Hong Kong and Macau - Hong Kong hidden gems...

Hello,

Honeymoon. Stockholm - Fiji - Australia via Hong Kong (2 nights). What to experience..? Not interested in the Peak, as we stay at RC. Not interested in "world largest shellfish restaurant on water"-boat as it looks quite tacky. No, we would like to find the places that tourists normally don't find. Restaurants, Karaokebars, crazy places - smell, taste and feel what is really Hong Kong to remember the stay, not because the que of fat germans, but because the magic night we experienced something that we never have experienced before.

Looking through lonely planet doesn't really cut it. Maybe some of you have som extraordinary tips to give?
Thnx in advance.

mhz

The Peak - once you step away from the touristy Peak Tower and Peak Plaza buildings - is one of the most underrated hidden gems of Hong Kong. Very quiet, nice paved and shaded roads (with very few or no cars) to walk around; and the view towards the south side of HK Island is totally different from your view from the Ritz Carlton.

And the Peak Tram is quite interesting and an unique funicular, with its greatly slope. I have rode a lot of funiculars in the world, and still haven't rode something similar. Definitely worth riding, even if you're surrounded by tourists from China.

There's great hiking in the hills of Hong Kong if you fancy that sort of thing. The Hong Kong Hiking Meetup Group (http://www.meetup.com/hongkonghikinggroup/) runs hikes of varying difficulties most days, though it's potluck as to what they might schedule on the 2 days you're here.

The problem with local bars (and anything else that involves interacting with people and doesn't cater at least to some extent to expats or tourists) is going to be the language. How is your Chinese?

Jumbo floating restaurant is indeed tacky (and full of not German, but mainland Chinese tour groups) on the lower decks. But the western style restaurant on the Top Deck (http://www.cafedecogroup.com/index.php?_topRm=6&group=restaurants) is quite reasonable (although not world-class by any means) and enables you to sit in the open air looking over Aberdeen Harbour.

Hello,

Honeymoon. Stockholm - Fiji - Australia via Hong Kong (2 nights). What to experience..? Not interested in the Peak, as we stay at RC. Not interested in "world largest shellfish restaurant on water"-boat as it looks quite tacky. No, we would like to find the places that tourists normally don't find. Restaurants, Karaokebars, crazy places - smell, taste and feel what is really Hong Kong to remember the stay, not because the que of fat germans, but because the magic night we experienced something that we never have experienced before.

Looking through lonely planet doesn't really cut it. Maybe some of you have som extraordinary tips to give?
Thnx in advance.

mhz

I feel offended by you racy post! :mad:

Take the tram end to end, slowly moving forward upstrairs as people get off until you get a seat at the front. With the open windows (if it isn't raining), you will definitely get the sights and smells of Hong Kong!

Used to be a local bar called something like K1 at the Kennedy Town terminus end..

Cheers mate - Congrats...

Sounds similar to my honeymoon of two years ago: RTW with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Bangkok, Hong Kong (two nights as well), Paris and home to Washington.

Granted, we had been to HK a bunch before, which is why we wanted to go back...so we did our favourite things. But for a first timer, looking for a nice and romantic experience.

Try:
* Dim Sum (our current favourite: Fu Sing)
* Hong Kong Trail (as a variation of the Peak) - we started at Quarry Bay and went up Mount Parker Road, then on the absolutely quiet and beautiful HK Trail, finished overlooking Central, and walked down near Tin Hau and then went on to eat...
* Tian Tan Buddha (Po Lin Monastery) on Lantau or Man Mo Temple on the Island
* Temple Street Night Market (even though we prefer the slightly less touristy Tung Choi St [Ladies Market])
* A Nice Meal (we always had Western Food at M at the Fringe, sadly not around any more)

Good Luck - Cheers,
jeremy

The bird market is rather charming (though a bit sad to see all the caged birds, though they seem happy enough and many flying around). Felix (bar on top of the Peninsula) is still worth a visit, even if staying at the RC.

Thank you all for good info, we definately can make some things out of this. And sorry Supermasterphil; don't shoot me for merely stating the facts - Germans, for some reasons, has very sharp elbows. Experienced it many times, never really understood why. (Nothing against Germans in general though)

cheers
mhz