China Travel Forum

[Flora]

My next trip is going to Hong Kong in January. I've never been there, and won't have a lot of time as I'm fitting the trip in around when I could fly for free and when I wasn't in school or preparing for a dance competition. Still, I'll have six days in Hong Kong, so that should be enough time to do a variety of things.
The question is...what?? I'd love tips. Sure, I have some great travel books and a good friend who grew up there so I know about the obvious things, but of course I want to know about people's less obvious personal favorites.
Also, I'll be travelling completely by myself, although it's possible that I might hook up with my friend while I'm there.

[Harold]

I've been to HK 14 times & each time has been a PARTY! DO STAY in Kowloon, as in the Tsim Sha Tsui area(pronounced "chim sa choi")- much more charming than being surrounded by those skyscrapers across the bay in Wanchai. Nathan Road for any kind of shopping imagineable. Cross the bay and take the double decker bus to Stanley Market for funky "outlet-style" market shopping. (This can take an entire day!) Temple Street Jade Market is only a 20-minute walk away from downtown Kowloon. Tons of stuff for sale- gold, pearls, jade, replicas, soapstone carvings antiques & non-antiques. If you're buying gems or antiques, be sure to know your stuff! Be sure to bargain. Bargains on Granville Road for wholesale clothes/shoes and check out the SaSa cosmetics store while you're there. For a fabulous dinner go to Gaddi's at the Peninsula Hotel(make reservations 2 weeks in advance) or check out "La Plume". For pre-dinner cocktails go to the Regent Hotel. Allows you a fabulous view of the lit-up Hong Kong island side while you're sipping. (They also have the best martinis I've had in Asia!) Dying for antiques, go hang out on "Hollywood Road". I always stay at teh Canton Hotel(Cameron Rd.), but I've stayed at the Kowloon, The Park, Ramada which are nice, too. (I like that location!)