Aberdeen CMB Buses 71, 70 or light bus 35M . To reach the South Side takes about 40 minutes by bus or taxi from the north shore; the South Side's major population center of Aberdeen can be reached even more quickly via Happy Valley and the Aberdeen Tunnel. Whereas the north shore of Hong Kong Island is a densely populated city sector, the island's central and southern areas mainly consist of unspoiled countryside. A band of large country parks covers much of the wooded, hilly terrain, which is edged with sandy coves, fishing harbours and pockets of elite residential housing.
Bank of China Building MTR: Central or Admiralty Stations An example of Hong Kong's amazing modern architecture, the BoC Building was the tallest building in Hong Kong for a while but has since been overtaken by othersi. The general public is not allowed access to the top of the building where there is a conference centre. It is possible to go up to the 55th (?) floor where the view is spectacular.
Central District MTR: Central; From Kowloon, KMB/CMB: 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 111, 113; Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui Central is the business district of Hong Kong and is home to many fancy boutiques and shops. There are small alleys filled with small shops that sell clothing and accessory items and are popular with both tourists and locals alike. The district is also home to another Hong Kong architectural wonder, the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Building. Other landmarks are the Bank of China Building, the Exchange Square towers and Jardine House. Jardine House was the building Spiderman climbed in the movie and it was then the tallest building in Asia.
Central Plaza MTR: Wanchai Station The Central Plaza is currently the tallest building in Hong Kong.
Cheung Chau Take the HKF Ferry from the Outlying Islands Pier to Cheung Chau. The Pier itself is located in Central.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui From Hong Kong Island, take the Star Ferry to Kowloon. It's directly to your right. Between the Star Ferry and the Hong Kong Space Museum. This pavilion is on the southern tip of Tsim Sha Tsui. Mainly used for concerts, plays and cultural events it is situated on the waterfront with a good view of Hong Kong Island.
Chinese University KCR: University Station I f you plan to visit the New Territories for the day along the KCR line, the Chinese University is one place to stop and look around. The grounds and buildings themselves are interesting as is the art gallery at the Institute of Chinese Studies.
Kowloon Park MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui or Jordan Here you will find lots of greenery in a busy area of the city. Check out the Chinese Gardens within the grounds.
Hong Kong Space Museum Housing one of the world's largest and most technically sophisticated planetariums, the Space Theatre, is where Omnimax and Skyshows are presented. The museum also houses the Hall of Space Science and the Hall of Astronomy.
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens Located on upper Albert Road . Contains a good collection of animals, including an aviary.
Jade Market is located on the junction of Kansu and Battery streets, this casual, open-air market boasts more than 400 stall owners. Starting at 10am it runs till about 3:30pm daily. But the best time to go is in the morning.
Deep Water Bay/Repulse Bay From MTR Central Station, take the CMB 260 air-conditioned bus towards Stanley. Here you will find one of the many beaches in Hong Kong. The water quality is not the best, but the views are wonderful.
Lan Kwai Fong An L-shaped lane which is home to numerous chic restaurants . The area truly comes into its own in the late evening, when Hong Kong's trendy young set frequents its fashionable discos, pubs and bars.
Horse Racing MTR: Causeway Bay Horse's and horse racing is very much part of many Hong Kong residents lives and what better way to enjoy the thrill and colour of these magnificent creatures than to watch them in action. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club organizes races on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at one of two sites: Happy Valley or at Shatin.
Museum of Tea Ware MTR: Admiralty Located in Hong Kong Park this is an interesting museum for young and old alike.
Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park MTR: Mei Foo This is the second largest amusement park in Hong Kong though possibly not the best or most favoured amongst locals. The kids will love it though.
Lau Fau Shan New Territories, rent a car Lau Fau Shan is a well-known fishing village. Here you can go to the market, purchase the fish you want and take it to a restaurant where the chef will cook it for you. On a clear day you can see China across Deep Bay.
Mongkok/Ladies Street MTR: Mong Kok . At MTR Mong Kok Station, find the Bank Centre exit. Mongkok is the most densely populated district in the world. Once you leave the station walk down Nelson Street until you make it to Tung Choi Street. The night market is also known as Ladies Street, since it mostly sells ladies wear including clothing, cosmetics, etc. for bargain basement prices. Best time to visit Ladies Street is from 7 to 10 in the evening.
Hong Kong Museum of Art MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui Located next to Hong Kong Space Museum, the gallery houses prints, artwork and artifacts of Hong Kong and Macau.
Hong Kong Museum of History MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui, then walk through Kowloon Park This museum is a worthwhile stop and there are a number of exhibits, from wax-museum-like figures to shows depicting the history of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Park MTR: Admiralty Opened in 1991, you'll find the Museum of Tea Ware (free admission) located here plus an aviary with tropical birds and plants. The walk is highly recommended as well. It is also very close to the Peak Tram Station.
Tai Tam CMB Bus 2 or 20 from the Hong Kong Star Ferry, then take bus 9 from the Shaukiwan Terminus . Tai Tam is where the Tai Tam Country Park is and a rather pleasant reservoir. It is a great place for hiking.
The Peak ( MTR: Central) From the Star Ferry (Hong Kong side), walk to the left and queue up for the free bus ride to the tram station at Garden Road. From MTR Central Station, exit at Chater Garden and walk towards the Hilton to Garden Road then walk along Garden Road. You have to take an incline car to the top of the peak or you can walk on the fairly flat road which rings the top of the mountain. The view of Kowloon and Hong Kong is fantastic. Tip: The return trip from the Peak Tram Station in Central to the Star Ferry is free with a receipt from the Peak Tram.
Lantau Island From the HKF Outlying Islands Pier at Central, catch the ferry to Mui Wo. Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong and is worth a day's visit and easily explore-able by bus. Tip: The signs are well indicated and buses leave the terminus about 15 minutes after the arrival of the ferry. If you miss it, you may have to wait for 1/2 hour for the next bus. There are lots of hiking trails dotted around the island as well as a number of tourist attractions such as the Po Lin Monastery. You can rent horses at this monastery and if you are up to it, they make a pleasant way to view the surrounding landscape. Lantau Island also has some good beaches.
Temple Street MTR: Jordan. From the Jordan Station, walk towards the Jordan Ferry going westbound from Nathan Road, Temple Street is the third street to your right. Also known as the "Night Club for the Poor", Temple Street markets are a place for authentic Chinese food, fake watches and fortune telling. Don't forget to bargain.
Tsing Ma Bridge The world's longest suspension bridge carrying road and rail traffic, the 2.2 kilometre Tsing Ma Bridge forms part of the infrastructure for Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok and has quickly become one of Hong Kong's defining landmarks. The adjacent Lantau Link Visitors Centre and Viewing Platform chronicles one of this century's most impressive engineering marvels and provides a sweeping panoramic view.
Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (MTR: Sheung Wan Note: There is a departure tax but there is no tax on the return trip from Macau to Hong Kong. Macau is about 65 km from Hong Kong and is famous for its gambling joints. Full of Spanish architecture and the Spanish language being heard on every corner it makes for an interesting visit. There are ruins of a cathedral and an old fort to explore as well as a number of historical sights around town. Macau has its own currency the pataca, which is worth almost exactly the same as HK dollars. Tip: You don't need to change any money into patacas as you can use HK$ there and HK will not exchange patacas for HK dollars on your return to Hong Kong. Remember, Macau is technically a foreign country, so you have to go through customs .
New Territories If you are interested in urban development take a hydrofoil from Central to Tuen Mun. On arrival get on the Light Rail line and travel to Yuen Long, getting off at some of the intermediate stops en-route if you want to see how the new Hong Kong new middle class lives. There are also some temples, parks and sports facilities accessible by the train, information for which is available at the Tuen Mun ferry terminal.
Tsim Sha Tsui MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui: From Central, take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui This is one of the major areas in Hong Kong where one finds hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and the like. On Granville Road, you'll find a lot of factory clothing outlets selling clothes at bargain basement prices. Tip: When shopping, be very cautious about the quality of clothes. See also: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Space Museum, Kowloon Park, Ocean Terminal/Ocean Centre/Harbour City, Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour.
University of Hong Kong From MTR Central Station, take the light bus at the Bus Terminus below Exchange Square towards Aberdeen. Inform the driver ahead of time that you want to leave at the University of Hong Kong. CMB: 3 (from outside Jardine House. Get off at the terminus.) As with many universities around the world the University of Hong Kong is an interesting spot to visit. Located in the grounds is the Fung Ping Shan Museum and the Main Building and the Stanley Ho Sports Centre are worth looking at.
Night Clubs Can be found in many in tourist areas. Watch out for bars that are fronts for brothels where the first round of drinks includes the girl behind the bar.
Ocean Park MTR: Admiralty, take the City-bus direct to Ocean Park If you like amusement parks, this one is a "must-see" especially if you have children with you.
Ocean Terminal/Ocean Centre/Harbour City MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui not far from the Star Ferry. This three shopping mall complex is one of the largest in Asia. It is mainly a shopping mall for tourists. Shops include Toys 'R' Us, Lane Crawford, Marks and Spencer, and a Computer City.
Po Lin Monastery is Lantau's most popular sight and a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong. Set amid spectacular mountainous scenery on the 520-metre-high Ngong Ping plateau, Po Lin ("Precious Lotus") Monastery caters to visitors with a large vegetarian restaurant. Many visitors climb Lantau Peak (known locally as Phoenix Mountain); at 934 m, it is the second highest peak in Hong Kong
Repulse Bay See Deep Water Bay
Sai Kung The Sai Kung area, located in the eastern part of the New Territories , is known for its' country parks and as a fishing village. Seafood restaurants are plentiful.
Stanley Beach From MTR Central, walk to the Bus Terminus below Exchange Square and take the CMB 260 to Stanley. Stanley was once a prisoners' camp operated by the Japanese during WWII. Now it's known as a spectacular beach. Stanley market is worth a visit for cheap clothing, linen and bric-brac.
Victoria Harbour See also: Star Ferry The cheapest and easiest way to get a view of both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula is by taking the Star Ferry. They are cheap and do tours of the harbour. They have morning, afternoon, sunset and night cruises. Another excellent place to view the harbour is at Tsim Sha Tsui East. From the Star Ferry on the Kowloon side, walk along Salisbury Road until you reach the Regent/New World Centre. The New World Centre is where the sidewalk along the coast begins. Walking this way takes you all the way to Tsim Sha Tsui East and Hung Hom where the KCR Kowloon Station is. |
