HK.

KMLoke

Took this earlier in the month.

http://image74.webshots.com/74/3/60/...7PbQQsm_fs.jpg

Images2

Thanks for your report. If you had to choose between a trip to Lamma Island or Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery with the Nan Lian Gardens, which would you choose? We have limited time and can't do both.

Thanks for your help.

MSheinberg

These are two different experiences. If you are interested in taking a hike and enjoying the views go to Lama Island. It is really a nice day if the weather is good.

On the other hand, the Nunnery and garden in closer. It is very peaceful and the gardens are beautiful. We enjoy visiting gardens where ever we travel.

This answer is probably no help to you. Flip a coin you cannt go wrong.

Cicerone

In trying to choose between Lamma and the Nunnery, I would say to consider the following things. Certainly the weather on the day would be a deciding factor. If it is pouring rain or foggy, the hike will not be pleasant, and/or may not give you the good views you are looking for or the ability to take time to enjoy the number of very nice beaches along the way. On the other hand, if you are going elsewhere China (which I believe you are) you may not really need to see the type of Chinese temple architecture at the Nunnery or garden examples which you will certainly see in Beijing in places like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, etc. (Also note that this is not a botanical garden like Kew, this is a traditional formal Chinese garden with a focus on ornamental ponds and rock formations.) If you want to see a working temple (which you won’t see a lot of in the PRC actually), there are many opportunities to do so in the main city areas of Hong Kong (Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road and the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon are obvious, but there are many others, including several in Wan Chai), and even on the Lamma Walk you will pass two small but active Tin Hau temples as well. If you want to see gardens, the botanical gardens on Upper Albert Road in Central are quite pleasant and have a small zoo, as is Hong Kong Park near the base of the Peak Tram, which has an open-air aviary and the quite charming tea museum (good dim sum). Either or both could be incorporated into general sightseeing in the area, including a trip up the Peak Tram, a walk in Wan Chai or Hollywood Road, etc.

rhkkmk

thanks for this report....

Images2

Thanks so much Cicerone. Yes, we'll be in several areas of China but only 2 full days in Hong Kong. I appreciate all the help you've provided. I guess we'll decide once we're there!

Tootsall

My wife and I will be taking our 25th anniversary & retirement trip of 18 days to Hong Kong in late October. As such I keep checking the various websites and just wanted to post a "heads up" that the "Discover Hong Kong" website has just been updated with some really nice features. We'll have an expat guide while there but will also be spending about 1/2 the time "on our own". We're getting a pretty good idea of the backbones of what we want to do while we're there but its really helpful to see how others have found the experience. Also a props to Cicerone and rkkwan; your posts and tips give us things to look for via internet.

http://discoverhongkong.com/canada/