Hong Kong Hotels

Recommended Hong Kong Hotels

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a place where East meets West, as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major international tourism destination and more recently a destination for China’s increasingly affluent population. It is one of the world’s financial centers and famous for world-class shopping, modern architecture and delicious cuisine.

Hong Kong is well known as a shopper’s paradise, whether it’s designer label products, electronic goods or a range of locally-made souvenirs, the choice is endless. With one of the world’s best airports, Hong Kong is an ideal stopover and the perfect gateway to travel into China or a visit to the Portuguese colony of Macau.

Hong Kong is a now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and maintains a separate and independent immigration system from that of mainland China. This means that unlike mainland China, most Western and Asian visitors do not need to obtain visas in advance. However, it also means that a separate visa is still required to enter mainland China from Hong Kong. China's socialist economic system will not be implemented in Hong Kong for at least fifty years (if ever) after the transfer of sovereignty and Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.

Shopping

Hong Kong has no sales tax which makes goods less expensive than Europe, North America, or Japan. Popular shopping items include goods from mainland China, consumer electronics, custom clothing, shoes, jewellery, expensive brand name goods, antiques and toys. The modern, up-market malls are generally located on Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsiu. Kowloon is known for cheaper goods and open markets.

Harbour City is a large Shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on Canton Road [MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui, or take the Star Ferry].

Pacific Place is a large shopping centre. [MTR to Admiralty station]

Landmark has many luxury brands shops here -Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, etc. [MTR Central]

IFC Mall has many luxury brand shops, a cinema and superb views across the harbour from the rooftop. [located near the Star Ferry Pier]

Times Square is a multi storey Shopping Mall with food courts on the lower levels and Gourmet Dining at the upper levels. [MTR to Causeway Bay, and exit at "Times Square"]

Festival Walk is a large centre with expensive brands, smaller chain stores and an ice skating rink. [MTR or KCR East Rail to Kowloon Tong]

Cityplaza is a large shopping centre, with an ice-skating rink. [Take the MTR to Taikoo on the Island Line].

APM-Millennium City is a 24hr Shopping centre in Kwun Tong. [MTR to the Kwun Tong station].

Citygate Outlet is located next to Tung Chung MTR Station, the Citygate is an outlet mall of mid-priced brands.

Golden Computer Arcade is located in Sham Shui Po and specializes in selling computer and gaming products. [MTR to the Sham Shui Po station]

Star City (computers) in Tsim Sha Tsui near the Star Ferry.

Windsor House Computer City in Causeway Bay.

Wan Chai Computer mall outside Wan Chai MTR Station.

Mong Kok Computer Centre on Nelson Street near Mong Kok MTR Station.

Nathan Road, Kowloon has many shops that sell electrical equipment and cameras mainly to tourists.

Streetmarkets

There are many street markets in Hong Kong selling groceries, clothes, bags and electronics. Make sure you bargain here and be careful of pickpockets.

Ladies Market The stalls in this market mainly sell ladies’ goods but there are men’s goods and many fake brand label items. Located on Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok. [MTR Mong Kok Station Exit E2, open from noon until 11:30pm].

Jade Market & Jade Street Located on Kansu and Battery streets, Kowloon, the Jade Market is a collection of around 400 stalls selling a wide range of jade products [Open 10am to 5pm, MTR Yau Ma Tei Station Exit C, walk along Nathan Road to Kansu Street]. Nearby is Jade Street, located on Canton Road between Kansu Street and Jordan Road.

Temple Street Night Market Located in the middle of Kowloon, this place sells everything including clothing, pens, watches, CDs, cassettes, electronic gadgets, hardware and luggage. It is open from 4pm to midnight. [MTR Jordan Station Exit A, walk to Temple Street or MTR Yau Ma Tei Station Exit C, walk along Man Ming Lane to Temple Street].

Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street is a great place to pick up the latest fashions at wholesale prices. Most of the shops can be found between Yen Chow Street and Wong Chuk Street. The clothes are over-runs from garment factories. [MTR Sham Shui Po Station Exit C1].

Stanley Market - This market sells everything (usually overruns from factories). Arrive on the number 40 minibus from Causeway Bay or no.6 and 6A bus from Central.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Lan Kwai Fong (in Central) There are many bars and clubs in Lan Kwai Fong and Friday and Saturday nights become very crowded. This area is traditionally popular for both dining and drinking with westerners.

SoHo the area south of Hollywood Road offers a wide range of upmarket international restaurants and bars along Staunton Street, Elgin Street and Shelley Street. Ride on what Guinness World Records calls the world's longest covered escalator.

WanChai is popular for a nightlife experience with numerous girly bars along Lockhart Road. Causeway Bay is also popular for a nightlife experience.

The most popular beers are China’s Tsing Tao (pronounced 'ching dow') or San Miguel and Carlsberg.

Beer, wine and spirits are also widely available for purchase at supermarkets and 7-Eleven stores.

Wednesday night is race night at Happy Valley race course. Also Wednesday nights is ladies night, during which many bars in Wan Chai give free drinks to the ladies.

Dining

One of the highlights of Hong Kong is the cuisine. Hong Kong is famous for traditional and modern Cantonese cuisine, excellent seafood and a large range of international restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world. Great restaurants can be found all over Hong Kong with many restaurants in the entertainment districts of Lan Kwai Fong, Soho or Knutsford Terrace.

Some of the best seafood restaurants can be found on the outlying islands such as Lamma Island or Cheung Chau Island which can be reached by ferry from the Central ferry terminal (alongside the Star Ferry terminal). The islands are motor vehicle-free and have many restaurants within walking distance of the ferry terminal. The décor of the restaurants may be basic but the seafood is very fresh (usually still alive in a tank) and delicious.

The famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant on Aberdeen Harbour will impress any visitor.