Destination Guidebook for Hong Kong
|
|
| |
Expect a wonderful mixture of colonial buildings (though these are diminishing in number), ancient Buddhist and Taoist temples and statues, traditional villages and space-age skyscrapers. The stark contrast between Hong Kong's dense urban areas and peaceful green spaces takes many visitors by surprise. Be sure you don't limit your Hong Kong experience only to urban areas—take a ferry out to one of the islands for a breath of sea air and tranquility.
More traditional and historical sights, such as Kat Hing Wai (or the Kam Tin Walled Village, are located in the New Territories north of the Kowloon Peninsula. Causeway Bay is also a fascinating strolling-and-shopping site, although it can get extremely crowded on weekends and bank holidays. It is also notorious for pickpockets and purse snatchers, so watch your purse and wallet. A walk around Victoria Peak rewards you with fantastic views of Hong Kong Island and beyond to Kowloon and the South China Sea. One major tourist attraction is the Po Lin Monastery's Big Buddha on Lantau Island, which now features a cable car for those not in the mood to walk.
Another of Hong Kong's major attractions is the (refreshingly inexpensive at HK$2.20) Star Ferry, which runs between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. You may end up riding it every day of your visit, but with the city views and glimpses of harbor life it offers, there's something new to see each time. The ferry pier is on the island side, so it's a bit of a walk to the Central stations of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and shopping area.
Most sights are easy to reach via tram (on Hong Kong Island), bus, taxi or the MTR, but many of Hong Kong's famous landmarks and neighborhoods can be discovered on foot without a guide. Be sure to pick up a map or pamphlets on walking tours from the Hong Kong Tourism Board's information centers. | Historic Sites | Top  |
This Georgian-style building was the official residence of the governors of Hong Kong under British rule. It took four years to build, starting in 1851, and was still in use when Hong Kong was returned to Chinese control in 1997. A tower was added during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. Presently, Government House is open to the public only one or two days each year. At other times, it is used for official functions and to entertain visiting dignitaries. Upper Albert Road (opposite the Botanic Gardens), Central, Hong Kong. http://www.ceo.gov.hk/gh/eng/index.htm. Also known as Kam Tin Walled Village, this was the original 10th-century homestead of the Tang clan, the first of the Cantonese Five Great Clans to migrate to the New Territories. The village may be modern inside, but it's surrounded by a moat and walls with four corner guardhouse towers. The Hong Kong Tourist Board's information centers at the Star Ferry terminals and in Central (99 Queen's Road) can help you arrange to join a local tour. Contributions to the donations box are expected, as are handouts to the costumed Hakka women, before you can take any photographs. (Begin bidding at HK$10 and hope for the best.) Kam Tin, New Territories (take the MTR to Tsuen Wan Station, then Bus 51), Hong Kong. Built in 1903, this is one of the few old colonial buildings left. It was once the Supreme Court. The building is generally open only to organized tours (by appointment) and council sessions. Wednesday afternoon it is open to the public. 8 Jackson Road (next to Statue Square), Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2869-9399. http://www.legco.gov.hk. This is the world's largest outdoor seated Buddha (110 ft/34 m tall), built by the Chinese Space Agency and opened officially in 1989. Work up an appetite by climbing the 268 steps to the top of the Buddha or take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and enjoy the view. Later, have a vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks at the picturesque Po Lin Monastery. Cable-car tickets HK$68 round-trip adults, HK$45 children. Lantau Island (take the ferry from the Outlying Islands Piers, Central, to Mui Wo and then board Bus 2 to the monastery), Hong Kong. http://www.plm.org.hk/blcs/en/b.asp. Dating from 1849, St. John's Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church in East Asia. A handsome building in a style of 13th-century Early English and Decorated Gothic, it suffered damage in World War II but has since been restored. Daily 7 am-6 pm. Admission is free, but there are collection boxes for donations to help with its upkeep. 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2523-4157. http://www.stjohnscathedral.org.hk/home.html. You will have to climb 431 steps, but the reward is 12,800 statues of Buddha. The mummified body of the holy man who founded the temple's monastery, embalmed in gold leaf, is on display inside. Daily, all day. Donations requested. Above Sha Tin railway station (go by MTR), New Territories, Hong Kong. Phone 2691-1067. Standing near the Star Ferry Pier on the Kowloon side, the Clock Tower is the only remaining part of the old terminus for the Kowloon-Canton Railway line. Built in 1915, the tower made it into the 21st century thanks to the Heritage Society in Hong Kong, which put up a brave fight to save it as one of the few original landmarks of Tsim Sha Tsui. The promenade in front of the Clock Tower is one of the best places to watch the daily 8 pm light show on Hong Kong Island at dusk and snap a perfect postcard shot of the city's skyline. The promenade includes an Asian "Avenue of the Stars" walk. Tsim Sha Tsui (just east of the Star Ferry Pier), Kowloon, Hong Kong. http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_43.php. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) offers a Museum Weekly Pass for HK$30 that allows visitors unlimited access to seven major museums: Museum of History, Heritage Museum, Museum of Coastal Defence, Museum of Art, Science Museum, Dr. Sun Yat-sen museum and Space Museum. The pass is available at participating museums and at the HKTB visitor-information centers at the Star Ferry Concourse, Kowloon and 99 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Both centers are open daily 8 am–6 pm. A special bus links the museums.
The exhibits document the life and times of the man widely considered the father of modern China. Hong Kong takes pride in his local-son status and the fact that he was educated there. The museum includes audiovisual programs as well as artifacts of his life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Open daily except Thursday 10 am-6 pm, until 7 pm on Sunday and public holidays. Closed on the first two days of Lunar New Year. Special prices and arrangements available for groups of 20 or more. Guided tours in English Saturday at 3:30 pm for groups of 10 or more. Contact the museum. HK$10 adults; HK$5 disabled, seniors, students. Free on Wednesday. Free on aniversaries of Dr. Sun's birth (12 November) and death (12 March). 7 Castle Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2367-6373. http://hk.drsunyatsen.museum. Dr. K.S. Lo donated the permanent collection of Chinese tea-drinking ware displayed in this magnificent 1846 mansion, originally home to commanders of the British armed forces and now Hong Kong's oldest surviving colonial building, Even if the tea ware is not of particular interest to you, Flagstaff House is well worth a visit as a fine example of Hong Kong's 19th-century architecture. Daily escept Tuesday 10 am-5 pm. Free. 10 Cotton Tree Drive. Entrance on Garden Road, Hong Kong Park, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2869-0690. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/cs_mus_lcsd.php. A showcase for contemporary art, with major international and local exhibitions of paintings, photography, crafts and design staged regularly. Daily 10 am-6 pm (8 pm during exhibitions). Free. 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Phone 2824-5330. http://www.hkac.org.hk/venue_galleries_b_en.html. A look into the arts and cultural offerings of Hong Kong, with 12 galleries built around the traditional Chinese open courtyard. Displays range from Chinese art to the world of comics to Chinese opera. The Children's Discovery Gallery includes displays on archaeology and the environment. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-7 pm. HK$10 adults; HK$5 disabled, seniors and students. Free admission Wednesday. 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories (take MTR to Sha Tin or Tai Wai; it's a 15-minute walk from the station), Hong Kong. Phone 2180-8188. http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk. This museum, located in the Hong Kong Cultural Center, contains more than 12,500 artworks, from Chinese antiques to contemporary works by local artists, displayed in seven exhibition galleries. It also regularly features traveling exhibitions of Western art from top museum collections around the world, and it houses the Xubaizhai collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Daily except Thursday 10 am-6 pm. HK$10 adults, HK$5 seniors and children. Free on Wednesday. 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 2721-0116. http://www.hk.art.museum. A unique overview of Hong Kong's coastal defense history from the Ming and Qing periods to the present. The museum occupies the site of the 100-year-old Lei Yue Mun Fort, where the casemates and tunnels have been converted into galleries and exhibition halls. Daily except Thursday 10 am-5 pm. HK$10 adults, HK$5 seniors and children. 175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan (take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan; it's a 15-minute walk from the B2 exit—a free shuttle bus runs from the museum to Heng Fa Chuen MTR station on weekends and bank holidays), Hong Kong. Phone 2569-1500. http://www.hk.coastaldefence.museum. A historical overview of the city, focusing on pirates, wars, economic growth and hardships. It also has an excellent collection of local photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday and public holidays 10 am-7 pm. Guided tours on weekends and public holidays. HK$10 adults, HK$5 seniors and children. 100 Chatham Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 2724-9042. http://www.hk.history.museum. This converted railway station explores the history of local railway transportation. Displays include historical coaches, a steam locomotive and a miniature electric train. Daily except Tuesday 9 am-5 pm. Free. 13 Shung Tak St., Tai Po (take the Kowloon-Canton Railway to Tai Po Market station and transfer to Mini Bus 25K), Hong Kong. Phone 2653-3455. http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/english/branch_sel_hkr.htm. Hands-on exhibits that will interest adults as well as children. The Science Museum houses several exhibition halls and a planetarium, which has about seven shows a day (offered in English or with English translations). About 10% of its 500 exhibits are hands-on. One highlight is the 72-ft-/22-m-high Energy Machine, which triggers displays of spectacular audiovisual effects that demonstrate different forms of energy. Monday-Wednesday and Friday 1-9 pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10 am-9 pm. HK$25 adults, HK$12.50 children. Free Wednesday. There is an extra charge for some special exhibits. 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 2732-3232. http://www.hk.science.museum. This museum on Victoria Harbor is distinguished by its massive dome, where IMAX films of space and the natural world are projected onto a huge hemispherical screen. (The films are mostly in Cantonese, so look for the headphones that provide English translations.) There are also interesting displays on solar science, ancient astronomy, rocketry and manned space flight. Monday and Wednesday-Friday 1-9 pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 am-9 pm. Exhibition hall admission is HK$10 adults, HK$5 children and seniors. Free on Wednesday. Space Theatre admission is HK$24-$32 adults, HK$12-$16 seniors and children. 10 Salisbury Road, Kowloon (behind the Hong Kong Museum of Art, a short walk from the Star Ferry Pier), Hong Kong. Phone 2721-0226. http://www.hk.space.museum. This museum centers on a Han Dynasty tomb dating back some 2,000 years; it's the oldest historical monument in Hong Kong. It also displays artifacts found in the tomb and presents exhibits on the life and culture of the Han Dynasty. Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday and public holidays 1-6 pm. Free. 41 Tonkin St., Sham Shui Po, Kowloon (MTR to Cheng Sha Wan Station, 10-minute walk from Exit A3 or take Bus 2A directly to entrance), Hong Kong. Phone 2386-2863. http://www.hk.history.museum. This impressive museum, one of the oldest in Hong Kong, houses the world's largest collection of bronzes from the Yuan Dynasty, as well as artifacts from the Warring States Period and Indian Buddhist sculpture. Frequent special exhibits. Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-6 pm, Sunday 1:30-5:30 pm. Free. University of Hong Kong, 94 Bonham Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. Phone 2241-5500. http://www.hku.hk/hkumag. | Neighborhoods & Districts | Top |
A visit to Victoria Peak (generally referred to as "the Peak") is a must-do on any itinerary, offering unrivaled views of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor and Kowloon. The Peak is Hong Kong's most fashionable address—and priciest real estate—where, during the colonial period, taipans (foreign businesspeople) had summer homes to escape the heat below. The trip up begins with a ride in one of the world's steepest funicular railways, rising 1,224 ft/373 m. It seems, from below, to be a perilous—if not impossible—journey straight up the side of a mountain, but the tram has an accident-free record since it began in 1888. Some say it's best to go in the daytime, although others say the night view is more spectacular. (Check the weather before you set out. If you can see the top of the mountain before you board the tram, you'll probably have a good view. If it's shrouded in mist, you may want to delay your trip until clearer weather.) The Peak Tower underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2006, and improvements include a roof-level viewing terrace that offers stunning 360-degree views of Hong Kong and out to sea. Inside, the Sky Gallery features original works by local artists. Down below are a host of new restaurants and retail outlets plus Madame Tussauds' Wax Museum and, of course, the Peak Tram station. http://www.thepeak.com.hk. The walk around the Peak is one of Hong Kong's best. Walk up Mount Austin Road (opposite the exit of the Peak Tower Building) for about 10 minutes, passing a children's playground on the left and some apartment buildings on the right. The view there is quite good, although pollution from across the border occasionally reduces visibility. If you're feeling energetic, keep going up Mount Austin Road to the top (about a half-hour walk uphill) to the site of the Government House. A gentler option starts at the Peak Tram Building: Turn right along Lugard Road for a stroll around the Peak, which offers different views at each stage. It takes about 40 minutes, and there is no climbing. Don't miss the beautiful view from the road just past the Peak Cafe. Looking south you'll see Cheung Chau, Lantau and many of Hong Kong's other islands. This view is most stunning at sunset when the small lights twinkle from the islands and the sun sets beyond the horizon. The Peak Tram starts from St. John's Building at 33 Garden Road. (You can take a free open-topped bus from the Star Ferry Pier in Central to the Peak Tram terminal in the Mid-Levels on the Peak.) HK$22 one way and HK$33 round-trip for adults, HK$8 one way and HK$15 round-trip for seniors and children, free for children younger than 3. The tram leaves daily every 10-15 minutes, 7 am-midnight. Take a seat on the right-hand side. The tram makes several stops along the way. Phone 2522-0922 for tram information. | Parks & Gardens | Top |
With space at a premium, busy Central district has little in the way of public parks. Hong Kong Park is a rare exception, offering a magnificent walk-through aviary containing 150 species, a children's playground, ponds, waterfalls, a small amphitheater and an open-air restaurant. Open 6 am-11 pm daily; conservatory and aviary 9 am-5 pm daily. Free admission. 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2521-5041. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkp/en/index.php. About a 10-minute walk west of Hong Kong Park, these gardens are a welcome change from the noise and crowding in Central. The gardens, with 1,000 plant species, are literally a breath of fresh air and a chance to see locals practicing tai chi throughout the day. Animal lovers will not be impressed by the zoo, which opened in 1864 and is one of the world's oldest. It confines orangutans and leopards in small cages. You may, however, still catch sight of a flamingo prancing about. Gardens open daily 6 am-10 pm, zoo open daily 6 am-7 pm, greenhouse 9 am-4:30 pm daily. Free. Albany Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong. Phone 2530-0154. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkzbg/en/index.php. | Amusement Parks | Top |
Mickey has long been a favorite in Hong Kong, and the Magic Kingdom opened its gates there in 2005. The 310-acre/125-hectare waterfront park includes 2,100 hotel rooms and is conveniently located on Lantau Island, 10 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport and 30 minutes from Central. Open daily; hours vary seasonally, usually 10 am-7 or 9 pm. Monday-Friday HK$295 adults, HK$170 seniors, HK$210 children; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$350 adults, HK$200 seniors, HK$250 children. Free for children younger than 3. Sunny Bay, Lantau Island (easily reached via the Tung Chung MTR subway line to Sunny Bay station and Disneyland Resort line to Disneyland Resort station), Hong Kong. Phone 1-830-830. http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com. These are two adjoining amusement parks. Ocean Park features rides, including a roller coaster and scenic cable car, as well as a water park and marine displays. Don't miss the Shark Aquarium and the huge Atoll Reef Aquarium. Middle Kingdom is a living-history museum that charts 5,000 years of Chinese civilization with replicas of temples, pagodas and street scenes, as well as exhibits and demonstration stalls. Traditional Chinese acrobats perform in the courtyard in front of the giant Buddha statue or in the Empress Theater. Work has begun on a HK$1 billion renovation that is slated for completion in 2010. Daily 10 am-6 pm. Admission to both is HK$185 adults, HK$93 children, free for children younger than 3. A round-trip transportation and entry-fee package is a good value at HK$209 for adults and HK$105 for children. Ocean Park Road, near Aberdeen (take Citybus 629 from Admiralty MTR station Exit B), Hong Kong. Phone 2552-0291. http://www.oceanpark.com.hk. It's not all work and no play in Hong Kong. Recreational opportunities abound, but expect crowds after work and on weekends and holidays. Nearly all hotels have health clubs and spas, and visitors can book tennis and basketball facilities in almost every district in Hong Kong. The few urban parks are very crowded, but several outlying parks have huge areas of unspoiled countryside with scenic hills, forests and well-marked trails that make it almost impossible to get lost. All the same, take a mobile phone, water, sunscreen and a hat. To get to those areas, you have to travel: to the south side of Hong Kong Island (which has 14 parks), to the New Territories (12) or to Lantau Island (two). Outlying areas are where you'll find the golf courses, too.
The south side of Hong Kong Island boasts several well-kept beaches that are ideal for sunbathing and clean enough for swimming. Repulse Bay (named for a 19th-century naval battle) is the largest and most popular; it features changing facilities, showers and parking, as well as several bars and restaurants. Its barbecue facilities are extremely popular with local families. (Take Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from the main bus station at Exchange Square, Central. The trip takes 20-40 minutes.) Phone 2812-2483. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach. | Boating & Sailing | Top |
A whiff of Hong Kong Harbor may make you think otherwise, but unique boating and sailing opportunities abound a short distance away from the polluted shoreline.
Kayak adventures start from the Sai Kung Town Public Ferry Pier using Fast Pursuit mothership boats that carry 10 people and their kayaks into more remote areas for exploration. Reservations required. Phone 9300-5197. http://www.kayak-and-hike.com. Wakeboard enthusiasts, sailors and even luxury-yacht lovers can make arrangements for guided tours. 6b Time Centre, 53-55 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2807-1481. http://www.qtimes.com. Determined visitors can play either nine or 18 holes at this exclusive club, which has three par-70 courses. A strict dress code is observed at all times. The nine-hole course is at Deep Water Bay on the island's south side. Monday-Friday 9 am-2 pm (holidays and weekends reserved for members); a one-day advance booking is required for visitors. Greens fees for visitors (must present a handicap certificate) HK$450 (18 holes). Club rental HK$200, caddy HK$80. Phone 2812-7070. http://www.hkgolfclub.org. The mountainous terrain makes for a challenging but scenic course with spectacular views. Visitors can play 18 holes by prior arrangement (bookings accepted two days in advance) on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Tee times are 9:30 am and 11:50 am until 1:42 pm. Greens fees HK$1,400 (clubs and golf carts are available for an extra HK$340). Take the ferry to Discovery Bay from Central—it's just beside the Star Ferry entrance, and the 25-minute trip costs HK$25 one way. A bus connects the ferry terminal with the golf club. No credit cards. Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Phone 2987-7273 (call 2987-2112 for booking). The club's larger and prettier 18-hole course is at Fanling in the New Territories. Weekdays only (holidays and weekends reserved for members), and a one-day advance booking is required for visitors. Tee times at seven-minute intervals Monday-Friday 7:28 am-dusk. Greens fees for overseas visitors HK$1,400. Shoes and golf clubs HK$300, plus caddy fees. Phone 2670-1211. http://www.hkgolfclub.org. Its formal name is The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited, and it's the only public course in Hong Kong. On the Sai Kung Peninsula, reachable by private car or bus, then ferry to Kau Sai Chau. Course open daily 7 am-8 pm; bookings open daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm and 5-8 pm. Phone 2791-3380. http://www.kscgolf.com. The golf course has 18 holes of spectacular scenery on the Sai Kung Peninsula in the New Territories. Shuttle buses run between the Hang Hau MTR Station and the club; drivers can reach it via the Eastern Harbour Tunnel. Greens fees range HK$1,600-$2,000, depending on time of year. Club rentals range HK$300-$450. Phone 2791-3388. http://www.cwbgolf.org. | Spas and Health Clubs | Top |
Hong Kong has a number of spas that offer care in the form of Chinese herbal treatments, feng shui and ayurveda. For serious shoppers, pampering can follow purchasing.
This spa uses traditional Chinese medicine in its core treatments. Decor is Chinese traditional and soothing, with lots of dark wood paneling, candles and the sound of water. It also has a roof-top swimming pool. Level 41, Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai St., Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 3552-3510. http://chuanspa.com. Just what you need after too much shopping—a session of foot reflexology that includes a neck and back massage. And it lasts 50 minutes. Other massages, pedicure and manicure also available. Additional branches at 19F, Century Square, 1-13 D'Aguilar St., Central (phone 2522-1151) and 1/F, Elegance Court, 2-4 Tsoi Tak St., Happy Valley (phone 2573-3438). Foot reflexology costs HK$198 (plus HK$20 tip to the masseuse). 13/F Jade Centre, 98-102 Wellington St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2544-1010. Hong Kong's first feng shui spa is dedicated to the principles of mind-body harmony. Five granite private suites with sauna, steam shower, Jacuzzi and massage facilities. 3/F, Intercontinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 2313-2306. http://www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com. Pale wood interiors, 15 deluxe private treatment rooms, pretreatment facilities, and two Pilates and yoga studios turn this 20,000-sq-ft/1,860-sq-m two-level spa into the calmest spot in Hong Kong's hectic Central district. Arrive early to ease into this Zen zone with a body coat of mud, then take an "experience shower" enhanced with colored lights and healing scents before selecting from the extensive treatment options. Daily 10 am-11 pm. 5/F, Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 15 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2132-0011. http://www.mandarinoriental.com. This spa occupies three floors at the top of the elegant Mandarin Hotel. It offers traditional Chinese medicinal treatments with ayurveda and a two-hour, four-handed body treatment. Also has a Zen tea lounge, ice fountain, Chinese herb steam room, indoor pool and an old-style men's barber shop. 5 Connaught Road, Central (in the Mandarin Oriental), Hong Kong. Phone 2522-0111. http://www.mandarinoriental.com. Located within the decidedly urbane Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, this 80,000-sq-ft/7,432-sq-m spa resort offers facials and body scrubs to wipe away jet lag and the Hong Kong smog. Daily 9 am-10 pm. 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai (in the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong), Hong Kong. Phone 2584-7688. http://www.plateau.com.hk. This world-class spa has 14 bamboo-lined treatment rooms and steam baths that overlook Hong Kong Harbor. Go at least an hour early to open your pores and take in the dramatic views. An extensive treatment menu includes a variety of massages based on the Indian healing tradition of ayurveda. Daily 8 am-11 pm. Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (in The Peninsula Hotel), Hong Kong. Phone 2315-3322. http://www.hongkong.peninsula.com. A luxurious spa with harbor views, an ice fountain, Finnish sauna and vitality rooms. You can also partake of the "herbal cocoon room." Two spa suites have their own vitality pool, day beds and private bar. Open 8 am-11 pm. 8 Finance St., Central (in the Four Seasons Hotel), Hong Kong. Phone 3196-8888. http://www.fourseasons,com/hongkong. | Hiking & Walking | Top |
The Hong Kong Tourism Board publishes Discover Hong Kong Nature, which is available at the airport arrival hall, the Star Ferry Concourse (Tsim Sha Tsui; phone 2807-6543) and the Hong Kong Island Information Center (99 Queen's Road Central; phone 2801-7123). The booklet maps out walks covering green space on the islands and New Territories. Other Tourism Board booklets detail the geographic and thematic diversity of Hong Kong, including an excellent tour through colonial Central and Western districts. Highlights include small pockets of historical Hong Kong such as Herbal Medicine Street, which still exists amidst the bustle of modernity. Local walking and running clubs often invite visitors to join them. Details can be found in the South China Morning Post.
This 2-mi/4-km path is a local favorite jogging course, tai chi spot and old-timers' gossip corner. Pick up the trail in Mid-Levels (asking your taxi to drop you at "Bolo Do") and follow its serpentine path alongside some of the island's most exclusive residences into a lush jungle setting that overlooks Admiralty and Wanchai for a fantastic view of Hong Kong Harbour and Kowloon. The trail ends at Adventist Hospital, where you can hop into a taxi or turn around and wind your way back. One of Hong Kong's easier hikes, but still tough enough to bring out a sweat, the Dragon's Back is a hilly ridge that soars over the pretty seaside village of Shek O at the easternmost tip of Hong Kong Island. Paragliding enthusiasts use the ridge as their point of takeoff on the weekends. After a strenuous day, hikers and gliders alike can enjoy the wealth of excellent restaurants in Shek O or take a dip at one of Hong Kong's cleanest beaches. Near Shek O (Bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station to the village), Hong Kong. Across from the Upper Peak Tram terminal exit is a map outlining several possible walks. The breathtaking view from the top of Victoria Peak, day or night, is unmatched by any other. An hour-long trek around the peak along Lugard and Harlech roads (a path, really) has magnificent vistas, glorious natural scenery and some of the most expensive homes in Hong Kong. Other trails branch off from this one. The most famous hiking trail in Hong Kong is the Maclehose Trail, named after a former British governor, Lord Maclehose, who loved walking in the hills. It's for serious hikers: It stretches 60 mi/100 km across the New Territories (from Sai Kung village in the east to Tuen Mun to the west) and includes three of Hong Kong's highest peaks and beautiful scenery. It's broken into sections, each with a posted level of difficulty, so you are able to jump in and out at various points. (There's a lot of up-and-down. Only two sections are considered easy.) Hiking on hot summer days with high humidity presents a very real risk of dehydration, so take an adequate amount of water. Near Sai Kung village is the trailhead leading to one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Tai Long Wan. . Open Monday-Friday 10:30 am-10 pm (till 8 pm Tuesday), Saturday 8:30 am-10 pm, Sunday and public holidays 1-5:30 pm. Admission HK$40-$70, including skate rental. Level UG, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Ave., Kowloon Tong (MTR East Rail Station, Exit C1), Hong Kong. Phone 2844-3588. http://www.glacier.com.hk/homepage.html. | Scuba & Snorkeling | Top |
Although not as clear as those found in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong's waters are home to more species of fish than the Caribbean. Diving in Hong Kong provides the visitor with a view of two entirely different sides of Hong Kong: the natural one coupled with the underwater one. For weekend dive trips, contact Pro Dive, 2/F, 129-131 Lockhart Road, Wanchai. Phone 2890-5634. | Tennis & Racquet Sports | Top |
Tennis is extremely popular in Hong Kong, and the sound of the game echoes throughout the city from early morning until late at night. The best public courts are found on the northeastern corner of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. For more information, visit http://www.tennishk.org. The main nightlife hot spots are Central's Lan Kwai Fong, BoHo and SoHo areas, Wanchai and, across the harbor, Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui and Knutsford Terrace. Wanchai's reputation for naughtiness is overblown these days: For every tacky go-go bar, there is at least one stylish watering hole or delightful restaurant contributing to the area's gradual makeover.
Should you feel the need to venture into one of the Wanchai and Kowloon hostess clubs, beware the outrageous minimum and cover charges that are used to stiff customers for just one or two drinks. Inquire about pricing policies before going in and be prepared for some heavy marketing upon entering some of the more upscale locales (for example, a waitress may try to interest you in a full bottle of expensive whiskey or bring around other luxury items). Some bars are multilevel, with different offerings on each floor (one complex may offer separate disco and karaoke floors, as well as romantic settings).
Many pubs and clubs, especially in Wanchai, have rather loose closing times, which doesn't seem to concern the authorities. Where closing times aren't specific, assume "late" means when the last customer drops or the bar manager's had enough. | Bars, Taverns & Pubs | Top |
The bar with the view and the crowds. It's expensive, and if you want bling, order their martini with gold leaf in it. 29-30F, One Peking, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 3427-2288. Comfortable and stylish, Barco was one of the first bars to open in SoHo's developing west end. It attracts a friendly mix of locals and expats who live nearby. Sit at the bar or lounge on sofas in the rear alcove. Free bar snacks and reasonably priced meals are also available. Sunday-Thursday 3 pm-1 am, Friday and Saturday 3 pm-late. 42 Staunton St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2857-4478. Friendly atmosphere, live rock Thursday and some Saturdays, a DJ other times, and dancing on the bar most nights. Monday-Thursday 11 am-2 am, Friday and Saturday 11 am-5 am. Sunday 5 pm-2 am. 53-55 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Phone 2866-6289. Tip back a Guinness or Kilkenny in faux-Irish surroundings. The bar has a lively after-work crowd, and it's a great place to watch live sporting events. There is a second location in Kowloon at 71-77 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (phone 2301-3980). Sunday-Thursday noon-2 am, Friday and Saturday noon-3 am or later. No cover. One Capital Place, 18 Luard Road, Second Floor, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Phone 2804-2880. Very popular with the after-office crowd, especially for the 5:30-7:30 pm happy hours with free tapas snacks. Frequently changed menus, with vegetarian options acting as blotting paper for the wines. G/F Shop 1, 73 Wyndham St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2167-8883. Unlike most hotel bars, which sport stylish decor, the Dickens is a basic pub. It's also one of the most popular sports bars in town, with big-screen TVs showing major sporting events live from across the globe. The buffet lunches, which often lean toward Indian cuisine, are served 12:30-2:30 pm and are a good deal at HK$98. Sunday-Wednesday 11 am-1 am, Thursday-Saturday 11 am-2 am. Most major credit cards. 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay (in the Excelsior Hotel), Hong Kong. Phone 2837-6782. Dublin Jack is an easygoing locale that shows major sporting events on a big screen. Visit more than three times and the friendly staff is likely to know your name and favorite tipple. Offers one of the longest happy hours in town, 11 am-9 pm, as well as an artery-clogging Irish breakfast served all day. Daily from 11 am. $. Most major credit cards. 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2543-0839. Boudoir chic with plush sofas and candles best describes this snug spot in the hip SoHo neighborhood where Stella, the enchanting owner, blends Hong Kong's most-loved fruit daiquiris for an equally attractive crowd. Daily from 6 pm. Most major credit cards. 38 Staunton St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2857-2586. The name comes from the initials of places that influence it—Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. So it's the place for really chilled vodka cocktails, a taste of Scandinavian food and, of course, people-watching. Level 2, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2522-9318. This place throbs with a boisterous yuppie crowd and becomes the unofficial nightspot of choice for players in the annual Rugby Sevens sporting tournament. Be warned: It's the kind of place that hosts Miss Wet T-Shirt competitions. A DJ spins discs, and the bar mixes up frothy cocktails until sunrise. The restaurant serves burgers, soups and salads for lunch and dinner. Daily 11 am-5 am. No cover. 23 Luard Road, Wanchai. Phone 2529-1811. A chic, small open-air bar with few tables, so most drinkers stand among the tropical plants and tattooed waitstaff. Many go for the up-to-date dance music on the jukebox. Be aware that locals know the side street where Le Jardin is situated as "Rat Alley," and you might see a rodent scurry across it occasionally. Monday-Saturday 6 pm-2 am. Most major credit cards. 10 Wing Wah Lane, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2526-2717. The perfect place to watch the 8 pm light show (when light plays up and down the high rises on both sides of the harbor). Settle back in comfortable chairs and sip one of the nine mean martinis named for the mythical dragons that are said to pass through the hotel on their way to drink in the harbor. InterContinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Phone 2721-1211. This bar on the 25th floor of the Mandarin is the magnet for after-work unwinding over champagne. Book or beg a table near the window for the view or join the scrum along the original V-shaped, black-marble bar. Mandarin Hotel, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2522-0111. This sexy street-front lobby bar draws well-groomed bankers after work and ladies who shop, lunch and then hang out into the night. The clubby vibe and excellent martinis attract a loyal and lovely clientele. The bar is dominated by a huge, red-light circle covering one wall; it's the Chinese symbol for sharing existence. Daily 11 am-2 am. Most major credit cards. Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 15 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2132-0188. http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/556000169.asp. One of Hong Kong's first openly gay- and lesbian-friendly bars is equally welcoming to straights. Tucked away in a tiny house down a small lane (just above where the escalator crosses Lyndhurst Terrace), it's decorated in an ornate baroque style. Monday-Thursday 5 pm-1 am, Friday and Saturday 5 pm-2 am, Sunday 5 pm-midnight. Most major credit cards. 2 Tun Wo Lane, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2973-0642. | Dance & Nightclubs | Top |
One of the most stylish club-bars in the city. The owners even have Creme de Coco made for them in the Philippines for serious cocktail mixing. It's a little off-the-beaten-nightlife track on a quiet Wanchai back street, far from the lights and bustle of SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong. The eclectic DJs, however, make the effort worthwhile: They spin everything from lounge and acid jazz to northern soul. Nightly from 6. Most major credit cards. Starcrest, 9 Star St., Wanchai, Hong Kong. Phone 2520-2515. Once a disco, it's now a slick lounge in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong frequented by see-and-wannabe-seen types. There's DJ music and reggae Sunday-Thursday. Monday-Thursday 6 pm-2 am, Friday 6 pm-4 am, Saturday and Sunday 8 pm-4 am. Cover charge. 9 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2810-9333. Not one but two glamorous entrances—a champagne bubble elevator and an electric blue staircase—lure the stylish set who unwind to hip-hop in this expansive, lavishly decorated space. An outdoor terrace, ideal for patrons who prefer a good cigar, takes the party into the night. The groove really gets going when DJs project the latest music videos on the roof dome. Free champagne and Bailey's 10 pm-1 am on Thursday. Daily 9 pm-3:30 am, Friday and Saturday till 5 am. 3/F, The Galleria, 9 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2973-6899. http://www.clubno9.com. Super-exclusive and known for its airtight VIP area, this is the place to spot major stars passing through town—David Beckham's been known to pop in for Models' Night (every Wednesday), and local celebs are as much a fixture as the stunning Chinese birdcages swinging from the high ceilings. Nightly till late. Most major credit cards. The Centrium, Upper Ground Floor, 60 Wyndham St., Central, Hong Kong. Phone 3110-1222. http://www.dragon-i.com.hk. Early-evening cocktail lounge that becomes party-packed late at night. Members-only policy after 11 pm. Expect fresh-fruit cocktails, big queues and late-night carousers hoping to burn off the beer by dancing to the upbeat house anthems of resident DJ Joel Lai. Daily 7 pm until late. On Lok Mansion, Basement Floor, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2543-8856. A well-hidden, late-night dance club featuring the latest underground tracks, this place is big with both the gay and straight communities, especially once the bars of Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo slow down in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday and Sunday. Different types of dance music on different nights. Check local listings magazines for details. Open nightly until late. No credit cards. 23 Hollywood Road, Second Floor, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2545-0023. With two live-music rooms, pool tables, decent tapas and recently revamped bars, JJ's—complete with dark, varnished wood and Gothic emblems—is in vogue, and smart casual is the note. Monday-Thursday 6 pm-2 am, Friday 6 pm-3 am, Saturday 7 pm-4 am. Cover is HK$100 after 9:30 pm, with one drink or a tapas dish. Most major credit cards. 1 Harbour Road, in the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Phone 2588-1234. Hong Kong's top gay disco caters to a familiar crowd but welcomes strangers. Straights and women may feel out of place there, though. Resident DJs and techno dance music make this a hopping nightspot on weekends. Monday-Thursday 9 pm-3:30 am, Friday and Saturday 9 pm-5 am. 1 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2868-1316. | | |