Hong Kong trip

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pmac

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Hope this is the right forum to post this..

Im away to shanghai again in april and have decided im going to make a trip to HK this time as well. I will be leaving the wife and kids at her parents and going alone :woot::woot:

So I've never been there, speak no chinese,even though my wife is chinese and have never traveled alone before.

Am I best to limit the kit I take, will have 24-70,70-200vr2,85 1.4 and 50 1.8 with me in shanghai .. but was thinking could take the 27-70 and either 50 or 85(prob 50 as its small).??

I know the place is relatively safe, but what do people do with cash/camera if they want to go out without them at night say..leave in room/room safe/ reception safe??? i wont be staying in any 5* hotels probably 3* at most looking to do this as cheap as possible to a certain extent.

Any advise on where to go and what to see,especially photography related would be greatly appreciated and any advise on being there.
 
leave gear in safe and insure your gear and not worry.

i went to miami last year and stayed in a small 3 star hotel and left my gear in the safe while i was chillin in the beach.

bring 24-70 and 85. you will be good to go.
 
Contact the hotel prior to leaving the UK and confirm they have a safe in the room. Most hotels do, but even if they do not, they usually have one in the reception.

Don't worry about the language; 60 - 70 % (at a guess) of people in Hong Kong speak english so you should be ok, also most of the signs in the city are in both languages. They have an amazing underground train system which is very cheap to use, and you can buy a ticket at HK international airport which you can reload and use on busses as well.

I have been six times, and would go again if the finances would allow!

Also, be careful where you use your card - I have had mine cloned twice while out there. My solution to this was to buy a prepaid Mastercard from "The Moneyshop" which you can load up with as much or as little cash as you want - I think they do an international version which can be loaded with US dollars (changed from sterling). I have three of the prepaid cards so if one gets cloned then I just transfer money to another from my main bank account which never gets touched other than to transfer to the prepaid cards. I only transfer as much as I would use in a day, and would not keep them all together and have a small amount of cash on me.

If you need to pay by credit card for your hotel prior to arrival, their payment system can take a few days to process the payment - I was asked to pay again in cash when I arrived at one hotel as the FIVE working days had not passed since the hotel charged my card.

If you take your mobile phone with you, make sure the data connections are switched OFF so you do not incur roaming data charges at £12 per Mb - my company phone bill ended up being £600 for three days in HK - you can also get a local pay as you go type sim at HK airport.

Make sure your Visa's are in place before you leave, HK do let in people native to the UK (as in UK Passport holders) without a visa as long as it is for holiday and not for work. For work, an extra visa is required (I believe!).

Above all - enjoy your trip!

Cheers,
Ste
 
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I went there a few years back and it's hugely worth doing. Getting around is easy, the MTR (underground) is awesome and is all bilingual including a rather brilliant "Mind The Gap". Well, it was people from the London Underground who built it after all. Language isn't a problem at all.

I wouldn't be at all concerned wandering around with a camera during the day, at night I'd carry it in a non-descript bag but wouldn't worry about pulling it out to use it.

Piccies - Wide angles are vital, everything is very big and very close! The classic HK shots come from the top of The Peak on HK Island, yes they've all been done before but you still HAVE to do The Peak! Filthy cheap rack'n'pinion railway to the top and you'll never ever forget it. Other classic shots are from the Star Ferries which cross the harbour. Filthy cheap and again an absolute MUST do.

Things to watch out for - card cloning as mentioned above; people spitting in the street; the whole place stinks (it has a unique smell); hassle from people paid to drag you into their bar ("all our girls clean!"); over-zealous air conditioning in restaurants which makes some places WAY too cold; moaning expats in bars.

Other really good things: Chinese breakfast; outdoor air conditioned escalators between the levels on the Island; food, food and food, smell of food, everywhere; chasing the Happy Hours round the bars!
 
Public transport in HK is cheap and efficient and must I say clean.

From the airport there is the MTR to Kowloon and Hong Kong island itself

If you do visit Hong Kong on a regular basis, perhaps it is worth getting an Octopus card (works in a similar way to London Oyster) but this card is useful as you can use to pay for things at certain shops too

No Need for visas if you are are on holiday, you will be given 180 days in HK.

Things to photograph:


What everyone has done before but you must do anyways

a) From the Peak towards Kowloon
b) From Kowloon Side towards Hong Kong island (Avenue of the Stars, and watch the infamous Symphony of Lights show) around 8.00pm every night depending on weather)


c) You can then check out some of Hong Kong's islands e.g Lantau Island, home of the Po Lin monastery and the 85ft Bronze Buddha.

Worth having a look at Tai O( somewhat touristy but its a must I think)

Other locations, Sai Kung Country park is worth checking out I feel for some natural beauty, and for quieter islands perhaps Tap Mun which you can get to by going to Sai Kung.


For architectural shots of the sky scrapers, head over to Hong Kong island, and get off from Wan Chai or Central and have a look around.

For some nice gardens and temple architecture, have a look at the Chi Lin Nunnery as well as Man Mo temple, which features spiral based incense sticks etc.


I do not worry too much about personal security in HK to be honest esp if you stick to the main streets etc and certainly I dont have an issue with displaying my camera gear.

If you need need anymore tips, dont hestitate to give me a shout, I am off there in May for my birthday.
 
jacob12_1993 said:
If you want to cut down on gear take the 24-70 and the 85 then you have a nice walkabout and portrait lens set-up.

If you really have to leave your gear in the hotel think about investing in a pacsafe http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-55l-bag-protector
Click to expand...

I dont know if I'm going for sure yet and I defiantly cant spent money on one of them sadly. Its all dependant on price as its going to cost more than expected it seems. the flights alone to shanghai were around £2400 and for 4 nights in a cheapish hotel and flights from SH to Hk seems to be about £550


jonneymendoza said:
leave gear in safe and insure your gear and not worry.

i went to miami last year and stayed in a small 3 star hotel and left my gear in the safe while i was chillin in the beach.

bring 24-70 and 85. you will be good to go.
Click to expand...

All my kits insured, I just want extra protection as I will be returning to shanghai for another week, this is planned for the middle week out of three out there. I also know how things can just disappear over there,even when supposedly in a safe place.(probably else where also)


Ste_Lord said:
Contact the hotel prior to leaving the UK and confirm they have a safe in the room. Most hotels do, but even if they do not, they usually have one in the reception.

Don't worry about the language; 60 - 70 % (at a guess) of people in Hong Kong speak english so you should be ok, also most of the signs in the city are in both languages. They have an amazing underground train system which is very cheap to use, and you can buy a ticket at HK international airport which you can reload and use on busses as well.

I have been six times, and would go again if the finances would allow!

Also, be careful where you use your card - I have had mine cloned twice while out there. My solution to this was to buy a prepaid Mastercard from "The Moneyshop" which you can load up with as much or as little cash as you want - I think they do an international version which can be loaded with US dollars (changed from sterling). I have three of the prepaid cards so if one gets cloned then I just transfer money to another from my main bank account which never gets touched other than to transfer to the prepaid cards. I only transfer as much as I would use in a day, and would not keep them all together and have a small amount of cash on me.

If you need to pay by credit card for your hotel prior to arrival, their payment system can take a few days to process the payment - I was asked to pay again in cash when I arrived at one hotel as the FIVE working days had not passed since the hotel charged my card.

If you take your mobile phone with you, make sure the data connections are switched OFF so you do not incur roaming data charges at £12 per Mb - my company phone bill ended up being £600 for three days in HK - you can also get a local pay as you go type sim at HK airport.

Make sure your Visa's are in place before you leave, HK do let in people native to the UK (as in UK Passport holders) without a visa as long as it is for holiday and not for work. For work, an extra visa is required (I believe!).

Above all - enjoy your trip!

Cheers,
Ste
Click to expand...

I will be arriving and booking into the hotel there not before hand and will probably just be carrying cash not cards when there.I think her parents will be paying for this. I will just be booking flights before hand.
Will make sure my phone is adjusted and it will probably only be used for emergencies due to the costs, or might look for a sim there.

I had seen stuff about the cards they have a similar system in shanghai for the underground, where u can get a pre payed card or pay per trip, think its mainly a speed thing though,not any cheaper having pre payed.

All visas will be done this week, and think i will need a double entry for china if I do visit HK, the visa's are becoming a pain now, the past few years they have needed more info about your trip, before they supply them.



awhyu said:
Public transport in HK is cheap and efficient and must I say clean.

From the airport there is the MTR to Kowloon and Hong Kong island itself

If you do visit Hong Kong on a regular basis, perhaps it is worth getting an Octopus card (works in a similar way to London Oyster) but this card is useful as you can use to pay for things at certain shops too

No Need for visas if you are are on holiday, you will be given 180 days in HK.

Things to photograph:


What everyone has done before but you must do anyways

a) From the Peak towards Kowloon
b) From Kowloon Side towards Hong Kong island (Avenue of the Stars, and watch the infamous Symphony of Lights show) around 8.00pm every night depending on weather)


c) You can then check out some of Hong Kong's islands e.g Lantau Island, home of the Po Lin monastery and the 85ft Bronze Buddha.

Worth having a look at Tai O( somewhat touristy but its a must I think)

Other locations, Sai Kung Country park is worth checking out I feel for some natural beauty, and for quieter islands perhaps Tap Mun which you can get to by going to Sai Kung.


For architectural shots of the sky scrapers, head over to Hong Kong island, and get off from Wan Chai or Central and have a look around.

For some nice gardens and temple architecture, have a look at the Chi Lin Nunnery as well as Man Mo temple, which features spiral based incense sticks etc.


I do not worry too much about personal security in HK to be honest esp if you stick to the main streets etc and certainly I dont have an issue with displaying my camera gear.

If you need need anymore tips, dont hestitate to give me a shout, I am off there in May for my birthday.
Click to expand...


I wasn't sure about getting to the city form the airport I keep seeing things about the MTR and also buses.
Will have a look at all the places you advise and see where suits me best, cheers.

Wheres the best place to stay(i know it might differ from person to person) i would like somewhere thats close to a MTR and walking distance to busy streets/places of interest..is it better on Hk island or kowloon side.

Thanks for all the info, Im excited but kind of nervous at the same time this being my first time traveling alone..my first proper trip abroad was only 5 years ago after I met my wife and went to china and shanghai is as far as I've been, and never really go out without her as speaking chinese seems a lot more important there.
 
Those prices from Shanghai to HK seems a little steep, have a look at DragonAir, you can usually do that trip for less than 200GBP.

Get an Octopus card, the travel information desk at arrivals will give you one, it's only 50HKD deposit plus whatever you charge it with. You can use it on all trains, buses, minibuses, convenience stores (7-11 etc), supermarkets.

Kowloon or Hong Kong better? Well I've been in Kowloon for 2 1/2 years, and am in the process of moving to the island, they are both different and interesting in their own ways. Kowloon has a lot more of a local flavour, while in certain places on the island you can be forgiven for thinking you've stumbled into a Western city.

Don't worry about the language, most of the people you meet will speak very good english. You might get the odd taxi driver who is challenging, but just make sure you have a business card from the hotel, or a guide book you can point at and you'll be fine.

The MTR is a super cheap, clean, reliable and efficient way to get about town. If you want to see more, hop on a bus. USe Google Maps to plan a route, the public transport option lists all the bus stops, bus numbers etc.

Don't worry about getting lost, it's impossible to end up in 'the wrong part of town', as there really isn't one. It's a very safe city. I have heard of some pick-pocket trouble around Mong Kok, but never experienced any crime here.

Here's an 'alternative' and more interesting list of attractions to go to than the usual tourist traps.

Braemar Hill - Best viewpoint to take in the city, much nicer than the horrible, ripoff tourist trap that is The Peak. You can sit and watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour in between the ICC and IFC towers. Takes a little local knowledge to get to, but I would be happy to show you if I'm free!

pano-2.jpg


Lion Rock is also worth doing, although it does involve a decent slog up a mountain side, depends how active you want to be.

Wet Markets - Definitely visit one of these, they are scattered around the city, full of interesting sights and sounds. The top floor usually has a cooked food area where you can get stuck into some real authentic local food for peanuts.

Tai O - OK it is fairly touristy, but it's a lovely place to be around sunset, and the boat trips to go see the pink dolphins are worth doing.

Mong Kok - Walk from the Ladies Market up to Flower Market Street, via the fish market. Some great shots of red-top minibuses and busy streets..

Get a nice meal with a view. I would recommend Nanhai Number 1, rather than some of the more trendy spots. Great Michelin star chinese food and one of the best views of the harbour. http://www.elite-concepts.com/page.aspx?corpname=elite&i=443

A scoot up the mid-levels escalator is worth doing, interesting way to see Soho, even though the place is full of Westerners, lots of different restaurants. If you fancy a taste of home, The Globe on Graham Street is as close to a British pub as you'll find, and next door is a tiny little Sichuan restaurant called Chili Fagara, which is a must visit if you like your food spicy.

The back streets of Wan Chai around Star Street are full of interesting art galleries, graffiti and curio shops.

Tai Hang (my new neighbourhood) is a lovely little area of low-rise blocks, with trendy little cafes alongside car workshops and ramen joints.

Kowloon City is interesting if you want to get off the beaten track a bit! A lot of good Thai food in the area, very local, one of the few places you might have language trouble.

If you want to get a bit of a hike in, head to Sai Kung. Hop in a taxi to Sai Wan pavillion, then you have a 40 minute walk in the countryside until you get to the best beaches in Hong Kong. There are some simple food places on the beach and you can catch a speedboat ride straight back to Sai Kung. On the subject of beaches, I would avoid going in the water anywhere but Sai Kung. It's pretty filthy anywhere near the Pearl River estuary.

Definitely get to the Races. Wednesday night in Happy Valley, Sunday in Sha Tin. Both a good day out, Happy Valley a bit more tourist friendly, whereas Sha Tin is more about serious gamblers.

If you head up to Sha Tin/Tai Wai/Fo Tan way, go for a stroll along the waterfront. Lovely bit of town.

Shek O, Stanley, Repulse Bay, Mui Wo, Clearwater Bay, South Bay all good beach spots. Stanley has a market and a few seafront restaurants/bars.

If I were to pick a spot to stay, it would be in Tsim Sha Tsui. You're in the center of everything, have the harbourfront view on your doorstep, and are only a few MTR stops or a ferry ride away from getting pretty much anywhere.

Getting from Airport to Kowloon/HK Island, I would go either Airport Express (90 HKD), or Taxi (200+ depending on where you go to).
 
Oh, just seen off my sister who was visiting...did the usual farewell drink on the 118th floor of the ICC, definitely worth nipping up for a quick drink if you get the chance.
 
Thanks that some really great info great info.

The flights alone are around £200, that was including a hotel for 4 nights. I had a look around the area you suggested and it seems to only be hostels or very expensive hotels. In fact every wheres expensive haha.

I dont mind a Hike as it will only be me, so will look into theses parts also. It would be great to meet up with some one that knows the area better.

As it stands if all goes to plan I will be there from monday 22nd to friday the 26th april, I thought week days may be slightly better as I know in shanghai it gets mad on a sat/sun.

The one place I'm wanting to go is Kwong Wa street area, to have a nosey in the airsoft shops, even though I will be unable to buy anything.
 
mid_gen said:
Oh, just seen off my sister who was visiting...did the usual farewell drink on the 118th floor of the ICC, definitely worth nipping up for a quick drink if you get the chance.
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I agree with this. I've made the mistake of going to the viewing gallery on a different floor for basically the same price but minus a drink!


pmac said:
The flights alone are around £200, that was including a hotel for 4 nights. I had a look around the area you suggested and it seems to only be hostels or very expensive hotels. In fact every wheres expensive haha.
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Hong Kong is a tiny place so I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to be as near to the action as you can. Everything is near the MTR and taxis are cheap and safe, so you can broaden you search with no worries. Not used it first hand, but deals can be found here I believe.

And a hike would be a good idea if you are spending 3 weeks in Shanghai and HK, your lungs will thank you for it!
 
I've not read other replies but we went a couple of years ago and loved the trip to 'Ngong Ping 360'. Largest sitting Buddah in the world I think.

Trip out on the train, ski lift to the top and then further steps, great panoramic views on a good day.
 
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