Hong Kong: a first timer’s perspective
In the random middle of the year, we decided to take a short getaway to Hong Kong!!
Schedule of the trip:
Day 1:
Flight in and check in
Pick up Octopus card, any other Klook related things
Dinner around the area
Day 2:
Visit friends
Tram - history journey around the city with TramOnamic
The Peak and Sky Terrace
Day 3:
Late dim sum branch
Disneyland till dinner time
Day 4
Pack up and fly home
Getting Around Hong Kong
Getting from the airport to your accomodation
use the Octopus Card you picked up (read below for how to get your Octopus Card)- depending on where you stay, you can change trains at WEST KOWLOON STATION - the Airport Express connects to that station where you can change to board the MTR and then head to your destination. Of course, you can try going by taxi too.
Octopus Card
The Octopus card is used widely through Hong Kong, in stores, MTR (train stations) and buses as well as trams, airport transfer, etc. You can top up your Octopus card anywhere in any MTR station
Buy an Octopus card - you can get yours on Klook. Buy your Octopus card here https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/1355-tourist-octopus-card-hong-kong/?spm=BookingDetail.BookAgain&clickId=cdf99129fd
You can use it to go from the Airport to the city - therefore you can collect this AT THE AIRPORT or AT WEST KOWLOON STATION - the former might be very crowded so you can try the latter option. However that’s what we thought and apparently others did too, so we ended up queueing for quite a while too.
Trams
Trams are something you can also take in Hong Kong. If you go to any of the tram stops you can get on the tram FROM THE BACK DOOR, and you get off AT THE FRONT DOOR, and that’s where the tapping machine is.
You can tap your Octopus or Visa card ($1 off)
Taxis
you can hail them off the streets. Look for the red cars.
Things we did
TramOnamic
This is a history tour through Hong Kong. You can buy tickets at the counter directly.
Buy your tickets here: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/1280-tramoramic-tour-hong-kong/?spm=SearchResult.SearchResult_LIST&clickId=1b410d8a9a
There are two terminus: Western Market Terminus: 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay Terminus: 88 Yee Wo St, Causeway Bay (outside Regal Hongkong Hotel) - information from https://www.hktramways.com/en/tramoramic
Riding on this gives you a Golden Ticket and you can use it to get free rides for 3 days! Tours are in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Waterbottles are provided too. As well as a tote bag
The Peak
Nice views of Hong Kong from a high vantage point, part of the fun is going up to the peak, not the queues, but the tram that goes very steeply up (and down).
Buy your tickets here: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/765-peak-tram-sky-terrace-hongkong/?spm=BookingDetail.BookAgain&clickId=9b495324ab
Nearest MTR station: Admiralty MTR then walk - follow the crowd, you will see the queue, it’s unmissable
TIP: Try to find where the queue is for the Madame Tussauds line is because you will accidentally queue in the wrong line and it is easy to get lost in the mess/mass of people.
Once you’re in the queue properly, the trip up to the Peak is very quick.
The Sky Terrace is an add-on ticket, however it wasn’t that much of a difference to us.
Disneyland
Disneyland in summer is a whole experience in itself. It was hot. BEYOND HOT. But we survived.
Here’s everything we tried – spoilers ahead if you don’t want to read, scroll down!!!
Tomorrowland (Marvel Zone)
YES: The Iron Man Experience (VR), Antman and Hope (Shooting targets)
NO: Ironman Tech Show (phototaking op with Iron man)
Adventureland
YES: Jungle River Cruise, fun and amusing. Hot tip: sit on the side of the boat that is further away from when you get into the boat.
We did not have enough time to get through the rides here, but if we come back I will definitely spend more time here.
World of Frozen
YES: Wandering Oaken Sleighs - 45 minutes of queue, it got worse as the day went on. All for a five minute roller coaster ride, you decide if this is worth it.
Did not try: Frozen Ever After - you might get wet in this ride.
Other rides we loved:
YES: Mad Hatters Cups. 20 minutes queue only and hilarious fun, be careful you might get dizzy
Cinderella Carousel ride - this would be fun for kids!
Dumbo flying ride - long wait, quite fun because you can increase how high you’re ‘flying’ by pushing on a lever
Main big nice Disney castle stage
Do watch the Follow your Dreams show. A lot of cute dancing and singing. It plays throughout the day.
What we didn’t get to do:
Mystic Manor
Big Grizzly roller coaster - our friend mentioned this was incredibly fun!
Other things to note:
HK Disneyland railway - naaah to this one. We queued in the heat and honestly the train ride was uneventful, plus it was burning hot in the train car too.
At 6.30pm there will be a procession of many Disney characters and because it was summer they sprayed water into the crowds which I guess didn’t really help with the heat but it was a cute gesture. Characters shown include those from Inside Out, Finding Nemo and Toy Story to name a few. It’s right in the Center of the park, there will be huge crowds and you won’t miss it.
There is a board with show times at the entrance of the park, use it to plan your day before starting, you’ll be less tired walking around
Lastly, download and use the HK Disneyland app and decide what you want and don't want to do. You can also check the waiting times for all the rides which are updated in real time.
You can bring food into Disneyland, we brought bread and bottled drinks and weren’t stopped by the security. Do it at your own risk.
Some things we ate in Hong Kong
01 鮮入圍煮 (黃埔店) - hotpot restaurant
Google maps link here
Closest MTR is Whampoa
good meats and dishes.
Tip: try the chicken broth soup, it’s amazing. It’s this yellow looking soup, that’s all good chicken essence.
02 百好名宴 Very Good Joyful Banquet
Google maps link here:
Closest MTR is Tsuen Wan
Tip: sometimes the waiters appear to be a bit unfriendly or don’t hear you, don’t worry just call them once more. Don’t be intimidated.
03 Australian Dairy Company
Closest MTR is Jordan, then a 500m walk.
order the steamed egg almond pudding cold. Soooooo good.
Other food places include:
Any of the Cha Chan Ting (quick eateries) will do. We tried a few along the street and had some good beef noodles, can’t find them on google maps unfortunately
Tsim Sha Tsui is full of good food, walk around and eat as you go.
Try roast goose, too bad we didn’t have the chance to eat that.
Accomodation Review
We stayed at Hillwood House, recommended by a friend. The location is near to Jordan MTR, it is good, simple and clean. It is also near to food locations that are mostly 300-500m away from the apartment. You would scan QR codes to get into the room and also to access the lifts. We would definitely come back!
Overall
We spent about $2000 for two people including flights, accoms, tickets and meals.
An estimated breakdown (for two):
Flights: $600
Accomodation: $450
Tickets:
The Peak $52
Disneyland $360
Octopus Cards: $33
Return ticket for the Airport Express $45
Other expenses include: food and gifts
