2 days in Hong Kong - need advice
 

Thread title says it all. I have 2 full days (3 nights) in Hong Kong in the Fall (when the weather should be more manageable). I've read through the guide book and rifled through the zillion options for tours, but I'm overwhelmed by the amount of available info and choices.

Here's my thing: I'm not a big food or drink guy. I eat to live, but don't do food tourism (I just don't care that much what good dim sum tastes like and I can barely taste the difference between a steakhouse steak and one thrown on the barbecue at the pool). I'm also totally not into night life. When I travel, I like to do the early-to-bed-early-to-rise thing. Things are usually less crowded in the morning anyway. I like to see impressive things like historical buildings, views, architecture, etc. I love history and I'm definitely a nature guy, but I'm not a big hiker/sports guy. 1-2 hour walk on the mountain? Sure. 6 hour hike? No thanks. Boat ride? Yes. Canoeing in a lake? Sure. Kayaking on whitewater or Sea? Not so much.

This will be my first time ever in the far east and very possibly my last. I have to go with that in mind, so I want to see what there is to see.

I'm willing to spend a few bucks, but don't want to go crazy. What I mean by that is I'd like to keep the hotel to about $150/night if possible.

I would like to take guided tours (group is fine) as I'll never learn to navigate a new city well enough to really see it in 2 days. Again, I'll spend a couple of hundred bucks on tours, but not much more than that.

All that said, I'm looking for general advice, including things like:

- where to stay
- walking tours of HK Island and.or Kowloon - are they worth it? Which are the best?
- Is a day tour to Lantau worth it?
- Ferry tour to Macau? (sounds like overkill, but remember, I may never be back)
- Any other really good tours out there?

Thanks!!

-- Stay. Too many options to discuss. Just make sure you're near an MTR station.

-- Tours. I don't think you need a tour to visit Hong Kong. In any event, it's a place that lends itself to just strolling about and poking your head into places here and there. Keep your eyes open and you'll certainly find interesting stuff. For a classic and crowded Hong Kong-style shopping district, head to Sham Shui Po.

-- Excursions. For a two-day stay in HK forget Macau and Lantau.

-- Other. Early evening ferry to Lamma Island for dinner and a stroll and back. Nice easy walk on HK Island starting up at Black's Link and ending down at Wanchai. Aviary at Hong Kong Park. Sit up front on the upper deck of the tram and watch HK Island pass by. Walk up Nathan Road, but don't forget to explore the side streets.

Personally I like Kowloon as it is more chinese and exotic, while Central is more british; both are charming. Cordis hotel at Mong Kok MRT and the attached vertical shopping mall is great, the latter has a very high atrium with long escalator that is almost a tourist attraction, all in air conditioned comfort. Outside is great cheap shopping including Ladies Market a few blocks away (full of fake handbags of varying quality), as well as more exotic markets like the Bird market (songbirds in cages) and Goldifish market. Shops are grouped together by street (so one street may be all linoleum shops, the next is knives, etc.). Just walking around Hong Kong is a great adventure. Crossing what's left of the famous harbour on Star Ferry is a must, and dirt cheap (I say what's left as about half the harbour is now landfill and new highrise buildings).

If this is a once in a lifetime trip I actually suggest doing a day tour to Macau, especially if you're interested in the architecture. It's only an hour boat ride away and it still has some interesting architecture left from the Portuguese colonial days. Quite a contrast from Hong Kong.

I would echo all of this. Any time I have any free time in HKG, I still do these things as if it were my first time. Sometimes I'll just ride the Star Ferry back and forth a bunch of times in a row right around the twilight/dusk hours to see the lights of the city start coming on. Would definitely catch the light show from TST at least once and would definitely do Victoria Peak. Skip Macau and skip Lantau (although I absolutely LOVE Lantau).

My first time to HKG I wandered around until I found the mid level escalators, went up as far as I could go and then walked back down through the various neighborhoods until I found something I recognized. I may or may not have been very lost for a while, but I figured as long as I was on a downslope I'd eventually get somewhere familiar. At one point I ended up near a Catholic church with so many expensive cars parked out front I was convinced it was frequented by the mob.

If I had two days in HKG, knowing I'd never be able to come back, I would say the can't miss things are Victoria Peak, riding the Star Ferry a few times (ideally both during day and night) and see the light show from TST. Those were the 3 key things for me when I first went to HKG and I still enjoy them as if it were the first time. In between those 3 things, I'd just roam around Central and stop in anything that looked or smelled interesting. The mid level escalators aren't vital but if you're in Central already, you might as well hit it up. I don't think tours are necessary for HKG, but I've never been on a guided tour of any city in my life. Just isn't my style, I prefer to just roam around.

As for where to stay, it really doesn't matter as long as you're near a MTR station. I personally prefer staying on the TST side, but Central might be more convenient.

I love the big bus tours. You can do the island and Kowloon tours in less than a day.
Take a taxi to go up to the peak and the tram to go down (not the other way)
Instead of paying for the observatory at the ICC you can pay for a drink at the RC.
Enjoy your trip and do get lost in the small streets

It'll be really hot until November.

Agree completely on the peak, the escalator, and the light show from TST. My favorite place for the light show is the bar at the intercontinental hotel.

Bird street and the jade market are worth seeing on the Kowloon side. Yeung Kei is very much worth a trip on the island side.

The Shangri-La on the Kowloon side is right on the TST tunnels to the trains and is far less expensive that the one on the island.

The strongest typhoon in that region this millennium was Haiyan, which swept through the Philippines and Hainan in November 2013. I was in Hong Kong at that time, but Hong Kong was luckily spared. It was bad enough that the name Haiyan was retired from the typhoon naming list. While severe weather is far from over in the fall, the chance of encountering bad weather is not very high.

As for your questions:
- where to stay? Mostly a personal choice. I would suggest Tsimshatsui (TST).
- walking tours of HK Island and.or Kowloon - are they worth it? Which are the best? There are several historical buildings around Central.
- Is a day tour to Lantau worth it? Yes, to the Big Buddha, but there can be long lines for the cable car especially during weekends and holidays.
- Ferry tour to Macau? (sounds like overkill, but remember, I may never be back) You may not have enough time.
- Any other really good tours out there? Victoria Peak, Stanley Market... You can also check here: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...hong-kong.html

I was in HKG last August during a typhoon (Hato). Signal 10 was raised and everything shut down but it was actually a fun experience, even though it was a devastating and deadly storm for the region. I had a great view of Hong Kong Island from my room at the Intercontinental and once I was able to escape the Intercontinental through the service entrance, I ended up walking around a mostly deserted TST after the worst of it blew through. A deserted Hong Kong is a unique sight.

Found a random restaurant that stayed open and then ended up spending the rest of the day walking around the TST promenade as the weather cleared and people started coming out. Light show was cancelled that night unfortunately but it was still a fun day. A second typhoon came a few days later and caused me some travel issues, a 7 hour delay flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai and my bag arrived in Shanghai completely soaked because China Eastern had left it exposed to the typhoon all afternoon and evening. That was a less fun experience.

Depending how early in the fall the trip would be, the weather can be oppressively hot and humid but air conditioning is never more than a few steps away and the typhoon risk diminishes the later you go. I wouldn't hesitate to go to HK in the fall.

I would stay on the island myself (it's better to be in HK than to look at HK).

The chance for typhoon is much higher in August than in the fall. OP should be okay, but bad weather may still happen.

I landed in HKG from SFO the day historical high temperature record was broken. Then came Signal #10 for Hato the next day. I left for Japan the following day after the signals were lowered. Another storm hit Hong Kong when I was in Japan, and signals were all lowered before my flight to HKG. I was very lucky. It is never my favorite time to travel to Hong Kong in summer.

Sounds similar to me, I had just gotten to Hong Kong two days prior from SIN and then was just leaving for PVG when the second storm came along. All things considered, I got pretty lucky as well. That time of year wouldn't be my first choice for HK but it isn't so bad if you can stand the heat and have a little travel flexibility. I'd rather deal with HK in the summer than Shanghai, that's for sure.

Shanghai hasn't gotten hot yet this year.

Last summer kicked my butt and I say that as someone who lives in South Florida. It was 35-40 C every day I was there. Sadly it dropped to 27 C the day I left. Haven't been back yet this summer.

To be fair, most of Asia was brutal last summer, more brutal than usual it seemed like but maybe that is just recency bias talking.

Well, it's 32 here today, and it appears we have at least 10 more days of this in store. But, HK is even hotter, and has that hill problem, which can kick heat stroke into overdrive.

actually, no. it's not 32 for the next couple of days. but its gonna be rainy here (no typhoon nonetheless)

you have 2 days, skip macau. it's just full of chinese tourist that you want to avoid. other than that you'll get the architecture in lisboa and vegas (there are enough chinese at either place now it actually feels like macau with a bit more non-yellow people).

- walking tours: i'm lazy. i'll take the tram on the Island side. if you go to the end (Esp the eastern end) you'll get a feel of how local life is like. Get off, walk, get back on again. If you want to save time, take the metro back to the central area.

- Lantau: If seeing budda is your thing, sure. or better, go to the fishing village of Tai O also on Lantau (1 hour bus or ferry ride from the last stop of the orange line) instead of the old hk on the main island that is from the 60s, u'll find the hong kong that's a fishing village. I personally think only Tai O and Buddah is worth visiting (Unless you want to stay at a camp site).
... alternatively, catch a minibus at mong kok and go to Sai Kung. it's a hybrid between a modern place and a village. yet you're less restricted on the public transport schedule (and better connections compared to Lantau had you decide to stay in the kowloon side)

- where to stay for 150USD. I believe corbis is over budget... but depends on what you want, sai ying pun, shek tong tsui, wanchai, mong kok, jordan these places are where you'd be in the center of everything yet within budget. If you are feeling budgety, look for things on Patterson Street or Chungking mansion. Mind you, they are basic.

- food, i shall throw you some suggestions later, or you can look up here. I've found a few decent overnight/late eateries as compared to the list i've last compiled here.

Just to think about it, for a walking tour, look for one that takes you to the Sham Shui Po/Shek Kip Mei area. I might be able to hook you up with some that brings you to see some "homes". PM me.

very correct but afterall it does look a very portuguese... as in they look like the Pastries de Belem building by Lisboa. heehe. Or Sintra with 200x people on the street.
I've lived there, I like the place where tourist dont go, but if you want to have a feel of that place the replacement would be portugal.

As to HK it's tokyo with less polite people and a real suburb (asian) country park area, or taipei with more modern area, or London with more city life, or NYC but newer and w more HK people.

it really depends on what the OP wants to see from his trip.

Agree with everyone's else's suggestion to stay near the MTR. I really liked our room at the Ritz Carlton, but the MTR there does not connect to the main lines and you'll have to transfer. We love the location of the Conrad, but we've had inconsistent service. And if you want an amazing view, stay at the InterContinental HK and pay up to have a harbour view - the MTR is not attached, but close enough that it's not terrible.

Eliminating food from the equation takes away 75% of my usual suggestions. But if you want to do full on touristy stuff - Ladies Street Market and Victoria's Peak are pretty quintessential. I personally like the star ferry and do the regular commuting routes for some good scenic water views, but they have a longer more expansive tourist route as well. I think if you dedicate a day to Lantau, that's probably going to be a good option as well with the fishing village + big Buddha.

I love the cable car up to the Giant Buddha (though we didn't actually climb the steps, it was too hot!). That's probably at least a half day trip though, so may not be the best use of time. I think you can buy advance tickets online for a certain time and thus not have to wait in a long line, although I'm sure if you get there at opening time it won't be bad.

I loved doing that as well and have climbed all the steps. The view is gorgeous. If I only had 2 days in HK I'd probably skip it but that cable car ride is fantastic by itself.


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Stanley Market is definitely touristy, but I like going there.

In line with the poster than walked down/back from the Mid-Levels - a mapping/driving app on your phone ensures you won't get "lost" and might even suggest some "sights" along the way. And there are some options to just sit and watch the sea and people at the Stanley markets...

The Lantau cable car ride should not be missed - but take the bus one way. You might even see some cattle on the side of the road....

Happy wandering
Fred

Except the buddah is only built in 1993 and has no historical relevance to the area. Tai O is a fishing village that was build on piles from 100+ years ago.
but yeh, the cable car doesnt go there.

With two days and your interests, I'd spend one day exploring Kowloon and one on Hong Kong Island. Kowloon side - visit the Chi Lin Nunnery near Diamond Hill MRT, then take the MRT to Wong Tai Sin and visit the temple there. Both are highly significant architecturally and culturally and can be done even if raining - there is enough indoors. A good walk on the Kowloon side could include the Bird Market, Flower Market, Goldfish Market, Ladies Market. Wander around Mong Kok - interesting, some areas more gritty than others but very "real" feeling. (solo female traveler - I've never felt threatened). Google some suggested routes.

Hong Kong Island - You should also include a Victoria Peak visit starting early in the day to avoid long lines. the Peak is a must-see. The Victoria Peak Walk is a gentle walk with stunning views and a chance to experience nature. Mid-levels suggestions are good. Walk along Cat Street - curio and "antique" shops (as well as true antique and art galleries), Mao kitsch, etc. Financial district to get a feel of modern HK architecture and on down to the Court of Final Appeal, a colonial structure. You might fit a stroll through Hong Kong Park with an attractive aviary. Riding the tram the length of HK Island will give you an over view.

Lantau Island with big Buddha is very "Disney-like". If it appeals to you, you can't go wrong visiting, but with two days, more authenticity may be what you want. Tai O is fascinating and probably a vanishing way of life, but transport will require a large time allocation. I don't recommend either site in rainy weather.

Read up on the MRT - very easy to use and quite convenient. Good suggestions on taking the Star Ferry. Lots of sites, your tour books are a good guide - pick your interests. You might have a couple plans that can be switched out depending on weather. Enjoy. I've spent many days/weeks exploring HK in the last couple years. Very easy to do without tours - before leaving the MRT stations, check for the exit you need to reach your destination. Throughout the stations, there are boards with lists of sites near each exit. Once outside, look for the signs (near the street) pointing to various tourist sites.

Also read up on the MTR, which is Hong Kong's rail/subway system (MRT is Singapore's!) :D

Very easy to tell the two apart.
SG - SMRT - Smart

I wouldn't say big Buddha is "Disney-Like"...it is very touristy though like the peak without the fabulous view. There's also a monastery there too. I remember going there by ferry before the cable car and the airport was built. Tai O is about a 20 mins bus ride down to/from the village. Take bus 21, departs every hour from the village and from Tai O.

Yes, the old pilgrimage to Po Lin Monastery.
Ferry to Mui Wo, buses that were not for service on the island or Kowloon to Shek Pik Reservoir, then another older bus to the monastery.

But in all fairness, the cable car stop at the base of the Buddha is where that Disney-like feeling is overwhelming.

Do you feel the same way at the Peak? With the trinket stores when you exit the funicular, Bubba Gumps, shops, getting your photo taken at the viewing deck, and wishing you had a fastpass down the tram (particularly on a Fri or Sat night).

Anyways, I wouldn't advise the OP to visit Lantau with only 2 days in HK.

Absolutely.
Mak's wanton noodles I can understand, Bubba Gumps was never in any HKer's childhood memories.

going down? take a bus. its better than the tram. or a minibus

Bus 15, front row, upper deck.
Better than any ride at Ocean Park.

Bus 9 Shaukeiwan to Shek O is also quite a experience.

it is, but 15 was better. heehe

OP, check out the Metro Winner Hotel in Kowloon. I recall paying ~ US$85 per night in February. A block from the A21 bus stop (cheap to/from airport) and the Yau Ma Tei MTR station.