MageP’s Lab

A conscientious Malaysian who is concerned about the social-political development of his country from his backyard

Lonely Planet – Hong Kong & Macau

Thanks to the freebies by AirAsia, I bought this comprehensive and independent travel guide titled Hong Kong & Macau (Author: Steve Fallon, published by Lonely Planet).

I’m not going to reveal deep into the book, only to say that this book is fantastic!

A must buy, if you’re to embark on a backpack tour. ;-)

lilian

December 8th, 2005 at 11:05 pm

Hey those books are fantastic. I had travelled to Europe and HK/China with them. No need travel agent. I hate group tour, anyway. I used to buy Fodors and another title, I can’t remember the name. They even warn me where to look out for pickpockets and their modus operandi. Actually a life-saver. Have a good hol!
SK

December 8th, 2005 at 11:54 pm

Lilian,

Totally agree. For whatever info that I want, it’s all in there. Tips and tips and still, tipsss.

Needless of any ground arrangement.
JL

December 9th, 2005 at 9:52 am

Again, I would like to thank Air Asia for the free ticket for me to goto Macau just like MageP. I think I should get myself the lonely planet travel guide as well.

Talking about backpacking, I have news that HK’s YMCA is a good place to stay in. Dorm style, according to live testimonial it is clean and cost about RM25/night ( a room of 4 – can opt for 10% less for family and frenz package)…However, if you are just a couple, then they might split your room. :(
lilian

December 9th, 2005 at 11:57 am

Right the HK YMCA is just like our Malaysian hotels. They have the regular rooms and the dorm. I stayed there before. Facilities include a heated, indoor pool, laundrette, restaurants etc. And it is located right smack in the busy Tsim Sa Tsui, all within walking distance fom the ferry, the MTR, shopping and food.
Steve

December 9th, 2005 at 12:14 pm

Err…the website said "Rental : HK$210 (US$27.00) + 10% service charge per bed per night" …price hike??
SK

December 9th, 2005 at 12:16 pm

Lilian,

Correct me if I’m wrong. The HK YMCA that you mention at the very end of Tsim Sa Tsui, which is at Salisbury Road, right?

The price is quite expensive, isn’t it? ;-)
lilian

December 9th, 2005 at 12:50 pm

Yeah, Salisbury Road. In fact very near Peninsula or the other very high class hotel. Well, it’s HK- everything is expensive. :) The name is YMCA but it is nothing like our local YMCA, don’t worry about that. It is more of a hotel.

I had been to HK a few times, later part I stayed in hotel apartment on the island. So, it is like 7 years since I stayed at The YMCA.

Enjoy your trip, SK. I had travelled semi-backpack (‘cos have kids) and learnt all the tricks of finding cheap transport, getting on free shuttle buses etc. That is something you should research well because local transport can be expensive if you do not know all the lubang. The guidebook has excellent tips.
SK

December 9th, 2005 at 2:07 pm

Wow, I never realise that there is free shuttle bus as well.

Anyway, I’ve decided to take my walking tour (according to Lonely Planet) from Mongkok to Tsim Sa Tsui (1st day), Hong Kong Island (2nd day), Cheong Chau & Lantau Island – Disneyland (3rd day), Macau (4th day).

Still wondering whether should I visit Tai Po Market in New Territory or not?

Any idea?
JL

December 10th, 2005 at 1:11 pm

Apparently, the previous info that I provided on YMCA is not exactly accurate. To confirm, I called up YMCA HK and HK$210 is actually just like what Yusiang mentioned, per bed per night.

Sorry folks
Kok Yoon Lee

December 12th, 2005 at 8:25 pm

You shouldn’t need a whole day to walk down Nathan Road. A few hours ought to be sufficient. If you are interested in Museums, I highly recommend the Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sa Tsui. The last time I went there in 2001, I nearly spent the whole day there. Entrance was HK$10. Another museum I enjoyed was the Museum of Naval Defence (entrance HK$10, free on Tuesdays). The view there was IMHO fantastic. It’s at the entrance to Victoria Harbour on HK at the entrance to the Lee Yee Mun (not sure if I got the spelling right) Channel.

If you are into Dim Sum, there are many relatively inexpensive (by HK standards, nout ours) restaurants along Nathan Road that are fairly decent. Another place in Kowloon I recommend going to is Whampoa’s (adjacent to Hong Hum) Goument Centre. There is a rest on Lvl 2 (can’t remember name but is next door to ; same owner as Yang Family Rest) that serves great "Tam Tam" Shanhainese noodles; their chicken soup with wantan in a pot is also great. Love their Siew Long Pau as well. On the top floor, there is a branch of a Taiwanese rest, Dian something something that also serves great Siew Long Pau. You can see their people preparing it thru a glass window.

For local colour and shopping, I prefer the Wanchai market. You can take a MTR to the Wanchai station. The market is the area around Spring Garden Lane. This is the largest market in the area and sells food, clothes etc. The prices are generally cheaper than what I can see in Mongkok. I reckon the prices in Mongkok had been marked up for the benefit of the tourists. If you are into IT stuff, there is the Wanchai Computer Centre next to one of the MTR exits and then there is "298" ie 298 Hennesy Road nearby. There’s plenty of local colour to enjoy if you continue to stroll east to Causeway Bay. Head towards Times Square. The best "Siew Loong Pau" (Little cage/dragon bun) can be eaten at the Crystal Jade Restaurant in Times Square. Another favourite of mine is "Hor Hung Kee" located at 2 Sharp Street East next to Times Square. Love their porridge and Yau Char Kuei. Another great porridge place is Yong Kee in Central. Their Thousand Year Old Egg Porridge is great, and they are also well known for their Roasted Goose Drumstick.

There is really nothing much to Cheong Chau and I recommend you give that a miss. Lantau Island is big. My daughter just went to Disney and it is still very small. If you have been to other Disneylands before, you might want to give that a miss. The Poh Lum monastery in Lantau may be interesting. Depends on your interest. If you opt to go into the Buddha, the entrance charge includes a meal at the monasery.

Anyway, if you are interested just drop me a note on the month you are planing to go on this trip and I will be happy to share with you whatever I know of HK from a KL person’s perspective.
SK

December 12th, 2005 at 10:41 pm

Appreciate your interesting insight, I’ve dropped you an email. ;-)