Advice On Traveling In Hong Kong

by ucamoreno

posted on 10/02/2009

Traveling into Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most expensive countries in the world, but worth every penny that you drop in this gorgeous place. Granted, if you have the expendable cash to travel to Hong Kong you probably expect to have a little fun and based on the ticket price you will for sure need to know that the fun here runs a little steeper. Your first purchase is your airfare of course; otherwise there is no fun involved. Depending on the budget the you have allocated towards the plane ticket there is a number of different options. By options I mean airlines. It is extremely crucial that you prepare yourself to spend a little extra on the airfare because if you are flying on the cheapest ticket you found online the first place you will need to visit when you arrive in Hong Kong will be the chiropractor. Recommended airlines that provide you with a pleasant 13 hour flight include Chinese Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. Depending from where you are flying out of, there is a good chance that there is a daily flight to Hong Kong with all three of the airlines. Stay away from American Airlines, United and Continental. These planes are meant for shorter trips and you will despise them once you learn that you are 8 hours into the flight and have 5 left to go. So, spend the extra cash for your conform and satisfaction on the airfare, trust me, it will be worth every penny.

Upon arrival expect to drop about $50-$100 dollars, depending on your stay, to the location of your hotel. You will most likely find yourself staying on the Hong Kong Island, and it's a good 30-45 minutes in a taxi cab depending on traffic. Reserve your hotel ahead of time to get he best prices possible. A personal favorite of mine is Agoda because they have great insight and pictures of the hotel options. Make sure that you read customer reviews and ratings if you don't plan on staying at the Sheraton, Four Seasons and similar hotel chains that do business here. Pictures can be very deceiving so rely on what others have told you about the hotel to make your decision. A typical 2 bed, 3 star hotel will run anywhere from $150 and up. All hotels will require a credit card for deposit and have the basic amenities hotels require. This is a safe country so your credit card will not be alarmed with unexpected charges, relax.

After you have checked in and have gotten settled in its time to explore the city. The night life is incredible and filled with world wide people doing the same thing you are. The best location for the nightlife will be Lai Kwai Fong. It's filled with bars, dance floors and full of energy with load of people on the streets dancing, drinking and just doing what you do on vacation. Just make sure you keep the Heineken lights to a minimum because there is a lot more to see in this wonderful country. A must is Victoria Peak. Don't forget your camera because you will take over 50 pictures here alone with the stunning view of Victoria Harbor and the amazing Hong Kong architecture. From there you will want to take a ferry that will take you on a small tour of the Harbor, it's a must and very fun. Looking for a small get-away, Hong Kong offers this as well. Two main attractions here are Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. These are excellent for family if you did not manage to leave them at home and should keep you entertained for a couple days. Finally, don't forget to visit the great Big Buddha and when you do bring your Nikes because there will be a lot of stairs and walking. It is located, like Disneyland, a little outside Hong Kong but nonetheless worth the pictures and experience you will make. This is definitely not recommended for kids due to the lengthy walks and stairs you will find yourself, so make sure you plan this out accordingly and not get stuck carrying kids up 200 stairs.

Overall, I believe Hong Kong is an amazing city with lots of different cultures living in one. It's a lively city that tends to sleep very little, and when you visit you will find yourself doing the same.

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