Well where will I start? I have travelled to quite a few places around the world, but my love for Kowloon, Hong Kong will always be the same!!
By day, it's busy with business workers, shoppers, culture and by night, it all calms down with friends, family and couples taking a strole along the ... Read review
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Advantages: all you want in one place Disadvantages: the humid hot weather in crowded streets
...have a thick wallet, then Kowloon has many high class hotels to choose from. Hotels which will be situated at the heart of Kowloon some of which will have breath-taking views as you look out the window.
However, those of you with a thinner wallet like myself, well don't fret, as I have stayed at the Metropole Hotel, and I managed to get a packaged holiday - this tends to let you experience the joy of living in a top class hotel without breaking ... ...literally applies to you in Kowloon if your are a shopper! Kowloon has many designer labels boutiques, and the service that comes along with the boutiques is first class. However, if you are like myself can only look and not purchase because my bank balance will probably fall out with me, then they are plenty of other shops to shop in. The fashion is up to date with affordable prices. Also, those of you who would like to purchase designer labes, ... more
Well where will I start? I have travelled to quite a few places around the world, but my love for Kowloon, Hong Kong will always be the same!! By day, it's busy with business workers, shoppers, culture and by night, it all calms down with friends, family and couples taking a strole along the Tsimshatsui Harbour soaking in the night view of Hong Kong. As a tourist, if you have a thick wallet, then Kowloon has many high class hotels to choose from. Hotels which will be situated at the heart of Kowloon some of which will have breath-taking views as you look out the window. However, those of you with a thinner wallet like myself, well don't fret, as I have stayed at the Metropole Hotel, and I managed to get a packaged holiday - this tends to let you experience the joy of living in a top class hotel without breaking your bank balance. Travelling is extremely convienent in Hong Kong. You have a choice of bus, taxis, tram, underground or the train. Most of which are minutes of walking to and from the hotel. Food, well what can I say. You will be spoilt for choice in Hong Kong. The list is endless, and the prices will range from £1.00 for a bowl of Wun Ton noodles soup to £20 for a steak dinner. All you need to decide when it comes to food is which ethnic of food do you fancy - from Indian to English to Korean. However, alcoholic drinks in Hong Kong is expensive. They can be as expensive as double the prices compared to UK. Generally, people will go for happy hours to buy cheaper drinks. People in Hong Kong will be extremely friendly to tourist. And they will help tourist to the best of their ability, although if you do find yourself in a situation where you are needing to ask a local for direction or for whatever query, you might be doing alot of hand gestures and guess work. My advice is to ask a smartly dressed local, as they tend to know English and will be able to communicate well in English. Shopping. The phrase 'shop till you drop' - well this will literally applies to you in Kowloon if your are a shopper! Kowloon has many designer labels boutiques, and the service that comes along with the boutiques is first class. However, if you are like myself can only look and not purchase because my bank balance will probably fall out with me, then they are plenty of other shops to shop in. The fashion is up to date with affordable prices. Also, those of you who would like to purchase designer labes, but can't afford the real thing, then no worries, Kowloon, sells many replicas of designer labels that are in season that is almost identical to the real thing. Mongkok, Kowloon has street markets which comes alive at night which sells these designer replicas that I mentioned. It also sells many other things, you name it they will have it. You will find that you can pick up many bargains as souveniors to bring back to your friends and family. The only problem is you will need to control yourself, not to overshop!! Another thing is these night markets don't close til about 3am - yes 3AM!! - so if your feeling bored at night, then you will know where to go! Ok - I have sold Kowloon like there is no tomorrow. Having said all this, I am not going to be completely biased, there is some disadvantages. The weather!! The months of May-August, is very hot and humid. I will recommend to go to Hong Kong between Oct-Feb, at this time the weather is more clear and less humid. It can get crowdy in Hong Kong, which doesnt help in the heat you are in when it come to the summer months. Another thing is also the public toilets. In the last 5 years or so, the conditions of the public toilets has improved alot, however, some still has the hole in the ground method. It is highly recommended to always bring a pack of pocket tissues with you, as this will come in highly useful. Also, to travel to Hong Kong is expensive. Travelling from UK, in the peak seasons flights would cost between £500-£800. And travelling in the off-peak seasons, prices could range from £350-£600. Those of you who, likes to explore, shop, eat, soak up new cultures, then I would highly recommend to go to Hong Kong for about 2 weeks. I have not heard anyone who has travelled to Hong Kong and coming back saying they have not enjoyed themselves.
Finally, I hope this review has given you an insight of what Kowloon, Hong Kong is like. If you do decide to take a break and go to Hong Kong, then I hope you will have a fantastic time, bringing back many unforgettable memories.
HONG KONG MY EXPERIENCE
I lived in Hong Kong for four years with my family as my dad was in the raf we lived in Kowloon tong and went to st Georges secondary school which was for forces children but also locals and other nationalities did attend I remember in a class of 30 there would be a mixture of Chinese English Japanese's Korean and Indian children all of us were great mates and got along well
In Hong Kong I learnt how eat with chop sticks and some of the native spoken caterniese which sorry to say I can say but not spell lol
While in Hong Kong we did a lot of home videos about our stay we called them the sights and not the smells of Hong Kong this would be because it was not a very nice smelling place but I do remember that clothing was cheep and there where tones of places to visit and eat
I remember one place we used to ...
In May 2004 I stayed for 6 days in Kowloon after 4 days in Hong Kong Island. What a contrast! HKI is where the money is and Kowloon is the powerhouse that supplies all the workers that keep HK Islanders prosperous.
Kowloon is the place to shop if your budget is anything less than millionaire. There are numerous shopping malls including the Yue Hwa chain of Chinese retail stores that stock genuine Chinese goods at bargain prices. I bought small original Chinese paintings for less than £2 each.
I stayed at the Ramada on Chatham Road South (yes - a lot of the street names will be very familiar to you). Basic, but cheap (£40/night) and clean with friendly, helpful staff. Central to all that is happening in Kowloon.
Kowloon is all about shopping. I have never seen so many shops per square mile anywhere. High fashion, jewellery ...
Advantages: Comfortable, great service, attention to detail Disadvantages: None really
including lebkuchen, stollen and milk, white or dark chocolate truffles - and oh boy those truffles are divine!
Hong Kong is indeed a blend of old and new, tradition and progress, and here at the Shangri La there is no better way to sample it!
Booking
I was able to get a special rate at the hotel but, if booked direct with the Shangri La, you'll pay around US$320 for a room. Hotels.com offered rates around US$340; Expedia offered US$225 for a basic room, or US$335 for a harbor view, as we had. In general, it looks like the best rates were by booking direct, on the website.
The website (http://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/kowloon/en/) conveniently gives local weather information, a first that I have not seen before. I also noticed that the website didn't offer a photo tour or an album, but offered: "Map", "Fact Sheet" and "Safety ...