Hong Kong at Christmas

Well Decker and I have booked the flights and the hotels, and now I'm looking for suggestions of what to do/see in Hong Kong.

I'd really appreciate suggestions from those of you that have been, especially good restaurants.

We'll be going to Disney as the "Tokyo Bitches" tour next year will mean that I've finally visited every Disney Park:D

What else should we do?

Thanks

Francesca

Never been to Hong Kong over Christmas but I'm sure it's wonderful at any time of year. As to things to do...

- have afternoon tea at the Peninsular (advisable to book)
- go up the peak on the tram
- take the star ferry for a very cheap tour of the harbour
(although several tour operators do very reasonably priced
harbour tours, some including lunch/dinner), some of which
visit outlying islands as well
- visit the bhudda on lantau
- Stanley market

And finally, just walk, especially in the evening. Most areas of HK are safe to wander at night and the city is built for walking and soaking up atmosphere. Many of the streets of Nathan Rd Kowloon side are bustling markets at night and make fascinating wandering. Also many of the side streets on the island between central and the escalators.

Enjoy.
Chris

Thanks Chris.

I'm really looking forward to this trip and I'll make sure I book the Pensinsular before we go (or at least get Centurion to "try" to do it before I have to do it myself )

[HighFlyer]

Completely agree with everything Chris has said!

Do go up to the Peak, and sit on the right hand side of the train as you'll get some amazing views of the city. Its amazingly quiet up the top, you can have a walk around and it feels a world away from the hustle and bustle. There is a lot of nature up there too, i saw a lovely preying mantis

If you do head over to Lantau to see the Buddha, get the ferry back to the mainland. It takes slightly longer but the views of the harbour - and also the huge container ships coming and going - are fantastic. I have some amazing photo's from when i took the trip.

Gaddi's and Felix at The Peninsula are nice restaurants, ate at Felix myself, the food was nice, not the best i have ever had but certainly enjoyable, and the views of the Harbour from the restaurant are lovely. The Hyatt also have a couple of good restaurants IIRC.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Bazz]

If you are not planning to stay there, visit the refurbed Mandarin Oriental, Nathan Road is a buzz as has been mentioned above. Don't know if there will be any race meetings on during your stay but a trip to Happy Valley racecourse makes an interesting excursion. If you have time take the ferry across to Macau the "Las Vegas" of the far east. Also mentioned above and not to be missed is a trip around Victoria Harbour, you can go with others on one of the scheduled pleasure boat trip or hire your own dhow.

Its a while since we have been now so can't recommend a restaurant but do try the Drunken Prawns!

Thanks Sarah and Barry

We're staying at the Conrad for 2 nights and The Landmark for 4, so we'll make sure we visit the refurbed Mandarin.

There seems to be so much to do in Hong Kong - I'm going to make sure I plan it well.

Francesca

I'm heading to Hong Kong next week so hopefully will get to sample some fab restaurants - if so, I will let you know.

My friend has suggested we go to Aqua - 29th floor of 1 Peking Rd in Kowloon - apparently best to be get a window table before 8pm to get the most out of the harbour light show. Aqua is a chain of restaurants but this one is Aqua Roma (Italian food, surprise, surprise!) and Aqua Tokyo (Japanese obviously...) - their site is http://www.aqua.com.hk/

Spoon in the Interconti is supposed to be a typical Alain Ducasse offering - if you've sampled it at the Sanderson you'll have an idea of the standard. I only have 3 nights in HK so not sure if I will get a chance to visit this one.

Another one I'm thinking of visiting is M at the Fringe - apparently the upper floor of a former dairy farm building? It's just beside the Foreign Correspondents Club on Lower Albert Road in Central. Don't know much about this one but I think someone must have recommended it to me in the past? Their site is: http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/

Although I think my plan is to fill my tummy with some yummy Dim Sum at lunchtime and then see how I feel in the evening! I think everyone probably has a favourite Dim Sum restaurant but you might like to try Luk Yu Teahouse - again in Central. A lot of locals go there which is always reassuring... I think the Metropolitan Restuarant in Central is another good one...

Have a great time MazzyK!

I look forward to your TR and restaurant guide:)

Thanks
Francesca

[RichardMannion]

Mmm HKG!

Few things for your Mrs D!

I visited HKG last year and was gracefully hosted around by GraemeK and Sean whom I know from FT (they are registered here too!), as they were livign in HKG at the time.

They took me for Dim Sum at Maxim's Palace which is very close to the original MO, and it certainly was a fun experience. You sit at a table, and there are hostesses pushing round carts who stop at your table askign if you would like a plate from their trolley (huge selection) and they then stamp your card. Cheap too!

For transportation, get the Tourist card:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ae_tourtickete.htm

Which gets you 1 or 2 trips on the Airport Express, which I'll come on to later. 3 days unlimited travel on the MTR, which will take you to Disney - the 2 trip Airport version costs 300HKD which is about £20. Sure it includes some credit too that you can use via the Octupus system (which will allow travel on the Star ferries). As you exit the baggage reclaim hall, there is a MTR coutner there where you can buy your tourist pass. The MTR and Airport Express services are very efficient and clean, puts London to shame.

I took the Airport Express from the Airport to downtown HKG, the station is within the airport as you exit immigration. When you get to the closest station there are free coaches to take you to hotels (I didn't bother as my hotel was very clsoe to the station).

On your return, you can actually check your luggage at one of the downtown MTR stations early and collect your boarding passes. Check in at the airport opens 3 hours before as per normal, but the CH is open from late morning as it is shared with Eva Air, so if you want to use it early, check in downtown.

Thanks,
Richard

The Man Wah Restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel serves superb food in equally superb surroundings. Try and book early if you are going to dine there I would recomend requesting a harbour view table. These tabels have one of the best views of Victoria harbour that you could wish for. The restaurant is very elegant and although a bit on the pricey side its worth every penny.

Hope you enjoy
wayne