Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Hong Kong
I appreciate the Chinese Government may take exception to me classifying Honk Kong as a separate country, since it returned to Chinese control in 1997 - even if the Chinese have since reneged on the Handover Agreement.
However Hong Kong is, currently, still sufficiently different than the rest of China it warrants its own section - if the Chinese don't like it - tough.
Prices quoted and currency conversions are a guide only and are correct as of July 2020
Getting There
Ninety odd percent of visitors fly into Hong Kong via the international airport.
Historically Honk Kong's airport was located in Kowloon, right in the heart of the city, where the final approach involved flying between residential tower blocks - arguably one of the most exciting landings in the world.
Sadly those hairy landings ended on 6th July 1998 with the opening of the new international airport, known as Chek Lap Kok, built on reclaimed land, some 15 miles (25 km) from the city centre.
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It made sense as the airport is able to operate 24 hours a day.
Connections to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island are excellent.
The fastest transfer is via the Airport Express Train, operating every 15-30 minutes from 05:54 - 00:48 daily. The journey time to Central Station is 24 is 24 minutes. Fares to Kowloon are $105 (£10.54) or Central $115 (£11.55), if playing by Octopus (see getting around) the fares are $100 (£10) and $110 (£11) respectively.
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Taxis to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island will cost between $300 - $400 (£30 - £40)
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Getting Around
Hong Kong is very densely populated and the traffic is busy, any time of the day or night.
Buses serve most areas but are slow. Even slower are the trams, which travel at a sedate pace and a great way to while away an hour or so going through the city centre - they are a great way to see the city though.
A more efficient way to travel is the MTR, the very efficient Metro system, clean efficient and (outside the rush hour) a comfortable way to travel.
Ferry services ply their trade across the harbour.
The Octopus Card is a brilliant card. A prepaid card, topped up as required, which can be used on MTR, buses, trams, ferries and some taxis. Even better the card is accepted as a payment card in many shop, public facilities and the like - a very versatile card.
You can hire a card for $150 (£15) which includes a $100 (£10) credit and a $50 (£5) deposit which you can get back minus a $9 (90p) handling fee.
Alternatively you can buy an Octopus Card, many of which have special designs. You buy a basic card with no credit and top up as required, when you go home you take the card with you, although I have to admit I purchased a hire card and took it home, losing the deposit.
MTR fares are based on distance travelled, you tap in and out each journey, starting at $10.80 (£1.08)
On Trams the price is a ridiculously low fixed price of $2.60 (26p) no matter how far you are planning to travel ...... tap out your Octopus card as you get off the tram.
Buses are a bit more complicated, there is a fixed fare but the fare varies depending on route - if using Octopus tap in as you board the bus.
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What To See and Do
Most of the population reside and work in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and they are amongst the most densely populated areas in the world.
With so little space, buildings shoot upwards rather than outwards, meaning you are often walking around in the shade. Don't be fooled though, Hong Kong can be incredibly hot and humid, uncomfortably so at times.
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Hong Kong is surprisingly hilly and one of the most novel ways of of getting between the Central and Mid-Levels is The Escalator, a 792 m (2,598 feet) series of escalators and moving walkways.
The escalator runs uphill, apart from morning rush hour when it runs downhill.
It really is a unique experience, especially on one section where you find yourself passing a Marks and Spencer store.
The ultimate hill is The Peak on Hong Kong island, which offers stunning views of the city and harbour, as well as being a welcoming several degrees cooler than the city itself.
It is incredibly popular though, so expect crowds any time, day or night.
The most popular route to the top is via the Peak Tram, a ten minute journey - however it is popular at the best of times. However an hour before sunset or weekends and public holidays the queues are absolutely horrendous - expect to queue for an hour at least.
The 15C bus runs to the summit from Star Ferry, again it is very popular and if you want to guarantee getting on board get on at the start, by mid-route it will invariably be standing room only and the bus will sail past you.
The Central District is where all the glassy high rise buildings are located - a lot of them are linked by walkways so you can explore them avoiding the heat and humidity.
It's not just modern buildings, the area is home to the iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel, one of the most conic hotels in the world.
It was once Hong Kong's tallest building at six stories but is now dwarfed by the towering monoliths of the business district.
The area is home to high class chopping malls. The area used to be dominated by the HSBC Bank Headquarters, although that is now dwarfed by the Bank of China Tower, the latter, however, is said to have bad feng shui whilst the former is said to be very lucky..
Horse racing is incredibly popular in Hong Kong with racecourses at Happy Valley on Honk Kong Island and Sha Tin in Kowloon.
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Kowloon and Hong Kong Island are linked by tunnels taking cars and MTR trains but the traditional way of crossing the harbour between the two is by the Star Ferry and despite faster means of transport it is still popular with commuters who want a time to chill out.
Ridiculously cheap costing between $2 (20p) and $3.40 (34p) it has to be the cheapest tourist excursion inn town - or, indeed, in most towns.
The ferries also offer evening sightseeing tours to view the Symphony of Lights, a brilliant light show where 42 harbourside buildings are illuminated with dancing lights - the show take place at 20:00 every evening, the worlds largest light show.
You can watch the show for free on either waterfront but be aware it will be crowded - watching from a boat will give you the opportunity to watch the show both sides of the harbour.
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Regular readers will know I'm a great fan of evening Dinner Cruises and Hong Kong is no exception, with prices from around $800 (£80) a head.
Every night Temple Street in Kowloon comes to life with a street market. It officially opens at 16:00 but doesn't really get going until 19:00 with the market closing around midnight. It bright and brash and lots of the goods are fakes.
It can be crowded and watch out for pickpockets. Don't venture too far from the market as the area to the north does seem to attract, how shall I put it, working lades.
Kowloon and Honk Kong island are, as already stated, densely populated but there is more to Hong King than these areas and the majority of Hong Kong is actually green and relatively sparsely populated.
Stanley, on the south coast, was the most developed town in Hong Kong before the British moved in, now it's an antidote to the hustle and bussle of the central areas.
With minimal traffic, and a relaxed pace of life. Loads of restaurants with terraces overlooking the delightful beaches.
There is a large market with cheap clothing, silks and souvenirs. Stanley will give a glimpse into colonial life as well as Chinese culture at Tin Hau Temple.
Speaking of Temples, on Lantau island, not far from the airport, you will find Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery.
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Reached by cable car (and if feeling brave you can venture into a glass bottomed gondola) it is a stunning site. The views from the cable car are good as well - the photograph of the airport at the top of this page was taken from the cable car.
The four mile journey takes 25 minutes. A return trip in a standard cabin costs $235 (£23.50), in the glass bottomed cabin it is $315 (£31.50) or going up in a glass cabin and returning in standard cabin will cost you $290 (£29)
I am terrible at heights but still ventured into a glass bottom cabin and it was amazing - once my palpitations ceased, which was relatively quickly.
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The Buddha statue is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world standing, or should that be sitting, 34 m (112 feet) high, sitting on a sculptured lotus leaf, atop a hill.
There are 260 steps to climb if you want to reach the base of the statue - it looks impressive enough from the bottom to be honest.
The temple, like most Buddhist temples is stunning and ornate.
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There is a delightful tea garden.
Some visitors take a single cable car trip to the top ($160 - £16 standard, $215 - £21.50 glass bottomed) and walk back down
Walking down the 4 mile (7 km) path takes you through woodland, so it's relatively cool and you will pass several smaller monasteries on the journey.
This is a great place to visit on your final day and you have a late flight. You can check your baggage in at either Central or Kowloon Stations and not have to worry about lugging your bags round with you all day.
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