As with all content on this site, budget travellers or those travelling round the world (shoestring or not) will find some useful advice, tips and destination information in this guide to Hong Kong. There is information on transport, hotels and attraction this brilliant city offers tourists.
We arrived in Hong Kong at a brilliant Airport. There were lots of people around to help you and make you feel welcome. We wanted to get the best value transport using the city’s subway system and we found a great deal. £20 per person (US$35) gave us unlimited transport for three days on the
Mass Transit Railway System. At the airport, customer services were superb, directing us to the right trains and so on. So, after half an hour or so we arrived at Hong Kong Station. From here, there are free shuttle buses to a number of hotels. There are also free shuttle buses from Kowloon station if you are staying in hotels in that area. This website lists the hotels served by the service and gives bus timetables. So, if your hotel is on the list make use of this service.
Hong Kong is a fabulous city. It wasn’t high on our list of places we most wanted to see on our round the world trip but we had a great time.
The first thing we did was to attend the Cheung Chau Bun Festival - a festival full of opera performances, parades with village children lifted high on stilts and colourful costumes. The festival will only be of interest if you’re in Hong Kong in May but if you are do not miss it. It is held on Hong Kong’s smallest island Cheung Chau and can be reached by ferry (45 minutes, £1.50 / US$2.60). Dating back 200 years to when the island was ravaged by plague (there are alternative theories). Residents prayed to the god Pak Tai to help and were instructed to make a pilgrimmage to his temple – they did and the plague subsided. Now, annually parades are held and bun scrambling (there is a huge tower of baked buns erected – no joke!) is the main event. What makes this festival extra special is that it is a very local affair – we saw very few other tourists. If you are visiting at other times of the year check out what other festivals are taking place by the clicking here.
Another must do is to take the Hong Kong Star Ferry which connects Hong Kong Island with Kowloon. It costs very little, and offers you brilliant views during the ten minute journey of skyscrapers and building lining both sides of Victoria Harbour. This is a must do thing to put on your list.
This is best done once darkness has fallen. Once you get off the Star Ferry walk over to the harbourside and turn round – the view of Hong Kong skyscrapers reflecting into the harbour is an awesome sight. As far as we were concerned this was one of the most amazing panoramas you will ever find. Great for photos or if you want something special there are plenty of professional photographers who will take great photos for you. Take a stroll along the Avenue of Stars too as this starts at the harbourside.
To get here you need to take the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to Lantau Island then a bus which takes you high up into the mountains. The bus makes some interesting manoeuvres on its way up and wait until you feel the temperature difference when you reach the site – a real escape from the heat. The Giant Buddha is 26 metres high and is the world’s tallest outdoor, seated bronze Buddha. There is a admission fee but it is worth them money. There is also a nearby temple with lots of incense sticks and lots of prayers taking place which makes for a very relaxing feel.
Right in the centre of Hong Kong you will find Hong Kong Park. This park was an amazing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city even though it was right in the centre of it! Lots of lakes, flowers, trees and flowing water – even a "walk-through" aviary with elevated walkways allowing you to walk at canopy level. Many people miss this in Hong Kong but really shouldn’t. Only open since 1991, you should really find the time to have a stroll through it. More information of Hong Kong Park can be seen by visiting this website. For instance, you could visit Hong Kong Park on your way to the Peak Tram – another must do in the city. The Hong Kong Peak Tram takes you high up above to the Peak above the city where you look down on the skyscrapers. It is an amazing experience going up and down on the Peak Tram – the gradient the track takes is so high you pass buildings which look like they have been build at a 45 degree angle. The top of the Peak affords great photo opportunities to the city’s skyscrapers below. Everyone rushes to the first vantage point but equally good views can be seen from the outdoor area of the shopping mall or by walking a little further on.
Head here for shopping.
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