I gave my 19year old daughter a trip to Hong Kong (w/me)for a Christmas gift. We don't have a date, it depends on her college schedule. We plan on Shopping & Site-seeing..What sites should we not miss, and what shopping would you recommend? What are the "best buys" & best areas for shopping. I'm just starting my research for our trip. Also, how safe is it for us... Thanks <BR>

<BR>I'm jealous Alice!! Interested in adopting someone?? <BR> <BR>You'll find a marvelous array of shopping throughout Hong Kong and Kowloon. I just returned from my second trip in 2 years and had another great time. You'll want to plan to avoid Hong Kong during the hottest parts of the year (July and August I believe), but even if you go then you can still have a good time. Much of Hong Kong is done in the typical tourist clothing, although for some things you may want to consider dressier outfits (tea at the Peninsula is well worth the $17 US--a great experience.) If you enjoy shopping, the Nathan Road area of Kowloon is loaded with shopping, and I also enjoy Hollywood Road on the Hong Kong side of the harbor. Hoillywood Road has a great mix of both antiques, junk shops as well as fine art, china and pottery shopts. The Times Square area of Hong Kong is also a bustling place, but it looks an awful lot like western shopping malls. <BR> <BR>DO NOT worry about safety. Be smart like you would in any major western city, but know that Hong Kong is more like Toronto than NYC when it comes to crime. You will see many police and military--reassuring. You should also be comfortable on any mode of transportation--trains up to the New Territorries are ultra-clean and quiet (electric driven) and the subway is one of the nicer ones anywhere in the world. <BR> <BR>Visit Lan Tau to see the Giant Buddha if you've never done something like that before. Your very best guide on the Web is the City of Life web page. Sorry I don't have the address with me, but this is a very extensive guide. Have a great time! <BR> <BR>If you have a problem finding this or need more info, please feel free to e-mail me directly. If you can indicate where you're staying I may also be able to give you some further information--I have a number of grad students in Hong Kong and they would be a good resource as well.

The shopping mentioned above is great for the standard retail/mall experience. <BR> <BR>If you're interested in a little more of a local type experience (not to mention a whole lot better prices) I would recommend the Ladies' Market in Mong Kok and the Temple Street Night Market also in Yau Ma Tei. <BR> <BR>These markets are like a swap meet. Some items are good quality knock-offs of famous names other items are genuine. If you're looking for jade, be careful. It is very difficult for people who don't know about jade to shop for it at the street markets. <BR> <BR>We loved Hong Kong. We went for Thanksgiving ('98). We'll be back!! <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

I agree that Temple Street Night Market is a great time! You'll see everything from knock-offs to cheap electronics and some decent pottery. The best part is the people watching--be prepared to have to weave through the crowds. I think it's open about every night, but Saturday night is best by my experience. I would add that you should NOT buy any jade at the Jade Market. I learned a lot about jade in Taiwan and from what I saw at Jade Market, most of it was laboratory made and badly at that. The little bit that I saw that appeared to be real jade was of reject quality--certainly not anything you'd want to take home as a reminder. <BR> <BR>Given the current economy in Hong Kong, you should also know you can negotiate price nearly everywhere, including the major department stores. In the markets and other areas, I was very successful in bargaining starting at 50% of the list price, usually settled on about 40% off the list price. I also got deals in major department stores, usually getting about 25% off perfume and similar items. <BR> <BR>Stanley Market is also one of the usual tourist stops, but my last visit to Stanley was disappointing--too touristy. <BR> <BR>One other tourist spot to consider--temple of 10,000 buddhas in the New Territories. It's a long walk up to this temple (500 steps I recall) but well worth it. One other new temple that may not yet be open to the public is the Chi Nin Nunery--this temple is being built by some of Hong Kong's more famous actors and actresses. When I was there in October, got a behind-the-scenes tour. It is a beautiful temple and if it opens to the public by the time of your visit, you may want to add this to the list. The lotus garden is going to be spectacular and they have a nice variety of bon sai and other botanicals. <BR> <BR>If you haven't done so already, Fodor's has a feature on this web site that allows you to create your own "tailored" guide to Hong Kong.

I agree with above answers, but I did like Stanley Market, and Tea at Peninsula and have a drink in the Lobby of the Regent for a great view. Night Market is good, take the tram to the Peak on a clear day. I liked the Bird market but It has moved and I am not sure where it is. I have been there 4 times. Last year we stayed at the Marriott.. Get a harbor view room. also the Kowloon is nice but small rooms. Godd restaurant is American rest in Wan Chai (it is Chinese)" and Wu Kong shanghai right off nathan rd. Good tailor is Sam's on Nathan rd.

I agree with above answers, but I did like Stanley Market, and Tea at Peninsula and have a drink in the Lobby of the Regent for a great view. Night Market is good, take the tram to the Peak on a clear day. I liked the Bird market but It has moved and I am not sure where it is. I have been there 4 times. Last year we stayed at the Marriott.. Get a harbor view room. also the Kowloon is nice but small rooms. Godd restaurant is American rest in Wan Chai (it is Chinese)" and Wu Kong shanghai right off nathan rd. Good tailor is Sam's on Nathan rd.

Hello <BR> <BR>I would recommend a day trip to Macau, travelling early morning on the hydrofoil which gets you there in about 1.5 hours or so. Macau is being handed back to China from Portugal at the end of the year, so this is the best time to see it. It has a lot of European charm and is totally unlike H K in some ways. Food is nice too. <BR>There is one really famous resto on one of the islands off Macau, perhaps called Fernandos or something like that. It will be in the guides. We took a bus there no problem and ate chicken and chips {fries} with big prawns and rice and nice Portuguese beer. Lovely! <BR>Also, you could spend a night at the races, where you will witness the H K Chinese love of gambling. <BR>Finally, try Lantau island for a day trip. Lovely restaurants. Point at a fish and then eat it. I was with a U K friend who spoke fluent Cantonese {she was sickeningly fluent!} which was a help, but I don't think you'll have a problem. <BR>Fodor's/Lonely Planet/Rough Guide are all great helps. <BR>One last thing - I found that the bargains are less great than I expected. BUT do go to Shanghai Tang, a really lovely clothes/furniture shop on H K island. There is now a branch in N Y C which is meant to be v. trendy. H K's will be a lot cheaper.

Hello <BR> <BR>I would recommend a day trip to Macau, travelling early morning on the hydrofoil which gets you there in about 1.5 hours or so. Macau is being handed back to China from Portugal at the end of the year, so this is the best time to see it. It has a lot of European charm and is totally unlike H K in some ways. Food is nice too. <BR>There is one really famous resto on one of the islands off Macau, perhaps called Fernandos or something like that. It will be in the guides. We took a bus there no problem and ate chicken and chips {fries} with big prawns and rice and nice Portuguese beer. Lovely! <BR>Also, you could spend a night at the races, where you will witness the H K Chinese love of gambling. <BR>Finally, try Lantau island for a day trip. Lovely restaurants. Point at a fish and then eat it. I was with a U K friend who spoke fluent Cantonese {she was sickeningly fluent!} which was a help, but I don't think you'll have a problem. <BR>Fodor's/Lonely Planet/Rough Guide are all great helps. <BR>One last thing - I found that the bargains are less great than I expected. BUT do go to Shanghai Tang, a really lovely clothes/furniture shop on H K island. There is now a branch in N Y C which is meant to be v. trendy. H K's will be a lot cheaper.

I've been to Hong Kong twice on business, for 2-3 weeks at a time. It is very safe! Firstly, there are so many people that you kind of feel comfortable in crowds. Secondly, I've talked to local female business contacts and read the local papers daily - attacks on persons are quite rare. Of course, exercise normal caution as always!