Climbing Kellengot 1
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Climbingkellengot’s Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong.
Disclaimer: this definitely is not an itinerary; it’s just a cheapo guide on how to survive in Hong Kong made by a certified pack-light-budget-tight-backpacker. Contents are collaborated from personal experiences, knowledge passed on by Rafael Nite and the “Lonely Planet”
First things first: Before anything else these are some points you must know when you get to HK.
Take note that NOT MANY PEOPLE IN HK WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH CONFIDENTLY, therefore these are solutions to tell you where to go.
It looks like this:
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Climbingkellengot’s Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong.
Disclaimer: this definitely is not an itinerary; it’s just a cheapo guide on how to survive in Hong Kong made by a certified pack-light-budget-tight-backpacker. Contents are collaborated from personal experiences, knowledge passed on by Rafael Nite and the “Lonely Planet”
First things first: Before anything else these are some points you must know when you get to HK.
Take note that NOT MANY PEOPLE IN HK WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH CONFIDENTLY, therefore these are solutions to tell you where to go.
-
Look for an MTR COUNTER, which would be your failsafe for any problems you
might have. You could get directions, payment, questions about places and its
landmarks, tourist information, basically anything. If the people there can’t help
you, they’ll at the least direct you to someone who can.
-
Trust LONELY PLANET, when dad and I went there we basically know nothing
about the place – we just read the book and trusted its integrity. We did all that
when we had idle time at the airport and believe it or not we never took a cab in
getting to our hotel and getting around the island.
-
Get hold of CHINESE CHARACTERS for the places you want to go to and
specially your hotel’s name.
-
Look for a FOREIGNER (Caucasian or Indian looking) then talk to and ask them.
-
Most students or decent-educated looking, younger locals can speak English
It looks like this:
This card is one of the fastest, most convenient means of payment system in the world.
You can use it for TRANSPORT (even buses), FAST FOOD, 7-ELEVEN you name it!
You can use the Octopus card to pay for lots of things without pulling out cash.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
How to get it: Basically, you BUY the card from ANY MTR STATION COUNTER. Then
LOAD some cash on the card, around $50-100 and you can do this anywhere like –
MTR station, 7-Eleven or even McDonalds.
TRANSPORT – To/from the airport
The airport is a long way from the city centre. (it’s on an island southwest of Central HK – Lantau)
There are 3 ways to get to/from the airport. I’ll assume you want to go to Mong Kok/Tsim Sha Tsui, so I’ll explain the three ways:
1. AIRPORT EXPRESS USING MTR: An easy, intuitive way, but a bit on exprensive side. Basically, take the Airport Express to the Hong Kong station (Central – 20min), and then use the MTR Red Line to get to Tsim Sha Tsui (10-15min). (using the MTR is easy enough for you to figure out yourself, but I’ll explain below anyway.)
Cost: HK$110 ($100 for airport express, $10 for Tsim Sha Tsui)
WALKING: You’ll have to do a bit of walking from the Hong Kong Airport Express station to the Central station, but it’s all indoors, so don’t worry (you’re gonna do a lot of walking in HK anyway). Probably the best part of Hong Kong commuting system is that, A. You get to walk and B. There’s just a damn small chance of getting lost. Maps and directions are all over the place so there’s no problem commuting there.
2. Bus to Tung Chung -> MTR Yellow Line -> MTR Red Line (Badass Way)
This is a complicated BUT extremely cheap (by FAR the cheapest), fast and convenient method that / and a lot of HK locals use (note: I went there on a really small budget for living and travel expenses so this is what I did when I got there) It’s quite tough to use for beginners, but it’s easier than it sounds, and you can’t go wrong if you follow these exact instructions:
a. From the airport, take the $1 bus to Tung Chung MTR station. Just say “Tung Chung MTR” to the bus driver and he should know.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
TRANSPORT – To/from the airport
The airport is a long way from the city centre. (it’s on an island southwest of Central HK – Lantau)
There are 3 ways to get to/from the airport. I’ll assume you want to go to Mong Kok/Tsim Sha Tsui, so I’ll explain the three ways:
1. AIRPORT EXPRESS USING MTR: An easy, intuitive way, but a bit on exprensive side. Basically, take the Airport Express to the Hong Kong station (Central – 20min), and then use the MTR Red Line to get to Tsim Sha Tsui (10-15min). (using the MTR is easy enough for you to figure out yourself, but I’ll explain below anyway.)
Cost: HK$110 ($100 for airport express, $10 for Tsim Sha Tsui)
WALKING: You’ll have to do a bit of walking from the Hong Kong Airport Express station to the Central station, but it’s all indoors, so don’t worry (you’re gonna do a lot of walking in HK anyway). Probably the best part of Hong Kong commuting system is that, A. You get to walk and B. There’s just a damn small chance of getting lost. Maps and directions are all over the place so there’s no problem commuting there.
2. Bus to Tung Chung -> MTR Yellow Line -> MTR Red Line (Badass Way)
This is a complicated BUT extremely cheap (by FAR the cheapest), fast and convenient method that / and a lot of HK locals use (note: I went there on a really small budget for living and travel expenses so this is what I did when I got there) It’s quite tough to use for beginners, but it’s easier than it sounds, and you can’t go wrong if you follow these exact instructions:
a. From the airport, take the $1 bus to Tung Chung MTR station. Just say “Tung Chung MTR” to the bus driver and he should know.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Climbing Kellengot 3
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Note: In case of emergency, “bus stop please” is “Ba-shee-jia, UM-GOI (or ‘unggoy’) basically the word means please, sorry and thank you – so get used to hearing that and get used to telling that one too, it helps. BIG TIME.
Note: If you can’t use the Badass Way by the time you touch down in HK, you can still use it on your way TO the airport. Also, the buses always take you across the most scenic places. On bus or taxi you’ll hopefully see the Tsing Ma Bridge, which is one of the longest, most impressive bridges in the world.
3.TAKE A TAXI. It’s a no brainer; this is the most convenient but most nail-bitingly expensive way from the airport to the city central. This one is advisable if you have a lot of baggage. As a general rule, avoid taxis whenever you can. The meter will give you a heart attack.
Advantage: There are 6 seater taxis around there, so the whole family could like fit into one taxi with ease
Disadvantages: It’s expensive, and finding English-speaking taxi drivers is literally like tossing a coin.
Cost: Usually Around HK$300 (+/-50) to the city central
TRANSPORT & SIGHTS/ACTIVITIES
Seeing as relatively few people can speak English in HK, you should know your bearings.
OK, so basically you should regard HK as a set of 4 islands. You’ll probably spend most of your time in HK Island and Kowloon (HK’s city proper). Lantau Island is wher the airport is, as well as several great natural scenic areas & tourist spots. The new territories is basically countryside – the only places worth exploring are HKUST and Sai Kung, a small fishing village with great food & beautiful hiking trails.
The Hong Kong MTR (probably the best public transport system in the world) basically connects everything in Hong Kong together quite tidily and efficiently. With the MTR, you
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Note: In case of emergency, “bus stop please” is “Ba-shee-jia, UM-GOI (or ‘unggoy’) basically the word means please, sorry and thank you – so get used to hearing that and get used to telling that one too, it helps. BIG TIME.
-
In Tung Chung you should find the CityGate Outlets, a mall consisting of
manufacturer’s outlets (they’re good if you wanna check them out). Walk through
the ground floor of the mall, and there should be an MTR station at the end. Take
it.
-
You’re now at the far end of the MTR Yellow Line (also called the Tung
Chung/Disneyland Line). Your objective is to get to Mong Kok (which is literally at
the centre of the MTR map, in between the Red Line and Green Line).
-
Take the Yellow Line to Lai King, and interchange to the Red Line (simply cross
the platform when you get to Lai King).
-
Take the Red Line to Mong Kok.
Note: If you can’t use the Badass Way by the time you touch down in HK, you can still use it on your way TO the airport. Also, the buses always take you across the most scenic places. On bus or taxi you’ll hopefully see the Tsing Ma Bridge, which is one of the longest, most impressive bridges in the world.
3.TAKE A TAXI. It’s a no brainer; this is the most convenient but most nail-bitingly expensive way from the airport to the city central. This one is advisable if you have a lot of baggage. As a general rule, avoid taxis whenever you can. The meter will give you a heart attack.
Advantage: There are 6 seater taxis around there, so the whole family could like fit into one taxi with ease
Disadvantages: It’s expensive, and finding English-speaking taxi drivers is literally like tossing a coin.
Cost: Usually Around HK$300 (+/-50) to the city central
TRANSPORT & SIGHTS/ACTIVITIES
Seeing as relatively few people can speak English in HK, you should know your bearings.
OK, so basically you should regard HK as a set of 4 islands. You’ll probably spend most of your time in HK Island and Kowloon (HK’s city proper). Lantau Island is wher the airport is, as well as several great natural scenic areas & tourist spots. The new territories is basically countryside – the only places worth exploring are HKUST and Sai Kung, a small fishing village with great food & beautiful hiking trails.
The Hong Kong MTR (probably the best public transport system in the world) basically connects everything in Hong Kong together quite tidily and efficiently. With the MTR, you
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
won’t spend more than 1 trying to get from one place to another, no matter how far it is.
You’ll see it everywhere, but here’s a map:
The MTR is blissfully easy to use, and this is the mode of transportation you should be
using the most often,and the reference by which you should be navigating HK. Either
buy a ticket for the stop you want to got using the touchscreen machines in the MTR
stations, OR use the Octopus if you have it (Octopus = way more convenient), and ride
the train.
The stations with connecting symbols on them (e.g. Mong Kok, Lai King, or North Point) mean that you can interchange between lines on that station (if you’re on the Red Line on your way to Mong Kok) example, you can change to the green line in Mong Kok.
Once you get to your station, it is recommended that you know the exit that you must take if you’re looking for a specific place (there are usually several exits in every MTR station, labeled A,B,C,D,E,F, etc....)
Sights/Activities/Eating/Drinking
Here’s a short summary of various important places on the 4 islands:
The stations with connecting symbols on them (e.g. Mong Kok, Lai King, or North Point) mean that you can interchange between lines on that station (if you’re on the Red Line on your way to Mong Kok) example, you can change to the green line in Mong Kok.
Once you get to your station, it is recommended that you know the exit that you must take if you’re looking for a specific place (there are usually several exits in every MTR station, labeled A,B,C,D,E,F, etc....)
Sights/Activities/Eating/Drinking
Here’s a short summary of various important places on the 4 islands:
1. Hong Kong Island
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
August 17, 2013
The Central Station (basically, central Hong Kong) is the heart of HK, and connects the 3 most important MTR lines. (blue, which crosses HK island; green, which crosses Kowloon, and red, which
crosses Kowloon + New
T erritories).
A Filipino corner exits in Central’s Exit A, as does the IFC Mall, the largest mall In HK. There is a Western Union here if you want to transfer money. This is near Jollibee as landmark lol.
Exit D in Central is where you might wanna go drinking – you can find HK’s most famous bar street, Lan Kwai Fong, here.
I know you are a noodle person so this is a must try MAK’S NOODLE – they are famous for their all shrimp Wonton and Beef Brisket Noodle I swear you will definitely ask for more. It’s located at 77 Wellington Street, Central – so to get there you basically from MTR Central just take the Exit D2.
I am a sucker for Dim Sum and so are you, try this joint LIN HEUNG TEA HOUSE one of the oldest joints in HK since 1928, Its located at 160-164 Wellington Street, Central – serves dim sum from 6am to 3:30pm
Other good choices from Central is Maria’s Bakery, Exit A Shop A Heung Lam Building, 23 Connaught Road Central – buy EGG PUFFS, Tai Cheong Bakery for eggtarts Exit D2, 32 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
I recommend 7-Eleven for your drinking needs – the drinks selections at 7-Eleven are usually pretty decent, and drinks are DAMN expensive in clubs/bars, but occasionally you’ll find a ice Happy Hour deal on beers in some of ‘em.
SoHo. To get there, walk up Lan Kwai Fong and up-up-up. It’s a long walk – I mean come on, It’s the longest (discontinuous) escalator in the world.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Climbing Kellengot 5
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Also, if you want to go to Victoria Peak, a.k.a The Peak, it’s also in Central. Easiest way
to get there: take a taxi any exit to The Peak Cable Car Tramway.
The Wan Chai Station is where you can get immigration/Visa/passport stuff done (look for HK immigration centre, Exit E). It also has a lot of nice bars and clubs on Lockhart Road (but his is more like a red light district). I recommend the club Tribeca.
Also in Wan Chai on Lockhart Road (Exit A2), pass the bar street, there is an AMAZING kebab/shawarma place called Ebeneezer’s (just ask around if you’re not sure where it is- lots of Pinoys or Indians working as barmen & GRO’s there). Try their lamb or falavel (veg) kebab – some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Also, if you want Thai snacks afterward, there’s a good Thai place right next door to Ebeneezer’s. A branch of Ebeneezer’s also exists in Lan Kwai Fong, the bar street in Central I mentioned (Central, Exit D).
Another good stop is Causeway Bay Station, where you’ll find a sosyal mall called Times Square.
Since we are Anthony Bourdain fans I took time to research on where the hell did he eat the market place shit that made me drool for more and more and more. TUNG PO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, a dai pai dong restaurant where tony dined the deep fried shrims, black ink squid balls and stir fried prawns, the address is 99 Java Road, North Point, Cooked Food Center – Take the MTR Blue line from Central to North Point and then take (Exit A1) that’s already Java Road then ENJOY
The Wan Chai Station is where you can get immigration/Visa/passport stuff done (look for HK immigration centre, Exit E). It also has a lot of nice bars and clubs on Lockhart Road (but his is more like a red light district). I recommend the club Tribeca.
Also in Wan Chai on Lockhart Road (Exit A2), pass the bar street, there is an AMAZING kebab/shawarma place called Ebeneezer’s (just ask around if you’re not sure where it is- lots of Pinoys or Indians working as barmen & GRO’s there). Try their lamb or falavel (veg) kebab – some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Also, if you want Thai snacks afterward, there’s a good Thai place right next door to Ebeneezer’s. A branch of Ebeneezer’s also exists in Lan Kwai Fong, the bar street in Central I mentioned (Central, Exit D).
Another good stop is Causeway Bay Station, where you’ll find a sosyal mall called Times Square.
Since we are Anthony Bourdain fans I took time to research on where the hell did he eat the market place shit that made me drool for more and more and more. TUNG PO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, a dai pai dong restaurant where tony dined the deep fried shrims, black ink squid balls and stir fried prawns, the address is 99 Java Road, North Point, Cooked Food Center – Take the MTR Blue line from Central to North Point and then take (Exit A1) that’s already Java Road then ENJOY
2.Kowloon
Mong Kok is possibly the most bustling locale in Hong
Kong. Lots of places to check out here:
Ladies Market (Exit E2): Night market where you can buy all sorts of stuff for relatively cheap (in HK prices), from clothes to souveneirs to chopsticks to...well, you get the idea. Personally I find Greenhills or Divisoria a lot better with their more comprehensive selections. Still, if you want HK souvenirs for your friends, this is the place to go. Walk straight ahead from Exit E2 (this is Nelson St,) – Ladies’ Market intersects that road. You literally cannot miss it, it’s so obvious.
Chamonix (Exit E2): Walk straight ahead towards the Ladies’ Market. It’s on the right corner, before the Ladies’ Market. Easy to spot.
Mong Kok Computer Center (Exit E2): Just ahead of Chamonix/Ladies’ Market, to the right. Computers and lots of other tech stuff at bargain basement prices. Lenovo and ASUS are good brands.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Ladies Market (Exit E2): Night market where you can buy all sorts of stuff for relatively cheap (in HK prices), from clothes to souveneirs to chopsticks to...well, you get the idea. Personally I find Greenhills or Divisoria a lot better with their more comprehensive selections. Still, if you want HK souvenirs for your friends, this is the place to go. Walk straight ahead from Exit E2 (this is Nelson St,) – Ladies’ Market intersects that road. You literally cannot miss it, it’s so obvious.
Chamonix (Exit E2): Walk straight ahead towards the Ladies’ Market. It’s on the right corner, before the Ladies’ Market. Easy to spot.
Mong Kok Computer Center (Exit E2): Just ahead of Chamonix/Ladies’ Market, to the right. Computers and lots of other tech stuff at bargain basement prices. Lenovo and ASUS are good brands.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
THIS IS THE BEST PLACE FOR
DIMSUM – TIM HO WAN well they
say it ranks on of the best in the world
– however be warned that there are
very long queues here and may take
up 45 mins of your time for a blissful
bite. The address is Shop 8, Taui
Yuen Mansion Phase 2, 2-20 Kwong
Wa Street, Mong Kok – Opens Daily
dor 10am – 10pm and avoid
weekends if you want to have food
tripping here. Hakao and Siu Mai are
favorites here. To get there Take MTR
Yau Ma Tei, It is just 2 Streets Beside
Ladies Market.
Climbing Kellengot 7
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
WHERE TO BUY GSHOCK: G-Watch Mong Kok - Room 2006, 20/F, 655 Nathan Road
(this is the building next to Grand Tower, which is opposite Langham Place Mall); Tsim
Sha Tsui - Units C & D, 5/F, No. 2 Carnarvon Road
Langham Place (Exit C): One of the most impressive malls in HK, Langham Place contains the longest continuous escalator in the world. Korea Garden
Tsim Shai Tsui (pronounced as “Chim Sha Choy”) is probably my favorite place in the HK/Kowloon city area. Nice, cheap food (it’s a major food district), a lot of culture (Cultural Centre and Space Museum) and several entertainment venues (pool halls, karaoke, etc.) It’s like Mong Kok, but a whole lot cleaner and more laid-back (but a bit more expensive). Sprend an evening here. You won’t be disappointed.
Look for an MTR exit that will take you to ChungKing Mansions (I think it’s Exit D), or ask the MTR staion attendant. Chungking is the cheapest place for hotels in HK, but it’s also very sleazy, dirt place. So why is it of interest? Well, great Indian restaurants. Look for the Taj Mahal Club on the 3rd floor.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Langham Place (Exit C): One of the most impressive malls in HK, Langham Place contains the longest continuous escalator in the world. Korea Garden
Tsim Shai Tsui (pronounced as “Chim Sha Choy”) is probably my favorite place in the HK/Kowloon city area. Nice, cheap food (it’s a major food district), a lot of culture (Cultural Centre and Space Museum) and several entertainment venues (pool halls, karaoke, etc.) It’s like Mong Kok, but a whole lot cleaner and more laid-back (but a bit more expensive). Sprend an evening here. You won’t be disappointed.
Look for an MTR exit that will take you to ChungKing Mansions (I think it’s Exit D), or ask the MTR staion attendant. Chungking is the cheapest place for hotels in HK, but it’s also very sleazy, dirt place. So why is it of interest? Well, great Indian restaurants. Look for the Taj Mahal Club on the 3rd floor.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
A great mall located in Tsim Sha Tsui is Harbour City (ExitA[1]). It’s quite a long walk from the staion(walk down the road directly SOUTH of Exit A – it’s the big building at the end of the road).
3. Lantau Island To the southwest of the city proper, Lantau is distant but it’s worth going to. But here’s also a lot of other stuff to: the Big Buddha and the hike up Lantau peak and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car are all worthy places to go to (go to Tung Chung
as described above).
Also, Disneyland HK is here, (take the Yellow Line to Sunny Bayu – it’s well advertised & easy to get into).
More on Foods or Drinks
What can I say? This is my specialty area. I’m a foodie. So sue me.
Cantonese style food is a mixed bag everywhere, both in terms of price and quality. I suggest you explore. Don’t expect perfect meals everywhere you go, but look forward to some gems, too.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013
Climbing Kellengot 9
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Convenience: Your one stop shop for that is 7-Eleven, They serve OK fast food style dimsum, and some excellent. THEY SERVE RELATIVELY CHEAP BUT WIDE SELECTION OF BEERS OVER THERE TOO from Tsing Tao (TSING DAO) to Corona to Asahi to our very own SMB! You name it they have it.
Among my favorite dishes in HK is char siu fan (pronounced “cha syu fan”). BBQ Pork, done HK style. It’sAWESOME. Another one is look for Café Coral – They serve fastfood style Chinese food – not too pricey, good on the go and the hole in the wall joint is all over the place – almost all the main MTR stations has one.
Of course, the standard fare for dimsums siopao and siomai. But here it’s called char siu baau (pronounces “cha syu bao”) and siu mai. But also try the shrimp dumplings (pronounces as “ha gau / hakao”). For drinks, try nai chai (milk tea), hot or cold according to your preference. For an authentic HK experience, you could also try searching for dai pai don, which is basically like a semi-sea food restaurant.
Again, street food in HK ain’t that great 9sewer-smelling tofu anyone? You’ll smell that everywhere, unfortunately), but there’s a nice waffle-like street food that has pockets of air pumped through it. I also recommend you try bubble tea (milk tea w/ sago).
AFTER DOING THIS – AND AFTER THE RAIN STOPS FALLING I’LL PROBABLY GO TO BINONDO TO EXPERIENCE AT LEAST 1/4 the taste of what I wrote. It’s sucks to be in my place right now and I envy you so much! I love you Nikki ko! Have a safe trip and ENJOY!
Convenience: Your one stop shop for that is 7-Eleven, They serve OK fast food style dimsum, and some excellent. THEY SERVE RELATIVELY CHEAP BUT WIDE SELECTION OF BEERS OVER THERE TOO from Tsing Tao (TSING DAO) to Corona to Asahi to our very own SMB! You name it they have it.
Among my favorite dishes in HK is char siu fan (pronounced “cha syu fan”). BBQ Pork, done HK style. It’sAWESOME. Another one is look for Café Coral – They serve fastfood style Chinese food – not too pricey, good on the go and the hole in the wall joint is all over the place – almost all the main MTR stations has one.
Of course, the standard fare for dimsums siopao and siomai. But here it’s called char siu baau (pronounces “cha syu bao”) and siu mai. But also try the shrimp dumplings (pronounces as “ha gau / hakao”). For drinks, try nai chai (milk tea), hot or cold according to your preference. For an authentic HK experience, you could also try searching for dai pai don, which is basically like a semi-sea food restaurant.
Again, street food in HK ain’t that great 9sewer-smelling tofu anyone? You’ll smell that everywhere, unfortunately), but there’s a nice waffle-like street food that has pockets of air pumped through it. I also recommend you try bubble tea (milk tea w/ sago).
AFTER DOING THIS – AND AFTER THE RAIN STOPS FALLING I’LL PROBABLY GO TO BINONDO TO EXPERIENCE AT LEAST 1/4 the taste of what I wrote. It’s sucks to be in my place right now and I envy you so much! I love you Nikki ko! Have a safe trip and ENJOY!
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
August 17, 2013
