FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - 12 Hours in Hong Kong. Tour Guide Rec?
View Single Post
Old Apr 21, 2014 | 7:47 pm
  #8  
bibbju
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,019
I'd skip both Big Buddha and 10,000 buddhas as they're both very time consuming and it won't leave you with time for anything else. And surely you'll have seen plenty of buddhas in Bali?! Definitely skip Disney (and Ocean Park) as you'd be very disappointed if you compare them to what you have in the US.

The Peak is popular with tourists but better on a clear day. If you go, I suggest you take the no. 15 bus up (it leaves from Central) and get the tram back down. Queues for the tram UP can be very long. You could get the Star Ferry over from TST to Central and then hop on the 15 bus there (it leaves from outside the ferry pier). The bus will take you through Central and Wanchai (before heading up towards the Peak) so it will give you a feel for HK and what places you might be interested in seeing later. There are also bus tours which leave from the ferry piers in Central that I've been told by visitors are very good for a whistlestop tour.

You could go for dim sum at Maxim's City Hall (close to the HSBC main building) as they still use trollies (rather than menus) and there's a pleasant harbour view over to TST). No reservations though so get there before 12 or mid-afternoon unless you like long queues.

For the light show, I'd consider booking tickets on the Aqua Luna junk (google it). Much nicer than watching from the harbourside. You can get on and off in TST.

I'd also take a trip on the Mid-Levels escalator. A classic HK experience and you're sure to see places you want a closer look at. For you wife, she'll find more interesting shops around the Soho/Noho area (that the escalator passes through) and it's only a short stroll to Sheung Wan for a more "local" feel if want to see chinese medecine shops selling dried shark fin etc. You can walk through Soho (great restaurants and bars) through Graham St wet market and down to Sheung Wan that way. You might also be interested in visiting Man Mo temple onb Hollywood Rd since it's in the area.

Shopping in HK is not what it used to be. Named brands are massively overpriced and you will no doubt be shocked at how expensive things are. Definitely don't bother with any of the luxury branded shops as it's much cheaper back home for you. The shops are targeted at mainland tourists flashing their cash (high taxes on the mainland mean HK is cheaper shopping for them).

Consider getting a tram for at least a few stops. They're slow but very cheap and an interesting way of experiencing HK.
bibbju is offline