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DoubleF · 08-16-2017, 02:29 AM

When I'm in HK, 60%+ of my touristy time is spent in TST and Mong Kok. The remainder is probably in Central, Sham Shui Po and Causeway Bay. There's additional places, but not places I generally go every time I go to HK. That probably includes places like Tung Chung Cable car, the big Buddha, Disneyland, Ocean park, racecourse etc. Consider that Hong Kong is a shopping city.

Basic explanation of touristy stuff most people do in HK...

Sham Shui Po:

In this area, there's Apu Liu Market. IMO, it's closest to the original markets from years past. It's more casual vs the street vendors in somewhere like Mong Kok may hound you. A decent place for inexpensive souvenirs.

There's also a place called Golden computer arcade (not an arcade). It's a place for electronics. It's ok. Not as cool now that Amazon/Memex etc. don't overcharge for electronics. Still worth going to see though.

Mong Kok:

HK street markets, Lady Market and temple street are more famous, but personally, I like wandering over to the street market by Sham Shui Po (Apu Liu market). It's about 95% of the stuff, and they'll actually haggle with you. Lady Market and the ones by Mong Kok (Fa Yuen and Tung Choi) are too touristy IMO. They'll rip you off. Goldfish street is sorta cool though.

Langham place is a big mall in the area. A bunch of good decent stuff there. Style wise, I believe the main levels and basement levels are probably similar to Crossiron Mall levels of stuff (but Asian). The upper levels have some more unique items there. I rarely shop here though, but it's a cool mall to look at things.

Sneakers street in Mong Kok is worth perusing if you want a pair of sneakers.

There's smaller malls in the area too, but I can never remember their names. Just wander in when you see one. There's many similar ones in all of HK

Nearby:
There's a jade market in Yau Ma Tei a station down. Decent prices, selection and value.

TST (Tsim Tsa Tsui):

You'll pass by Sogo on your way towards Harbour Mall which is a big mall there. I believe they have a Uniqlo too. Most of those malls are mid end, like Chinook mall. Near to Harbour mall are some really opulent shops. We're talking the high end brand names around Canton road LV, Prada, Chanel... I'm talking places that make Holt Renfrew look like a strip mall.

Nearish to that area, is Kowloon park. A nice park.

In front of Harbour Mall is usually some type of display. Not far from there is the Clock tower by the Cultural centre and Arts Centre. In this area, there is a light show at night. This area also hosts the Avenue of the stars. A boardwalk along the habour with a nice view of Central.

Usually, my friends and I go to TST area to drink. No specific place in mind, many places are decent.

Central:

There's some malls in the area. Nothing specifically special vs TST. Central is also connected to TST via ferry.

Usually central is the stop I take when making my way towards Victoria Peak and Lan Kwai Fong. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of LKF, but some people like it.

Causeway bay:

TBH, I don't know what's good in this area off the top of my head. Food, shopping and tram maybe?

Nong Ping 360 gondola is ok. My memories of it is that it's always down for repairs. The Buddha is alright. It's a Buddha.

MISC STORES AND THINGS:
- Uniqlo: Japanese clothing company, but have some good quality and interesting designs.
- SaSa/Bonjour: Make up. Think Sephora, but with super low end and super high end. As addicting as video games for me, but for women.
- Hui Lau Shan: Dessert sort of place. Usually a bit packed.
- Cafe de Coral/Fairwood/Tsui Wah: It's a canteen style food.
- Open markets: Honestly, cool if you've never seen one. Boring if you have.
- Ocean park: Actually pretty fun. Better than Disneyland IMO.

STREET FOOD -I've been to HK many times and eaten street food many times, and the only time I got sick, was when I ate a cold bun... My personal rule now is: Indoor food is fine cold, street food must be hot. Most street food is hot, so you'll be fine. Lots of guides online on this stuff. Bubble waffle is my fave though.

Misc:

- HK uses the same plugs as England. Consider bringing 1 adapter, 1 multi outlet power bar.
- Getting a table in some fast food eating establishments require splitting your crew. Have individuals "float" around tables where the individuals are nearing completion of their meal. "Swoop in" when they finish to get a seat. Being "polite" North American style could mean you'll never sit.
- Bring a sweater. AC makes indoors really cold on occasion.
- Depending on forecast, bring an umbrella.
- There's a ton of signs on everything. Due to this, I've never really felt the need to grab a sim card with data. Google offline maps (now), signs/maps on the walls of MTR, detailed street signs and asking locals is more than enough. People are friendly and helpful.

- If you get seasick on ferries, get yourself some menthol rub of sorts (vicks, tiger balm etc.) and rub it on your temples and a little under your nose. (ie: Macau).

Macau:

Mostly ignored by many, Macau has its own weird little charm. It's known for its gambling, but has a funky little city. I'd suggest a day or two here. Most claim a day is more than enough. Unlike HK, I actually cab in Macau. It's reasonably priced and Macau is small. Usually, you can ask the cab driver how much to a location before hopping in to determine if it's worth taking the cab. As mentioned previously, they take HKD at par.

Macau away from the casino area IMO is perhaps like what Hong Kong was in 1970. It's slower, a bit old fashioned and a bit more intimate. But I'm HK biased, so HK > Macau. Anyways, they're famous for Portugese Egg tarts, almond cookies and jerky. My relatives mention they go to Macau on occasion to find old style foods that have disappeared from HK. However, I have no idea what foods they refer to. Definitely not the Portugese inspired food. The Cantonese inspired food. So, Macau is about food...?

Massages here (legit, not parlour) are cheaper than in HK.

They have some type of tower you can bungee jump off of.

There's ruins which people flock to.

08-16-2017, 02:29 AM	#19
DoubleF Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2014 Exp:	When I'm in HK, 60%+ of my touristy time is spent in TST and Mong Kok. The remainder is probably in Central, Sham Shui Po and Causeway Bay. There's additional places, but not places I generally go every time I go to HK. That probably includes places like Tung Chung Cable car, the big Buddha, Disneyland, Ocean park, racecourse etc. Consider that Hong Kong is a shopping city. Basic explanation of touristy stuff most people do in HK... Sham Shui Po: In this area, there's Apu Liu Market. IMO, it's closest to the original markets from years past. It's more casual vs the street vendors in somewhere like Mong Kok may hound you. A decent place for inexpensive souvenirs. There's also a place called Golden computer arcade (not an arcade). It's a place for electronics. It's ok. Not as cool now that Amazon/Memex etc. don't overcharge for electronics. Still worth going to see though. Mong Kok: HK street markets, Lady Market and temple street are more famous, but personally, I like wandering over to the street market by Sham Shui Po (Apu Liu market). It's about 95% of the stuff, and they'll actually haggle with you. Lady Market and the ones by Mong Kok (Fa Yuen and Tung Choi) are too touristy IMO. They'll rip you off. Goldfish street is sorta cool though. Langham place is a big mall in the area. A bunch of good decent stuff there. Style wise, I believe the main levels and basement levels are probably similar to Crossiron Mall levels of stuff (but Asian). The upper levels have some more unique items there. I rarely shop here though, but it's a cool mall to look at things. Sneakers street in Mong Kok is worth perusing if you want a pair of sneakers. There's smaller malls in the area too, but I can never remember their names. Just wander in when you see one. There's many similar ones in all of HK Nearby: There's a jade market in Yau Ma Tei a station down. Decent prices, selection and value. TST (Tsim Tsa Tsui): You'll pass by Sogo on your way towards Harbour Mall which is a big mall there. I believe they have a Uniqlo too. Most of those malls are mid end, like Chinook mall. Near to Harbour mall are some really opulent shops. We're talking the high end brand names around Canton road LV, Prada, Chanel... I'm talking places that make Holt Renfrew look like a strip mall. Nearish to that area, is Kowloon park. A nice park. In front of Harbour Mall is usually some type of display. Not far from there is the Clock tower by the Cultural centre and Arts Centre. In this area, there is a light show at night. This area also hosts the Avenue of the stars. A boardwalk along the habour with a nice view of Central. Usually, my friends and I go to TST area to drink. No specific place in mind, many places are decent. Central: There's some malls in the area. Nothing specifically special vs TST. Central is also connected to TST via ferry. Usually central is the stop I take when making my way towards Victoria Peak and Lan Kwai Fong. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of LKF, but some people like it. Causeway bay: TBH, I don't know what's good in this area off the top of my head. Food, shopping and tram maybe? Nong Ping 360 gondola is ok. My memories of it is that it's always down for repairs. The Buddha is alright. It's a Buddha. MISC STORES AND THINGS: - Uniqlo: Japanese clothing company, but have some good quality and interesting designs. - SaSa/Bonjour: Make up. Think Sephora, but with super low end and super high end. As addicting as video games for me, but for women. - Hui Lau Shan: Dessert sort of place. Usually a bit packed. - Cafe de Coral/Fairwood/Tsui Wah: It's a canteen style food. - Open markets: Honestly, cool if you've never seen one. Boring if you have. - Ocean park: Actually pretty fun. Better than Disneyland IMO. STREET FOOD -I've been to HK many times and eaten street food many times, and the only time I got sick, was when I ate a cold bun... My personal rule now is: Indoor food is fine cold, street food must be hot. Most street food is hot, so you'll be fine. Lots of guides online on this stuff. Bubble waffle is my fave though. Misc: - HK uses the same plugs as England. Consider bringing 1 adapter, 1 multi outlet power bar. - Getting a table in some fast food eating establishments require splitting your crew. Have individuals "float" around tables where the individuals are nearing completion of their meal. "Swoop in" when they finish to get a seat. Being "polite" North American style could mean you'll never sit. - Bring a sweater. AC makes indoors really cold on occasion. - Depending on forecast, bring an umbrella. - There's a ton of signs on everything. Due to this, I've never really felt the need to grab a sim card with data. Google offline maps (now), signs/maps on the walls of MTR, detailed street signs and asking locals is more than enough. People are friendly and helpful. - If you get seasick on ferries, get yourself some menthol rub of sorts (vicks, tiger balm etc.) and rub it on your temples and a little under your nose. (ie: Macau). Macau: Mostly ignored by many, Macau has its own weird little charm. It's known for its gambling, but has a funky little city. I'd suggest a day or two here. Most claim a day is more than enough. Unlike HK, I actually cab in Macau. It's reasonably priced and Macau is small. Usually, you can ask the cab driver how much to a location before hopping in to determine if it's worth taking the cab. As mentioned previously, they take HKD at par. Macau away from the casino area IMO is perhaps like what Hong Kong was in 1970. It's slower, a bit old fashioned and a bit more intimate. But I'm HK biased, so HK > Macau. Anyways, they're famous for Portugese Egg tarts, almond cookies and jerky. My relatives mention they go to Macau on occasion to find old style foods that have disappeared from HK. However, I have no idea what foods they refer to. Definitely not the Portugese inspired food. The Cantonese inspired food. So, Macau is about food...? Massages here (legit, not parlour) are cheaper than in HK. They have some type of tower you can bungee jump off of. There's ruins which people flock to.