I think OP had already stretched about they are going to skip disneyland, what makes you think they want to go to Ocean Park instead ? If anyone from the states, there are much more nicer Aquarium and Oceanarium than Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Ocean Park is more for local and tourists from China, I wouldn't recommend anyone that is European or American to spend the time and money over there at all.
I was at Ocean Park last Monday and cannot agree the opinions posted here. There is much more to the park than a local version of "Sea World".
The park is basically 3 attractions in one, a nature park consisting of the giant Pandas, "Sea World", bird aviary, fish and Jellyfish attractions; a great amusement park with many high thrill rides literally flying into the sea ( and a milder children's section) ; and a fantastic mile long cable car ride, a ballon ride and much more.
It depends of course if you and your child like these types of rides. If yes then go, if not don't. It is almost a full days activity. You could finish off the day with a trip from there to the Stanley area with its markets and restuarants
If you do decide to go, I found a good deal on tickets at the offices of China Travel Service (all over the city) 179 HKD instead of the regular 208 for an adult. The transaction took 2 minutes even with an agent who didn't speak English
Food and drink prices are very high and there are no water fountains so if you like backback your own food and drink, or be prepared for sticker shock at the counters
The park is built on a mountain and there is a tremendous amount of walking, so be prepared. The cable car connects the upper and lower parks
Enjoy
I was at Ocean Park last Monday and cannot agree the opinions posted here. There is much more to the park than a local version of "Sea World".
For the OP only have 3 days in Hong Kong, and are not thrilled of Tokyo Disneyland (given the one in Tokyo is much bigger than the one in Hong Kong), spending a day on ocean park seems a waste. Hong Kong Tourism Board does not even advertise this "attraction" to foreigners, as they know there are much nicer parks out there. UA Hemisphere magazine did the feature 3 perfect days in "Hong Kong" twice in the last 10 years, it does not even feature Ocean Park, as there are really a lot more to see in Hong Kong than Ocean Park.
The pandas, birds, and fish can be seen for free in some US parks, e.g. Lincoln Park in Chicago, National Zoo in DC. There are much more fun thrilled rides in the US, e.g. Six Flags Great America.
The cable car ride in Ocean Park shut down more than you think, you are in a lucky day. As everyone knows, weather in Hong Kong is really unpredictable, more rain than sunny days especially during summer.
There are no water fountains in Hong Kong as water in Hong Kong is not safe to drink from the tap, the main source is from huge water pipes from China and local reservoirs. You have to either boil your own water or buy bottles of water.
There are no water fountains in Hong Kong as water in Hong Kong is not safe to drink from the tap, the main source is from huge water pipes from China and local reservoirs. You have to either boil your own water or buy bottles of water.
HK water is perfectly potable and there are water fountains in many public places (parks etc).
This is just complete bollocks. HK water is perfectly potable and there are water fountains in many public places (parks etc).
I borned and raised in Hong kong, didn't leave until I was 18, how about you ? But we are teached by parents, by schools, by books that water has to be boiled before we drink it, or else you get intestinal diseases. In fact, one of the habits are elder would get up early in the morning and boil a pot of water to drink rather than making Chinese or English tea, every family has a water pot.
One of my cousins also grew up in Hong Kong, he moved to the states for so long that when he returned to HK and stay in a hotel, he drank the water from the tap, then he had bad diaherra and vomit the next day. In fact, SARS was spread from the water pipe as well remember in one of the buildings in Amoy Garden ? Ever see on of those ad on TV about the government ask the citizens in order to maintain good health, washing hands, cook meat thoroughly and boil the water ?
As far as I know, those who drank tap water in Hong Kong has a filter at home, to get rid of most bacteria, but not a lot do that as good filters are expensive and still not as good as boiling the water. There are water fountains in some places, but not many, they are used for refreshing the face or people use it to wash hands. Do a survey and ask how many locals would drink water from the tap, and if they do, they drink it on a rare occasion or all the time like those in the US ?
If your daughter likes to learn new cultures, get up early and you can both take the Tai Chi class given free (and in english) in front of the Art Museum on the Waterfront in Kowloon. It is great fun, the people are very nice and friendly and I am sure they would love to have a 10 year old join them.
Also often at that time, school groups are out on the waterfront talking to tourist and "taking a survey". It might be fun for her to talk to kids her age, and I know the kids love to converse in english.
PS: always bottled water available, I would vote with sticking with it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by christep
Yes, comfortably, if you have 3 full days.
My suggestion for Lantau Island if you fancy a nice long day with some hiking:
(this only really works on Saturdays or Sundays when the cable car starts at 9am; other days it's 10am and that makes the schedule a bit tight)
08:15 from HK Station take the MTR to Tung Chung
09:00 Get the first Cable car to the Buddha & Monastery (an hour walking around covers both)
10:35 #21 bus to Tai O
11:00 Walk around and early lunch at a local seafood place in Tai O
12:15 Hike stages 7 & 8 of the Lantau Trail (16km) with pauses to explore the fort etc at Fan Lau
17:30 Arrive Shek Pik; take a #1 bus (or #2, but that's more expensive) to Mui Wo.
18:30 (or so, depending on how long you have to wait for a bus) arrive Mui Wo and proceed to the China Bear pub - sit outside taking a drink and some pub grub whilst waiting for
19:30 (Sat) or 20:00 (Sun) the slow ("ordinary") ferry back to Central (the slow one is much better for admiring the view from the open decks as you pass through the anchored ships and into Hong Kong harbour).
For the other days I would second what others have said above, but say that "harbour tours" aren't really good value. You can get to see all the same stuff by taking the Star Ferry from Central to Hung Hom and back. Try to time it so that you travel from Central just before sunset, then you'll have a 15 minute ride, a 20 minute wait in Hung Hom admiring the sunset (unless you really scoot round from arrivals to departures and catch the same ferry back - but why rush) and then get the ferry back after dark. Note that the last ferry is at 7pm on that route.
Get normal Octopus Cards (not the 3-day tourist ones unless you plan to use the MTR a lot) for use on the MTR, all the buses, and the ferries. Put maybe $200 of credit on each of the cards when you buy them - you can get it refunded (less a HK$7 handling charge) when you hand the cards back when you leave. Your daughter qualifies for a Child Card which gets her discounts on most services.
Chris, OMG, that is fantastic. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I have printed it out and we are doing it on Saturday. Thanks for all the references and the advice. You have made my life so much easier. Thanks!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SQ4000
The quick answer is 'yes' you will have plenty time to do all the other things, such a food, eat, shop, food, eat...
One thing you need to plan ahead is the choice of your hotel, location is all important, not only for the convenience, but also for the views. If you need suggestions, just let us know the price range you have in mind.
One thing you might like to consider is to have a 'chop' made for your daughter, its a Chinese name stamp, used in place of a signature. Tell them her name and they will carve it in Chinese, so she can show it to all her friends her name in Chinese when she get home.
The suggestion from christep is wow! I might even give it a try next time I am in HK.
Have a great trip, I am sure you will.
We are staying at the Conrad (Only Hilton property, staying on points) Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, HK. It says it is a great location, hopefully it is!
I love the idea for a chop! Any particular place to get them or are they everywhere?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LongingForORD
If your daughter likes to learn new cultures, get up early and you can both take the Tai Chi class given free (and in english) in front of the Art Museum on the Waterfront in Kowloon. It is great fun, the people are very nice and friendly and I am sure they would love to have a 10 year old join them.
Also often at that time, school groups are out on the waterfront talking to tourist and "taking a survey". It might be fun for her to talk to kids her age, and I know the kids love to converse in english.
PS: always bottled water available, I would vote with sticking with it.
It's on the list! I have always wanted to do Tai Chi and I think she will like it too. I really hope there are kids out, she is a real talker! Thanks for that link too, it has some great info!
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We are staying at the Conrad (Only Hilton property, staying on points) Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, HK. It says it is a great location, hopefully it is!
I love the idea for a chop! Any particular place to get them or are they everywhere?
Conrad is a lovely hotel, and very convenient, with a HUGE shopping mall under it, IMHO, one of the smartest mall on Hong Kong Island. The tram stop is almost right outside. I stayed there before, I think it was on the 52nd floor. I had a harbor view room, and that was the only problem; Marriott was in the way of my harbor view! You will enjoy the hotel nevertheless.
Go out the back entrance of Conrad (actually, that is the main entrance, where you arrive) the Peak Tram station is a short walk away through a small park. Do ask the front desk for directions, they are extreamly helpful.
Take a look in the Hong Kong Tramways website, look under the 'points of interest' Western Market is one of the main tram stops, head for Hollywood Road and Ladder Street (once upon a time one can walk all the way up to the peak from there! You still could! But Peak Tram is quicker) on the way you will see lots of little stores specialise in chop-making. There were also some 'chop-makers' in the Peak Station, but I think these are more touristy, in areas around Hollywood Road you will have a much better choice, and are more 'authentic'. Hollywood area is very interesting to explore. One historical note, that is where the British first took possession of Hong Kong.
Ask your ten year old to do some research on that website, she will tell you all the interesting place to go and see.
Enjoy your trip.
Just a small note while I remember, the area around Hollywood Road are full of 'antique' shops, the 'antiques' are either grossly over priced, poor quality or fakes, so please beware.
We are staying at the Conrad (Only Hilton property, staying on points) Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, HK. It says it is a great location, hopefully it is!
Good for you ! You will probably get to upgrade to the exec. floor, hopefully with habor view as well. Don't forget the rubber duck in the bathroom and the teddy bear on the bed.
One place not yet mentioned in this thread but that I visit almost every time I visit Hong Kong is Cheung Chau. See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheung_Chau
It is an island with lots of fishing boats, no cars, plenty of sea food restaurants, a small beach and narrow streets with small shops to explore.
It is a nice boat ride from HK Island, which will also give you nice views of the HK skyline, especially at night.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SQ4000
Conrad is a lovely hotel, and very convenient, with a HUGE shopping mall under it, IMHO, one of the smartest mall on Hong Kong Island. The tram stop is almost right outside. I stayed there before, I think it was on the 52nd floor. I had a harbor view room, and that was the only problem; Marriott was in the way of my harbor view! You will enjoy the hotel nevertheless.
Go out the back entrance of Conrad (actually, that is the main entrance, where you arrive) the Peak Tram station is a short walk away through a small park. Do ask the front desk for directions, they are extreamly helpful.
Take a look in the Hong Kong Tramways website, look under the 'points of interest' Western Market is one of the main tram stops, head for Hollywood Road and Ladder Street (once upon a time one can walk all the way up to the peak from there! You still could! But Peak Tram is quicker) on the way you will see lots of little stores specialise in chop-making. There were also some 'chop-makers' in the Peak Station, but I think these are more touristy, in areas around Hollywood Road you will have a much better choice, and are more 'authentic'. Hollywood area is very interesting to explore. One historical note, that is where the British first took possession of Hong Kong.
Ask your ten year old to do some research on that website, she will tell you all the interesting place to go and see.
Enjoy your trip.
Just a small note while I remember, the area around Hollywood Road are full of 'antique' shops, the 'antiques' are either grossly over priced, poor quality or fakes, so please beware.
Thanks for those hints! You have no idea how much I appreciate the information you and everyone else has provided. You have taken away a lot of apprehension I initially had in bringing my daughter with me. Thank you!
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Thanks for those hints! You have no idea how much I appreciate the information you and everyone else has provided. You have taken away a lot of apprehension I initially had in bringing my daughter with me. Thank you!
Please let us know how the trip went, what you and your daughter did and what was her most favorite.
) on the way you will see lots of little stores specialise in chop-making. There were also some 'chop-makers' in the Peak Station, but I think these are more touristy, in areas around Hollywood Road you will have a much better choice, and are more 'authentic'. Hollywood area is very interesting to explore. One historical note, that is where the British first took possession of Hong Kong.
