Hong Kong Island

...should have a say on Hong Kong Island, considering the fact that I've lived there for more than 18 years. For a view of how Hong Kong has emerged as a truly international city, do go have a look.

First I'll have to start off where you leave the Hong Kong International Airport. Take the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, the first thing for a shop-aholic to do is to explore Central. Right where you come out of the station is the ...
.../> Places to eat: famous Hong Kong dishes include dimsum, fishball and wonton noodles and seafood, but international dishes are also very authentic. Dimsum in JADE restaurant, Exchange Square 2, Central, and Zen in Pacific Place, Admiralty, are my personal favourites, but the Chinese restaurants in hotels also have really exquisite dimsum. The word dimsum means to touch the heart in Cantonese, and I do hope these meticulously prepared savouries ... more

I really feel that I should have a say on Hong Kong Island, considering the fact that I've lived there for more than 18 years. For a view of how Hong Kong has emerged as a truly international city, do go have a look.

First I'll have to start off where you leave the Hong Kong International Airport. Take the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, the first thing for a shop-aholic to do is to explore Central. Right where you come out of the station is the International Financial Centre, IFC1 and IFC2. This is the newest hip place to go in Central for shopping, no matter what you fancy, from big name brands like Versace, high street buys like Calvin Klein to the gigantic Japanese supermarket City Super, you can find anything here. Afterwards simply take a rest in the bookshop, Dymocks, or one of the numerous cafes in that area. If you still feel energetic after IFC, take a walk further into Central District and there you find the biggest Giorgio Armani mall (yes, not a shop; it's really a mall) in all of Asia, as well as other posh brands. Continue your shopping venture in Causeway Bay and Admiralty, all easily accessible by MTR (underground).

For those who are here for cheap shopping, move West to the Shueng Wan district for cheap goods in Lee Yun St East and West, or take the MTR to Causeway Bay's Jardine's Crescent, or Mongkok's Tung Choi Street, also known as Women's Street, on Kowloon Side.

For techonology goods (we sell really new computers at really cheap prices), try Shum Shui Po for cheap deals, but beware of fake or faulty goods. If you're not that pro in technology, try Wanchai's 298 Computer World or Computer Centre on Hennessy Road. These places are all within easy walking distance from MTR stations.

Attractions: the Peak gives you a view of the entire Victoria harbour, and is especially marvellous when the sky is clear. It is very pretty at night when all the lights are on in HK (this place is a 24 hour city, it doesn't really sleep until very late), but if you're the sporty type, try going very early in the morning to see the sunrise and to get the freshest air of the day.

Places to eat: famous Hong Kong dishes include dimsum, fishball and wonton noodles and seafood, but international dishes are also very authentic. Dimsum in JADE restaurant, Exchange Square 2, Central, and Zen in Pacific Place, Admiralty, are my personal favourites, but the Chinese restaurants in hotels also have really exquisite dimsum. The word dimsum means to touch the heart in Cantonese, and I do hope these meticulously prepared savouries can touch your heart.
Fishballs and wonton noodles are a local favourite, and it can go as cheap as 70p for a huge bowlful. The best place to try fishballs with rice noodles will be in Aberdeen, the traditional fishing village. Take bus number 7 or 71 from the Central Pier, or 75, 72 or 42 from Causeway Bay. Wonton is really good in the small shops in Shueng Wan. A popular restaurant among the locals is Chim Chai Kee, one block up opposite the Centre, where the Tourist Information Centre is. For these eateries, beware of the chilli sauce!

Seafood: although many people think Aberdeen is a good place, I personally disagree, since the really fresh catches are usually available in Lee Yue Mun, Kowloon, accessible by minibus from Yau Tong MTR station, or Sai Kung, New Territories, less accessible but absolutely worth it. If you don't feel like crossing the harbour at all, or you don't have enough time, try the seafood restaurants in Central, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay. You might as well just walk in any of these with huge fishtanks at the entrance, from which you choose your fish (ask the person who does the catching, not the manager, for advice =D) Try steamed fish and Lobster in cheese sauce.

One thing Westerner's might not know too well is how good traditional Chinese breakfast is, whether it is soya milk and you tiao, Chinese equivalent to doughnuts, or glutinous rice dumplings, congee (my favourite: this is Chinese rice porridge which comes in all kinds of flavours, I love the Crab Congee in Cousin Cousin Congee shop, Happy Valley, accessible by tram and bus 5A), or even dimsum. Hmm~~

International cuisine: try small cafes in Causeway Bay, or high tea at Mandarin Oriental, Central, if you have the budget.
For Japanese, try Genki sushi with the conveyor belt, or ramen shops for Japanese noodles, but there are numerous Japanese restaurants of very high quality. Cheap alternatives are available in Mongkok and Wanchai.
Try the unique Hong Kong style steakhouses which serve steaks on sizzling iron pans, Boston restaurant in Wanchai, opposite Southorn Sportsground, is a good choice, and so is Danny's Kitchen, or Sunning's, both on Leighton Road near Time's Square, Causeway Bay
Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian as well as Italian are really good too. Do explore on your own, they can't be too bad.

For good pubs and jazz clubs, Lan Kwai Fong, the heart of HK's Soho area, is a must. Get out of Central MTR station and you can find road signs guiding you.

Accommodation: Hong Kong offers some of the best hotels in the world, but at relatively cheaper prices than the UK. On Hong Kong Island, the Mandarin Oriental is the cream; on Kowloon side, the Peninsular. Back on HK Island, top hotels include Ritz Carlton, Marriot, Shangri-La, Excelsior, Grand Hyatt... cheaper alternatives can be really nice too. Try YWCA on Macdonnell Road, Midlevels, Ibis North Point, YMCA and so on. Mid-range hotels also offer excellent service; try checking the HK Tourist Board for more information.~

Happy Journey... to the Pearl of the East

FOR MORE iNFORMATION...
Ok I guess you could check out the offical site by the Hong Kong Tourist Board. Lonely Planet only does Hong Kong some justice with their separate Hong Kong guide; careful that the part with the cheating electronics sellers in Tsim Sha Tsui is true, I have to admit, which is a reason why I don't recommend you to get your electronics in that area.
Hmm... I'll have to say I recommend Hong Kong as a place to visit in SE Asia not because I lived there, but compared to other destinations it has a few advantages.
1. It is really near to China and serves as a great starting point or finishing point since I have to say it's usually less tiring to explore HK than other parts of China, and despite the same buzzling you'll tend to feel more secure... especially when you try to cross the road =P.

2. HK can serve as the midway destination from Europe or America to Australia and New Zealand, or the way round. Loads of flights stop at HK for connections, and after 12 hours flight you'll need the pampering Hong Kong can offer you.

3.Compared to locations like Singapore, which is near to other parts of SE Asia, HK is prettier, most people who've been to both places would agree. Not only its harbour is so attractive, but the variety of food, shopping, entertainment is also larger. If you want to do an Asia tour, Hong Kong is my preferred choice to start or end the journey. 

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