First Time International Traveler in Hong Kong!
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I was beyond exhilarated to have my first international trip to Hong Kong — the New York City of Asia. Hong Kong is famous for its futuristic skyscrapers that rub shoulders with colonial buildings and traditional Chinese temples. And since it's visa free, a lot of travelers visit HK for jaw dropping tours, amazing scenery, exceptional food, and unbeatable shopping spots, not to mention that Mongkok, the popular shopping district gained entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as the most crowded shopping district in the world!
We landed in Hong Kong around 2:30 in the afternoon. We exchanged USD to HKD and bought their sim card with unlimited data for 5 days so you could have internet connection and use Google Maps and Google Translate whenever you need it (because maybe you will have a hard time understanding their accent. Some of them are not too hospitable as well) Also, you need internet for posting your new HK selfies on Instagram and/or Facebook, am I right? Lol.
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| Photo from http://www.hongkong.net/ |
Going to Kowloon, we have ridden an express train. The Airport Express is the fastest way to get to downtown. The journey to Central takes 24 minutes and the trains run every 10 minutes from 5:50am to 1:15am. The fare to Kowloon station costs HK$90, to Hong Kong station (Central) costs HK$100.
In addition, the Airport Express offers several benefits to its passengers, such as free in-town check-in service, a free return journey (same day), free MTR connections and free shuttle buses to major hotels in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island which we had because we stayed in GDH hotel in Prat Avenue, TST. I highly suggest that you book your room in Nathan Road since it's the main thoroughfare in Kowloon. You can literally go anywhere from there.
In addition, the Airport Express offers several benefits to its passengers, such as free in-town check-in service, a free return journey (same day), free MTR connections and free shuttle buses to major hotels in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island which we had because we stayed in GDH hotel in Prat Avenue, TST. I highly suggest that you book your room in Nathan Road since it's the main thoroughfare in Kowloon. You can literally go anywhere from there.
During our first night, we opted to walk around and check near by places. We went to Victoria Harbor to watch the Symphony of Lights (the show starts at 8pm daily and lasts for about 13 minutes.) To be honest, I expected more in their show. Its not even close to what we see on the internet with so many bright and dancing lights considering it's named the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guinness World Records. However, its still a nice tourist spot. Just looking at those majestic tall buildings while in the waterfront was just a great sight.
Other tourist spots near Victoria Harbor includes the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Clock Tower, Harbor City Mall, and many more.
To end our first night, we decided to check an authentic Chinese restaurant; too bad I threw their business card and only took one photo. But it's a basement restaurant around Tsim Sha Tsui and the restaurant's English name is Sik Lik something (I totally forgot) ***EDIT: The name of the restaurant is Sik Lik DimSum ChickenPot HotPot / Sik Lik DimSum Gaibow FoWo
I highly recommend their Chili Oil Wonton! The taste is just divine and nothing beats an authentic Chinese cuisine. Wwhen you already tasted one, you can easily compare it with other Chinese food whether it's authentic or not.
On our second day, we headed to shopping malls to check some smart phones and other stuff. Did I mention that I was so surprised there are a lot of Indian sellers in HK? I mean, they would probably approach you in every single street or at least in Tsim Sha Tsui where we stayed.
We also went to the Victoria Peak by taxi. You could go there by bus but we just opted to go there by taxi because we didn't have much time left. We've ridden the peak tram which was a bit shocking for me but it's not as scary as you think. It's a bit steep but it is slow, plenty of time for you to enjoy the spectacular view. The Peak Tower is located at an elevation of 396 m, 156 m below the summit of Victoria Peak.
We went to the viewing terrace of the Peak Tower to enjoy a full view of the harbor. Needless to say, you would want to go there on a clear day.
There is a fee of HK$20 to get to the highest level where you can see the best view. Well worth it if you are a tourist, however if you are trying to save a little or perhaps you have a large group you might consider going to the roof of the Peak Galleria which is the shopping center on the opposite side of the peak. The view is similar and free!
Within the vicinity you can also go to Madame Tussaud's wax models museum. It features many local stars together with other international famous people.
After our Victoria Peak trip, we were headed back to TST for our late lunch. Unfortunately, the Peak Tram was suspended because there was a storm signal 1. It wasn't raining that time tho, but we can't do anything if they already said its suspended. We rode a bus from the Peak to the Central Star Ferry Pier then from there we headed to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.
During our last night in HK, we just went to Ladies Market in Mongkok for souvenir shopping; it's just 3 stations away from TST. I believe every tourists go there because they offer many things be it bags, shoes, clothes, gadgets, food, entertainment, and everything else is just around the corner. All in all, Hong Kong gave us a nice weekend trip!
For more information, you may visit http://www.hongkong.net/
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| Chili Oil Wonton |
On our second day, we headed to shopping malls to check some smart phones and other stuff. Did I mention that I was so surprised there are a lot of Indian sellers in HK? I mean, they would probably approach you in every single street or at least in Tsim Sha Tsui where we stayed.
We also went to the Victoria Peak by taxi. You could go there by bus but we just opted to go there by taxi because we didn't have much time left. We've ridden the peak tram which was a bit shocking for me but it's not as scary as you think. It's a bit steep but it is slow, plenty of time for you to enjoy the spectacular view. The Peak Tower is located at an elevation of 396 m, 156 m below the summit of Victoria Peak.
We went to the viewing terrace of the Peak Tower to enjoy a full view of the harbor. Needless to say, you would want to go there on a clear day.
There is a fee of HK$20 to get to the highest level where you can see the best view. Well worth it if you are a tourist, however if you are trying to save a little or perhaps you have a large group you might consider going to the roof of the Peak Galleria which is the shopping center on the opposite side of the peak. The view is similar and free!
Within the vicinity you can also go to Madame Tussaud's wax models museum. It features many local stars together with other international famous people.
After our Victoria Peak trip, we were headed back to TST for our late lunch. Unfortunately, the Peak Tram was suspended because there was a storm signal 1. It wasn't raining that time tho, but we can't do anything if they already said its suspended. We rode a bus from the Peak to the Central Star Ferry Pier then from there we headed to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.
During our last night in HK, we just went to Ladies Market in Mongkok for souvenir shopping; it's just 3 stations away from TST. I believe every tourists go there because they offer many things be it bags, shoes, clothes, gadgets, food, entertainment, and everything else is just around the corner. All in all, Hong Kong gave us a nice weekend trip!
For more information, you may visit http://www.hongkong.net/
Have you been to Hong Kong? If not, are you interested in visiting HK? Share your answer with us in the comment section below. We'd love to hear from you!
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