Backpacking: Best Travel Experiences in Hong Kong

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!

Hong Kong S.A.R China

The name "Hong Kong" referred to a small inlet—now Aberdeen Harbour literally means "Little Hong Kong" between Aberdeen Island and the south side of Hong Kong Island, which was one of the first points of contact between British sailors and local fishermen. This country has the busiest port, famed for its global financial center, densely populated and tower-studded skyline. 

Official languages: English, Chinese

Travel Tip:

1. Check the Weather

2. Prepare to handle money overseas

If you're traveling international, be sure to check and withdraw your own bank before leaving for your trip; that way you won't arrive short on cash (local currency) and have to immediately search for an ATM. Go to your bank's website and map out any available ATM locations near your destination so you are not forced to use other banks' machines. Furthermore, you will save on ATM fees/ withdrawals at machines located outside the country. There’s no guarantee that there will be one (or that it will be working properly).

3. Check and understand the exchange rate before you travel.

4. Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.

5. Have Photocopies of Your Itinerary and Travel Documents

Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.

·       Passport ID page

·       Foreign visa (if applicable)

·       Itinerary

·       Hotel confirmation

·       Airline ticket

·       Driver's license

·       Credit cards brought on the trip

Hong Kong’s activities and attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Hong Kong!

1. Disneyland

Address: Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Opened: September 12, 2005

Area: 68 acres (28 ha)

Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Park Tickets: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/tickets/  You can buy online or at Hong Kong Disneyland Main Entrance.

Disneyland Park Tickets
	1 Day Ticket: Standard Day	1 Day Ticket: Designated Day	2 Day Ticket:
General Admission (Ages 12-64)	HK$ 499	HK$ 499	HK$ 680
Child (ages 3 - 11)	HK$ 355	HK$ 355	HK$ 480
Senior (aged 65 or above)	HK$ 100	HK$ 100	HK$ 170

Hong Kong Disneyland is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. It is the first theme park located inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and is owned and managed by the Hong Kong International Theme Parks. The park consists of seven themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventure land, Tomorrow land, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land. The theme park's cast members speak in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. Guide maps are printed in traditional and simplified Chinese as well as English and Japanese. 

The park has a daily capacity of 34,000 visitors — the fewest of all Disneyland parks. The park attracted 5.2 million visitors in its first year, below its target of 5.6 million. Hong Kong Disneyland is the 13th most visited theme park in the world in 2013, with 7.4 million visitors.  

Hong Kong Disneyland currently occupies 49.9 hectares (123 acres) 7.92 million to 8.92 million visitors annually. The park capacity will increase to handle up to 10 million visitors annually over a 15-year expansion period. 

How to get there:

MTR Stations

Trains run from Sunny Bay Station to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and back daily, from early in the morning until late at night. Trains will arrive frequently, typically running every few minutes or so.

For up-to-date MTR train schedule information, visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tourist/index.php

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is only a 30-minute ride from the following MTR stations:

• Hong Kong International Airport MTR Station (Transfer at Tsing Yi Station and transfer to Sunny Bay Station)
• MTR Kowloon Station
• MTR Hong Kong Station

2. Victoria Peak

Opening Hours:

The Peak Tram: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM-12:00 MN

Frequency: Departs every 10 to 15 minutes

The Peak Tower: Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM-11:00 PM

Sky Terrace: Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM-11:00 PM

Where to purchase: 

All tickets are sold at Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or appointed travel agents.
Peak Tram Upper Terminus (The Peak Tower) sells Peak Tram tickets (Return & Single) only.

Peak Tram Sky Pass (The Peak Tram & Sky Terrace 428)
	Return	Single
Adult	HK$ 83	HK$ 71
Child (aged 3 - 11) Senior (aged 65 or above)	HK$ 40	HK$ 33

Remark: All ticket prices would be effective from January 1, 2015

Tickets for Sky Terrace 428 admission only is also available and can be purchased:

• Customer Services counter (Ground floor), The Peak Tower
• Shop 302-3, 3/F, The Peak Tower
• Appointed travel agents 

Admission
Adult	HK$ 48
Child (aged 3 - 11) Senior (aged 65 or above)	HK$ 24

Remark: All ticket prices would be effective from January 1, 2015

Victoria Peak is a mountain in the western half of Hong Kong Island. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. With an altitude of 552 m (1,811 ft), it is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island; ranked 31 in terms of altitude in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Tai Mo Shan is the highest point in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with an altitude of 957 m).

Inside The Peak Tower, there is a dazzling array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues set against the beautiful backdrop of the city. Moreover, The Peak Tower boasts the highest 360° viewing platform – The Sky Terrace which offers spectacular panoramic views of the vibrant city.

How to get there:

A. On Foot - From MTR Central Station

It’s a pleasant walk from Central to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus. Along the route, there are a few famous Hong Kong landmarks. From MTR Central station, make your way to the J2 exit and walk up to the ground level. Turn right, through Chater Garden, cross Queen's Road Central, and make your way up Garden Road. You will pass the Bank of China Tower and Citibank Plaza on your left and St John's Cathedral on your right.

B. By Bus to Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus

Board the Peak Tram shuttle bus No. 15C at the Central (Near Star Ferry Pier 8) Bus Terminus.

Daily : 10:00 AM to 11:40 PM (from Man Kwong Street outside Central (Pier 7) )
Daily : 10:15 AM to 11:55 PM (from Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus)
Frequency : 15 to 20 minutes
Fare : HK$4.20

Routing Remark:

·        Half fare for Children under the age of 12 & seniors aged 65 or over.

·        Open Top Sightseeing Bus is operated every 30 minutes approximately

·      Upon unavailability of Open Top Sightseeing Bus, double deck or single deck air-conditioned bus will be deployed to substitute.

3. Ngong Ping 360

Address: Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Opened: November 9, 2006

Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Weekends & Public Holidays: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

#Scheduled Servicing Days (2015)

Cable Car Service is closed for scheduled maintenance. The Themed Village remains open.
27 to 28 Jan
13 to 19 Mar
30 Apr to 12 May

(Remark: The above dates are scheduled according to the latest maintenance programme, and are subject to changes due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions.)

Ngong Ping Cable Car Experience
Roundtrip
	Standard Cabin	Crystal Cabin	1+1 Standard & Crystal Round Trip Cable Car:
General Admission (Ages 12-64)	HK$ 165	HK$ 255	HK$ 115
Child (ages 3 - 11)	HK$ 85	HK$ 175	HK$ 205
Senior (aged 65 or above)	HK$ 115	HK$ 150	HK$ 180
Single Trip
General Admission (Ages 12-64)	HK$ 115	HK$ 180
Child (ages 3 - 11)	HK$ 60	HK$ 125
Senior (aged 65 or above)	HK$ 80	HK$ 145

Ngong Ping Cable Car is a 5.7-kilometre (3.5 mi) long bi-cable gondola lift system (referred to by its operators as a "cable car") linking between Tung Chung (where it connects the MTR Tung Chung station) and Ngong Ping (where the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha are located).  

Ngong Ping Village is set on a 1.5 hectare site on Lantau Island, adjacent to Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal and you will see a flight of 268 steps leading to the world’s largest outdoor bronze statue – the Giant Buddha.

The cableway starts at the Tung Chung Terminal, runs across Tung Chung Bay to an angle station on Airport Island, where it turns through about 60 degrees before returning across Tung Chung Bay. It then runs up the Lantau North Country Park to another angle station near Nei Lak Shan, before finally descending to the Ngong Ping Terminal.

During the 25 minute journey, travellers can see panoramic views over the North Lantau Country Park, the South China Sea, Hong Kong International Airport, the Tung Chung valley, Ngong Ping Plateau and surrounding terrain and waterways. As visitors approach Ngong Ping, they can see The Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery.

Big Buddha

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM-06:00 PM

Tiantan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Buddha, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island Hong Kong. It is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a popular tourist attraction.

The Buddha is 34 metres tall, weighs 250 metric tons, and was the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha prior to 2007. It reputedly can even be seen from as far away as Macau on a clear day. Visitors have to climb 268 steps in order to reach the Buddha.

How to get there:

MTR Station

Exit at Tung Chung MTR Station. Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal is adjacent to MTR's Tung Chung Station. It is a two-minute walk from Exit B of the station. 

4. Avenue of Stars

Address: Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Opened: April 28, 2004

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: the whole day

To pay tribute to outstanding professionals of Hong Kong’s film industry, HK$40 million was sponsored for the construction of the Avenue of Stars. Avenue of Stars is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and is modeled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Avenue of Stars is a 400-metre long stretch of waterside promenade along the northern side of Victoria Harbour, in front of the New World Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui. A 2.5-metre bronze statue of Bruce Lee was erected along the Avenue of Stars in 2005.

The promenade commands a stunning panoramic view across Victoria Harbour. At night it is a popular viewing place for the Symphony of Lights display. It is a good place to go to see the glamorous stars of HK.

Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is the “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show” by Guinness World Records, has been further expanded to include more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour.

A stunning, unforgettable spectacle synchronized to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong. The show starts every night at 8:00 PM.

How to get there:

MTR Station

Take East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, exit J, near InterContinental Hotel and is about 3 minutes’ walk from the avenue. Follow the signs to the Avenue of Stars. Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, which is linked by pedestrian subway to East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station and has common exits, is also within walking distance.  

5. Ocean Park

Address: Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Entrance Fee: HK$320 (Adult); HK$160 (Children from 3-11 years old); free for kids under three years old
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM-06:30 PM

The park is located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, covering more than 915,000 square meters. The Waterfront and The Summit areas are connected by the Cable Car and Ocean Express funicular train.

Ocean Park is a major attraction in Hong Kong, any visit to Hong Kong should include the world famous Ocean Park. The park has won several awards, including The World’s Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park, first Asian winner of the biannual Applause Award, the most prestigious award in the amusement and theme park industry. And 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes.

How to get there:

City Bus Route 629

The Citybus Route 629 runs daily from Admiralty MTR Station or Central (Star Ferry). The bus fares are $10.6 for adults and $5.3 for children (aged 4-11).

City Bus Route 629 Schedule
From	Start Time	Last Bus	Interval(Approx)
Admiralty MTR Station, Exit B	9:00 AM	4:00 PM	every 10 min
Central (Star Ferry) Station	9:45 AM	3:45 PM	Every 20 min to 60 min

By Public Bus

Take a public bus to Ocean Park. And get off the bus after going through the Aberdeen Tunnel Toll Plaza or Hongkong Country Club. A short walk takes you to Ocean Park. Public buses include No. 72, 72A, 92, 96, 592, 6A, 6X, 29R, 70, 75, 90, 97, 260, 41A, 77, 99, 171, 671, 107, 973 and 170.

6. Ladies Market Shopping or Tung Choi Street in Mongkok

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: the whole day

With over 100 stalls of bargain clothing, accessories and souvenirs, the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street provides a one-kilometer stretch on which to practice your haggling skills. It gets its name from the huge amount of clothing and accessories on sale for women of all ages within its crowded aisles.

Anyone who visits Hong Kong would surely know the existence of this famous street. It is a must-visit destination for fashion lovers with an eye for bargain-priced clothing, bags, accessories, toys, cosmetics and household products.

How to get there:

MTR Station

Mongkok is very accessible, and the easiest would be by MTR. Take MTR East Rail Line and get off at Mong Kok East Station. Exit E2, and then walk along Nelson Street for two blocks.

7. Temple Street/ Night Market/ Men’s Market

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 2:00 PM until dawn

The Temple Street Night Market is sometimes known as Men's Street as it is very popular for men's fashion and a popular street bazaar. It is a street located in the areas of Jordan and Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon, Hong Kong. One of the busiest flea markets at night in the territory which sells cheap merchandise such as tea ware, electronics, watches, menswear, jade, antiques, etc. and food items such as clay pot rice, seafood, noodles, etc.

How to get there:

MTR Station

1. Take MTR Jordan Station, Exit A. Turn right into Jordan Road and walk three blocks to Temple Street.

2. Take MTR Yau Ma Tei Station, Exit C, walk along Man Ming Lane to Temple Street

8. Clock Tower

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: the whole day

The Clock Tower is a landmark in Hong Kong. It is located on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Officially named Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, it is usually referred to as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower for its location.

Built out of red bricks and granite, the Clock Tower peaks at 44 metres, and is topped by a 7-metre lightning rod. The top of the tower can be reached by a wooden staircase located within. The interior of Clock Tower had previously been open for visit, but is currently closed for maintenance. The clock tower is located near Victoria Harbour at the foot of Salisbury Road. Another landmark, the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, is located nearby.

How to get there:

MTR Station

To reach it, an easy way is to take the MTR and get off at Tsim Sha Tsui station. Take exit E. Once you are above ground, walk south along Nathan Road until Salisbury Road. Turn right (west) till you reach the Star Ferry Pier at the waterfront. Walk left. Once you have passed the pier area, the clock tower is in front of you.

1. Take MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit E. Walk towards Salisbury Road, then turn right and take the subway (pedestrian tunnel) located next to the YMCA to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Turn right till you reach the Star Ferry Pier at the waterfront. Walk left. Once you have passed the pier area, the clock tower is in front of you.

2. Take Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai and follow the signs. The Clock Tower is located next to the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier.

Happy Travels!

Don't just keep this to yourself. SHARE!