Going to Hong Kong

[rpc64]

So my job is sending me to Hong Kong for 3 weeks. I am very excited to go but I don't have much time to plan my trip. I know we have some well-traveled ATers who have been there. A couple of specific concerns that I can think of at the moment are: How easy is it to get around? From my initial research it seems that they have a pretty extensive system of buses and trains. Are they easy to use, especially for someone who doesn't speak Cantonese? Also, what kind of voltage do they use in their electrical outlets? Will I be able to plug in my phone/camera/mp3 player etc.?

Any other random advice about Hong Kong would also be greatly appreciated, such as places I should go or things I should buy.

 

[Rinaun]

use search someone posted about this maybe a month ago and got alot fo reply's.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Mass transportation is user-friendly (foreigner-friendly).

You need a transformer for 220V.

Check this site:
http://www.inm-asiaguides.com/hongkong/ehkgexc.htm

Call your credit card/banks and notify them so they don't flag your account for fraud when you use any of your cards.

Watch out for people coughing (remember SARS and Avian flu).

 

[rpc64]

Thanks.

Rinaun: I did a search for "hong kong" and only found 2 small unrelated threads

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah transportation is fine there....Just if yoru going a little bit outside of the city..be ready for some heights! I was on a double decker bus...no rails..small road..BIG CLIFF. No big deal for them lol.

IT WAS REALLY HOT TO...but its not that time yet.

dont go in the water...

 

[kirkaptain]

I was in BeiJing for 6 weeks and I speak no Mandarin. Getting around was very easy. Remember that the Brits had control of HK for many years, so getting around there should be easier still.

If I were you I'd go to the Chan Chi Kee store. They make and sell high-grade chinese chef's knives. They are based in HK and their knives are highly valued by those "in the know," partly because they cannot be purchased online and they are almost impossible to find in the US. Don't suppose you could pick me up something...

 

[benliong]

Originally posted by: kirkaptain
I was in BeiJing for 6 weeks and I speak no Mandarin. Getting around was very easy. Remember that the Brits had control of HK for many years, so getting around there should be easier still.

If I were you I'd go to the Chan Chi Kee store. They make and sell high-grade chinese chef's knives. They are based in HK and their knives are highly valued by those "in the know," partly because they cannot be purchased online and they are almost impossible to find in the US. Don't suppose you could pick me up something...

If you think Beijing is easy to get around, you'll have absolutely no problem in Hong Kong. 99% of the street signs / subway directions have english on them. Most of us speaks good enough english in Hong Kong.

don't think you need to be concerned about Avian flu either. The government is really doing more than enough in that aspect.

I'm living in Hong Kong right now, so if you need any help just give me a private message.

--Ben.

 

[joinT]

i would just take taxis everywhere for the most part. Cabs in HK are the best. Very reasonable rates - there are cabs EVERYWHERE and they cannot refuse to drive you anywhere.

be sure to visit "The Peak" - awesome view. i would go at night so you can see the crazy lights that are on most office buildings.

if you want to buy electronics/computer equipment, clothing, a million other things - be sure to head over to Mong Kok on the Kowloon side.

to bargain with shopowners - use the phrase "Pang Di La" (Peng Di La? <- can someone who speaks Cantonese confirm which way to say it) which literally means "Make it cheaper"

go out to eat - that's the Culture in HK and the food there is soooo good.

i really liked the Hong Kong Natural History museum.

all i can think of @ this early point in the day..

 

[Michael]

rpc64,

Depends on what you want to do while you're there. Pretty fun nightlife, good places to eat and reasonably easy to get around. I would say that it's a safe place to be as well.

They use British style plugs and 220 volts. Many electronic goods will work as low as you have an adaptor to the plug style. Check what the power supply says to confirm it'll work.

I travel there 5 time a year or so. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Michael

 

[rpc64]

Thank you everyone for the great replies. My main goals while there are 1. To do some sightseeing and take some nice pictures. 2. To do some shopping. Just about everyone I know is bugging me to bring them back something. I'm sure I will be working most of the time, therefore my free time will be limited. However, I will be there over two weekends so I want to try to do as much as I can.

A question about the taxis: I have read that many taxi drivers do not speak english and I need to have my destination written down in chinese characters for them. Is this true? Is it only like this in certain areas?

 

[zanieladie]

Don't drink the water. Wait...that's Mexico.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Michael
rpc64,

Depends on what you want to do while you're there. Pretty fun nightlife, good places to eat and reasonably easy to get around. I would say that it's a safe place to be as well.

They use British style plugs and 220 volts. Many electronic goods will work as low as you have an adaptor to the plug style. Check what the power supply says to confirm it'll work.

I travel there 5 time a year or so. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Michael

What do you really need an adapter for? Razor? That's probably it.. everything we have today comes with a transfoermer.. laptop, camera chargers, etc...

 

[TheChort]

try PMing UncleWai, i think he's there right now

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Michael
rpc64,

Depends on what you want to do while you're there. Pretty fun nightlife, good places to eat and reasonably easy to get around. I would say that it's a safe place to be as well.

They use British style plugs and 220 volts. Many electronic goods will work as low as you have an adaptor to the plug style. Check what the power supply says to confirm it'll work.

I travel there 5 time a year or so. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Michael

What do you really need an adapter for? Razor? That's probably it.. everything we have today comes with a transfoermer.. laptop, camera chargers, etc...

I do have an electric razor. What about my phone? I should just be able to plug it in? Is the plug the same? I really am clueless about this issue.

 

[tommywishbone]

Go to the Lee Key Shipyards and find the inspector.

 

[McGyver]

try to get some mooshoo there.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: rpc64

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Michael
rpc64,

Depends on what you want to do while you're there. Pretty fun nightlife, good places to eat and reasonably easy to get around. I would say that it's a safe place to be as well.

They use British style plugs and 220 volts. Many electronic goods will work as low as you have an adaptor to the plug style. Check what the power supply says to confirm it'll work.

I travel there 5 time a year or so. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Michael

What do you really need an adapter for? Razor? That's probably it.. everything we have today comes with a transfoermer.. laptop, camera chargers, etc...

I do have an electric razor. What about my phone? I should just be able to plug it in? Is the plug the same? I really am clueless about this issue.

you need a transformer, not just an adapter. if you plug a 110V item into a HK electrical socket using only an adapter you will fry it. the adapter only provides the physical connection. if you have the wrong power going through it you'll be sorry. many hotels will provide them for you.

 

[Kaieye]

Go to Shenzhen over the border from Hong Kong. You can take a subway link to Lo Wu from Hong Kong (45 minutes? - I forgot). I just read somewhere that there are over 120,000 workers from the sex trade working the area if that is your cup of tea. Shenzhen is like Vegas - what goes on in Shenzhen stays there. Watch out for people selling drugs, pickpocketers and beggars. They have a Walmart Superstore but I did not get a chance to see it.

By the way, if you want to try dog meat, Shenzhen is the place to try it. They have a nice evening show at "The Windows of the World" which I saw a few years ago. I heard that you can take a subway metro train there from Lo Wu terminal station from HK.

 

[benliong]

Originally posted by: Kaieye
Go to Shenzhen over the border from Hong Kong. You can take a subway link to Lo Wu from Hong Kong (45 minutes? - I forgot). I just read somewhere that there are over 120,000 workers from the sex trade working the area if that is your cup of tea. Shenzhen is like Vegas - what goes on in Shenzhen stays there. Watch out for people selling drugs, pickpocketers and beggars. They have a Walmart Superstore but I did not get a chance to see it.

By the way, if you want to try dog meat, Shenzhen is the place to try it. They have a nice evening show at "The Windows of the World" which I saw a few years ago. I heard that you can take a subway metro train there from Lo Wu terminal station from HK.

There's subway all the way to the border of Hong Kong, and once you're on China side, there's subway to places like "windows of the world" that you speak of. You can not only try dog meat, but I believe rabbit, snake, pig brains, and other kinds of odd stuffs. I didn't try any of those though.

there's Walmart in Shenzhen, and you'll find stuffs that you won't find in walmarts in US. Pretty interesting. the favorite passtime for Hong Kong visitors seems to be massage center. Those are pretty cheap there, and my boss' a frequent visitor.

 

[UncleWai]

Originally posted by: TheChort
try PMing UncleWai, i think he's there right now

Yeah, reporting in. There are electronic stores all around Hong Kong, you can find adapters for dirt cheap, but make sure you get voltage converter for electronics that don't take 220v. My aunt broke my Sonicare charger couple days ago because of this.

Some taxi drivers should be able to know the places in English. Just make sure the drivers speak some before hand, if not, don't take the taxi.
THe subway stations all have english in them, you wouldn't have a problem.
If you don't want to get ripped off, I would stay from MongKok, Tsim Sai tsui. Those are tourist shopping attractions, but they rip tourists a new hole. You can go browse around, but make sure you haggle a lot. Go to Causeway Bay, central for higher-end shopping.

You have to go to the peak via trams in Admiralty. Find a good sunny day and go up there, it's very nice and the restaurant is good too (a little pricey though).
Just PM if you need good places to eat. I am unemployed, I've been just going out to try new restaurants.