Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a young, vibrant city bursting with energy. This is obvious to anyone standing on the pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, looking out over Hong Kong’s impressive skyline of skyscrapers. Furthermore, this is a city that has managed to make an art of squeezing seven million people together in an area of 1.000 square kilometers. With its tropical climate, beautiful landscapes, energetic nightlife and fantastic food, Hong Kong is a traveler's paradise. 25 million people come here each year to experience a city unlike any other in the world.Find your trip
Man Mo Temple is one of the popular places in Hong Kong. The old Hong Kong residents prayed for the God of Literature "Man" and the God of War "Mo" and this tradition has been retained until now. You can go to the altar to collect a box of prophecy stick. Shake the box until one of the sticks falls out – then go to one of the fortune-teller stalls and get to know your future.
This museum narrates the history of Hong Kong. Go through the eight rooms that range from prehistoric times to the hand-over to China in 1997. Here you can see everything from traditional Chinese clothes and an old reconstructed street from 1881 to toys from the 1970s.
Victoria Peak is an absolute must for visitors to Hong Kong – ascend 522 metres by tram and look out over the entire city, but do make sure that it is not a foggy day. Victoria Peak has always been an area for the propertied classes, and nowadays this also means that Hong Kong’s best promenade is to be found in the leafy, quiet area around the peak station. It is also here you will find one of the most iconic landmarks of Hong Kong, The Peak Tower that features Hong Kong's highest observation tower (the Sky Terrace 428), including the wax museum Madame Tussauds and the Peak Market.
Here you will find hundreds of species of birds and exotic plants in a beautiful setting filled with fountains and sculptures. On the West of Garden Road, which runs straight through the gardens, you will find a zoo with an impressive collection of endangered species.
This temple was built in the 1860's in honour of "Pak Tai", a peace-keeping god of war. Look into one of the side rooms where old men are seated, building small paper and bamboo models of everything that they want to carry with them into the afterlife.
Ocean Park is the largest theme park in Hong Kong and should not be missed. At this park they truly know how to entertain people of all ages and offer a wide range of different amusements. Have a closer look at the adorable animals, take a dizzy ride on the roller coaster or visit the magnificent aquarium and watch an animal show or see a variety of animal exhibits. Don't miss the cable car, this will be an extraordinary experience!
Since 1888, this oval, double-decker ferry has transported the residents of Hong Kong between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Star Ferries does not only provide an insight into the day-to-day life of Hong Kong but also offers the cheapest and best views of the Victoria Harbour. There are four different trips, but the most popular is between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
If you go to Hong Kong you must go to Disneyland. A perfect place to enjoy a full day with family and friends. Here, dreams are brought to life for both the young and the ones young at heart. Meet your favourite Disney characters and spice up your day with parades and fireworks and try out all the different rides. The park is divided into seven main areas: Adventureland - into the heart of uncharted jungles Fantasyland - the "happiest kingdom of them all" Grizzly Gulch - look for gold and glitters in an abandoned mining town Main Street, USA - the picturesque boulevard of dreams Mystic Point - an mysterious rain forest Tomorrowland - like our dreams - is timeless Toy Story Land - a chance for you to become a toy
Man Mo Temple is one of the popular places in Hong Kong. The old Hong Kong residents prayed for the God of Literature "Man" and the God of War "Mo" and this tradition has been retained until now. You can go to the altar to collect a box of prophecy stick. Shake the box until one of the sticks falls out – then go to one of the fortune-teller stalls and get to know your future.
This museum narrates the history of Hong Kong. Go through the eight rooms that range from prehistoric times to the hand-over to China in 1997. Here you can see everything from traditional Chinese clothes and an old reconstructed street from 1881 to toys from the 1970s.
Jumbo Floating Restaurant may look like a glorious mixture of Forbidden City and Las Vegas, but it is the right choice if you want to try out the floating restaurants of Aberdeen Harbor and the seafood cuisine of Hong Kong. The menu comprises a mixture of traditional Chinese food, with dim sum every Sunday morning.
Enjoy Hong Kong’s best view while dining at Café Deco, which offers an array of international specialties. Here, you can admire the view of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour and, at the same time, eat superb seafood and grilled food dishes. From Thursday to Saturday there is a live jazz band playing here.
This is a good choice for those who want to sample rustic, northern Chinese cuisine in a simple and inexpensive restaurant. Claimed to serve the best Peking duck in Hong Kong. Very popular restaurant among locals, which is always a good sign. Advance booking recommended.
Located on the floor 56 at Island Shangri-La Hotel, Petrus is without a doubt one of Hong Kong’s best French restaurants with a magnificent view of the Victoria harbour. In a fine setting, you can enjoy contemporary French cuisine with an Asian twist, accompanied by wines from one of the most extensive assortments in Asia.
This little restaurant serves exquisite Cantonese home cooking such as dim sum, crispy chicken and crispy pork buns. Ask for the special menu of the season which has a dozen special dishes depending on the time of year. A popular restaurant among local businessmen.
Hong Kong’s cosiest restaurant was given a lift when it was refurbished by the designer Philippe Starck. At this fantastic, Art Deco-inspired restaurant with a spectacular skyline view, you can have modern European cuisine (anything from barbecued spareribs to lobster nachos) and it is all cooked with the freshest seasonal ingredients under the direction of Chef Yoshiharu Kaji. Dress Code: Smart Casual
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the traditional Cantonese restaurant Yung Kee. Established in 1942, it is a place good for groups and business dining. Here you should try the specialty roast goose and barbecued pork (along with dim sum).
Looking for some European cuisine in Hong Kong? Open Kitchen (located in the heart of Hong Kong) provides fresh trays of baked western goods, sandwiches and salads. You can choose to grab and go at the shop front or have À la carte inside the restaurant.
Jumbo Floating Restaurant may look like a glorious mixture of Forbidden City and Las Vegas, but it is the right choice if you want to try out the floating restaurants of Aberdeen Harbor and the seafood cuisine of Hong Kong. The menu comprises a mixture of traditional Chinese food, with dim sum every Sunday morning.
Enjoy Hong Kong’s best view while dining at Café Deco, which offers an array of international specialties. Here, you can admire the view of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour and, at the same time, eat superb seafood and grilled food dishes. From Thursday to Saturday there is a live jazz band playing here.
Lane Crawford, the first western department store in Hong Kong selling luxury fashion, beauty, and lifestlye goods, is well-stocked and well-organised with its excellent retail design. Some think it a trifle expensive, but it may be worth it for the good service.
Sogo is a gigantic Japanese department store with 13 floors. The wide range of products on offer is meticulously organised and comprises an impressive quantity of high-quality goods – everything from beauty products to clothes and sports equipment and more.
This centre has three floors and seventy retailers with nothing but computer products which are frequently cheaper if you look in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. MCC provides up-to-standard service and professional advice. Have an eye on their events and promotions, you may find some related special offer, such as movie tickets redemption.
Shanghai Tang is famous for their tasteful and luxurious versions of traditional Chinese clothes and their featured designers. Here you can easily spend hours discovering Chinese fashion for both women and men, as well as homeware and decorations and other products.
A half an hour bus-ride from the city is the sandy beach at Stanley with its famous market. Here you will find some Chinese style souvenirs, such as key rings of Chinese food bowl, embroidery shoes, and calligraphy, and it is an easy way to get a a little grain of sand between your toes into the bargain.
Another well-known market is Temple Street Night Market, which got its name from Tin Hau Temple on the same street. This is the perfect place for anyone looking for clothes and watches. In the northern part of the street you can eat anything from simple noodle soup to fancy Chinese dishes.
Lane Crawford, the first western department store in Hong Kong selling luxury fashion, beauty, and lifestlye goods, is well-stocked and well-organised with its excellent retail design. Some think it a trifle expensive, but it may be worth it for the good service.
Sogo is a gigantic Japanese department store with 13 floors. The wide range of products on offer is meticulously organised and comprises an impressive quantity of high-quality goods – everything from beauty products to clothes and sports equipment and more.
Airports
Hong Kong’s airport was previously in the city centre and it was an experience to fly in among the skyscrapers. But the new airport is still a major sight. Feted as one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever, this large airport really is proof that the construction of an airport is a prestige project and a work of art, too. The British architect, Sir Norman Foster, has described the building as homage to travellers in modern times. The new high-tech airport lies a little way outside Hong Kong, but the Airport Express leaves every twelve minutes from 5.50 - 24.48 and takes you downtown in 24 minutes. A number of public buses also take you into the city. At the airport there is also an Airport Ambassador Programme and a Costumer Service Centre you can turn to for more information and help.
Public Transport
The clean and modern MTR, the tube, is often the quickest way to get around. A smart way is to buy an Octopus Card which can be used on most of the local buses, trains, trams, and ferries. You can buy the Octopus Card at any MTR Customer Service Centre and Airport Express Customer Service Centre. You can reload the card at any convenience store, supermarket, or Add Value Machine at the station. If you do not want it as a souvenir, return it to the centre and get the refundable deposit. You can also buy a one-day card on MTR, or a Airport Express Travel Pass for any 3 consecutive days of unlimited rides on the MTR with Airport Express. The bus fare depends on how far you travel, but remember that you need the exact amount or an Octopus Card to pay. There is also a small minibus which is a mix of taxi and bus and takes slightly longer but might take you closer to where you want to go. Trams are also a pleasant way to get around.
Taxi
It is cheap and simple to travel by taxi in Hong Kong – just flag down the first taxi that comes down the street. The colour of the taxi indicates its geographical area. Red taxis are for most of Hong Kong, except Tung Chung Road and Lantau Island South. Green taxis are for the New Territories. Blue taxis are available on Lantau Island. All taxis provide service to the Hong Kong International Airport.
Post Office
The main post office is adjacent to the Star Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island. Opening hours vary from office to office. Stamps are available in convenience stores. You can also find post boxes on most streets.
Pharmacy
There are around 600 pharmacies in Hong Kong. If you want to see a pharmacist, look for the "Rx" sign with a red cross outside the pharmacy. You can also get medicine at Mannings, Watsons, or any convenience store. SOS International Alarm +852 2528 9900 For general enquiries and advice, call +852 2300 6555 or go to Hong Kong Central Hospital, 1b Lower Albert Road, Central, Tel +852 2537 8441.
Telephone
Country code: +852
Electricity
220 V / 50 Hz
Airports
Hong Kong’s airport was previously in the city centre and it was an experience to fly in among the skyscrapers. But the new airport is still a major sight. Feted as one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever, this large airport really is proof that the construction of an airport is a prestige project and a work of art, too. The British architect, Sir Norman Foster, has described the building as homage to travellers in modern times. The new high-tech airport lies a little way outside Hong Kong, but the Airport Express leaves every twelve minutes from 5.50 - 24.48 and takes you downtown in 24 minutes. A number of public buses also take you into the city. At the airport there is also an Airport Ambassador Programme and a Costumer Service Centre you can turn to for more information and help.
Public Transport
The clean and modern MTR, the tube, is often the quickest way to get around. A smart way is to buy an Octopus Card which can be used on most of the local buses, trains, trams, and ferries. You can buy the Octopus Card at any MTR Customer Service Centre and Airport Express Customer Service Centre. You can reload the card at any convenience store, supermarket, or Add Value Machine at the station. If you do not want it as a souvenir, return it to the centre and get the refundable deposit. You can also buy a one-day card on MTR, or a Airport Express Travel Pass for any 3 consecutive days of unlimited rides on the MTR with Airport Express. The bus fare depends on how far you travel, but remember that you need the exact amount or an Octopus Card to pay. There is also a small minibus which is a mix of taxi and bus and takes slightly longer but might take you closer to where you want to go. Trams are also a pleasant way to get around.
