Posts from an Australian lost in the Middle Kingdom
Articles and guides written while travelling Hong Kong.
In this guide, I am going to introduce a legendary part of Cantonese cuisine and culture that is dim sum, yum cha, and zao cha. Including all the top dim sum dishes you need to be trying, plus their Chinese names and pics for easy ordering at any dim sum restaurant near you.
Tsim Sha Tsui is a popular location from which to base a Hong Kong trip, there are numerous attractions in the area such as the Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour, Museums, Mosque and endless shopping via the major malls, Ladies Market, Temple St Night Market and much more.
Central is the financial heart of Hong Kong, featuring not only the business district but also numerous attractions such as the Peak Tram, Hollywood Road, the Mid Level Escalators, world famous shopping and more.
The Top 15 luxury hotels in Hong Kong based on location, value, star rating and most importantly, visitor reviews.
Area: Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Featuring an award-winning restaurant overlooking Victoria Harbour. It’s a Marriott Luxury & Lifestyle Hotel in Hong Kong, on the scenic Wanchai Waterfront.
Joining the islands of Taipa and Coloane is Cotai. This little piece of reclaimed land is home to some of Macau’s newest and most opulent hotel-casino developments. This whole area is a landmark development primarily by the US Las Vegas Sands Corp. who originally planned for seven resort hotels and casinos.
After leaving the China Sourcing trade fair and I headed back to Mong Kok and picked up my passport with its new visa, then from there to Tsim Sha Tsui to get my bag from the Cosmic Guest House. Then in a taxi over to Hung Hom Station to catch the train to Lo Wu (note its called Lo Wu on the Hong Kong side and Luo hu or Luohu on the Shenzhen side) which is the entry point to China mainland leading into the city of Shenzhen.
It turned out that I happened to be in Hong Kong at a good time, just when the China Sourcing Fair was on. The China Sourcing Fair is a series of trade shows which each run for several days at the Asia-World Expo site near Hong Kongs Airport. If you are staying in HK, do check out the hand-picked list of top value hotels which are near to Asia-World Expo.
On Tuesdays they’re both free, so why not take a look at the Space Museum and the Museum of Art. The museums are located next to each other on the harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui next to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
The Hong Kong Museum is a fascinating walk through the history of Hong Kong, the exhibition covers right from the formation of the Island itself, it’s natural heritage, the British colonisation and through to the modern day.
Mirador Mansions on Nathan Rd of Tsim Sha Tsui is an extremely well-known building that has been frequented by travelers to Hong Kong for many many years. The building takes up the whole block width ways and is about 15 stories high, and was built back in the 70’s is my guess. For many years it has been home to several different independently run hostels, including the well known Cosmic Guest House.
An icon of Hong Kong that just should be missed, this amazing tram has been operating since 1888, and has apparently has never had a day out of service! I’m glad I got to the tram when it opened, and enjoyed a relaxed ride up the peak. Later on through the day the place becomes over run with tour groups and the tram gets packed!
Stra Ferry is a company that operates a ferry service that joins the Kowloon Peninsula to Hong Kong Island.
You could almost call the Star Ferry service one of Hong Kongs historic institutions, its been there since 1898 humbly carrying people from one side of the harbour to the other.
Located on the harbour shore at Tsim Sha Tsui the Avenue of Stars is pedestrian path which along the way showcases the Hong Kong film industry via statues and story boards. There’s not that much to see, but it’s a great place for a stroll while enjoying the excellent views of Hong Kongs Victoria Harbour.
Many Chinese mainlanders visit Hong Kong for one simple reason, shopping. This mainly due to many items in Hong Kong being tax-free. Hong Kong has a mix of modern retail departments stores, big luxury brand stores, shopping streets through to street markets.
The harbour is a key feature of Hong Kong and really makes Hong Kong the special place that it is. The harbour has long been a trade port but also offers a visual feast for the visitor! The views really are something.
Victoria Harbour at Hong Kong for me was Hong Kongs main draw card, it’s one unique view that shouldn’t be missed. And it gets even better at 8pm every night when what they call the ‘Symphony of Lights’ begins.
My 30 day visa for mainland China had expired and even though I had only been in Hong Kong for a day I knew that I wanted to go back and explore more of China. So, it’s off to do a visa application for China while in Hong Kong.
Formerly known as the Dorsett Olympic Hotel, the place has 141 rooms and is located on Anchor St at the northern end of Kowloon in the area known as Tai Kok Tsui. It’s well back from the main attraction of the Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour but close to Mong Kok which will please shoppers.
Hong Kong really is a must visit place on a China tour, as it is so much a part of the whole china story. Its also a very vibrant, modern and busy city. Its a popular place for shopping with most things being tax free.
Update 2018: there is now a High-Speed Rail service between Shenzhen and Hong Kong which runs between Shenzhen North Station, Futian Station, and to Hong Kong at the new West Kowloon Station. Regardless, the below method is still an option especially if you are travelling to destinations on the East Rail Line such as Sheung Shui or Tai Po areas.