Disembarking in Hong Kong Question

[ravenclaw]

After a 20 day cruise, disembarking in Hong Kong for return flight to US.
For a post-cruise stay, (never been to Hong Kong), any suggestions as to how many days are "enough" ?
2, 3, 4 days, more ? (lived in Manhattan, so can handle the urbanity/congestion).

Thank you.

[MVPinBoynton]

Hong Kong is just a wonderful city. We were there for 2 days and could have easily doubled it; but I had to get back home for work. You can see what we stuffed into our 2 days in our review on our website www.thepreismans.com. We did see a lot, but it would have been nice to be able to go at a slower pace and see even more. The MTR is just an outstanding first class system which makes it very easy to get everywhere easily and quickly. In my opinion, if you have time, stay for no less than 3 or 4 days.

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by ravenclaw

After a 20 day cruise, disembarking in Hong Kong for return flight to US.
For a post-cruise stay, (never been to Hong Kong), any suggestions as to how many days are "enough" ?
2, 3, 4 days, more ? (lived in Manhattan, so can handle the urbanity/congestion).

Thank you.

Two days are OK, three days is probably ideal, but add a day each for Macau, or visa-inclusive excursion into "red" China, if they grab your fancy.
This excludes your arrival day (usually middle of the day), but could include your departure day if its an evening flight.
John Bull

[ravenclaw]

Thanks much for the replies and advice. Booked 5 day stay in Hong Kong.

[MVPinBoynton]

Originally Posted by ravenclaw

Thanks much for the replies and advice. Booked 5 day stay in Hong Kong.

It is an awesome city. Have a great time.

[KnoxvilleSam]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Two days are OK, three days is probably ideal, but add a day each for Macau, or visa-inclusive excursion into "red" China, if they grab your fancy.
This excludes your arrival day (usually middle of the day), but could include your departure day if its an evening flight.
John Bull

I did use the search function here as well as google, and the only organization I found (that was in English) was via Viator. Can anyone tell me about any other companies that offer this? I'm not sure we want to try it (we have essentially 3 full days in Hong Kong (counting the day we fly out at 10:45 pm), but it would be nice to have options.

Thanks,

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by KnoxvilleSam

I did use the search function here as well as google, and the only organization I found (that was in English) was via Viator. Can anyone tell me about any other companies that offer this? I'm not sure we want to try it (we have essentially 3 full days in Hong Kong (counting the day we fly out at 10:45 pm), but it would be nice to have options.

Thanks,

Hi Sam,

First of all, this is not the most historic or scenic part of mainland China - if you've been to China or plan to go some time to Beijing, Shanghai or wherever, then don't waste your valuable time on this trip. But it may be your only opportunity to spend a day in China, and at comparatively modest cost.

Google "Hong Kong Guangzhu tour" & you'll find several options of companies & itineraries.
Viator & City-Discovery are booking agencies, their tours will be exactly the same tour with the same people as the other operators, at about 15% premium.
But ..........
for the extra cost, you will be dealing with a respected international (US-based?) organisation, so you can perhaps have more confidence - esp since all operators will require booking/ payment in advance, partly due to organising the group visa, for which they need about 36 hrs notice.
I've done the tour twice. Once during an extended stay in HK, so I booked over-the-counter with a local tour company (sorry, don't remember the name). Second time arrived on a friday by cruise ship for a stay til tuesday, no saturday or sunday tours, so pre-booked before the cruise for the monday with Viator. They were very efficient, confirming my hotel pick-up time by txt and phone call to the hotel.

The first time was brilliant. Second time - 10 years later - it had been massively built-up, countryside & paddy-fields replaced by wall-to-wall factories & traffic jams. But still an experience.

Back in HK is about 8pm, so you couldn't do it on the day you fly home.
With 3 days in HK, it is an option. But only you can decide.

Have fun choosin'
JB

[CtheW0rld]

viatour is just a re-seller of other tour companies. do some research and you can save some $$$.

[kuldalai]

Hong Kong is the World's most exciting city, and you see most of it yourself on a self explore basis . Allow minimum 3 , ideally 4 full days .

Heres how :

HONG KONG SELF SIGHT-SEEING.

Hong Kong has two parts the Kowloon side (on the Chinese mainland) and Hong Kong Island . The Star Ferry links Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on HK Island as reliably today as it has done for over 150 years . A splendid MTR rail system also cover bother sides and provides under harbour links . In addition a network of double decker buses also provide key tourist services.

Cruise boats primarily berth at Ocean Terminal on the Kowloon side alongside the Star Ferry Pier, and occasionally at Freight berths in Kennedytown on HK Island .

Kowloon side - between Ocean Terminal and Nathan Road is the heart of great shopping for everything imaginable including cloths, watches, electronics and jewellery . Avoid the brand name department stores and search out the great deals with the smaller traders . Nearest MTR is Tsim Tsa Tsui.

The Temple Street Night Market operates nightly in Temple St , Jordan on Kowloon side . Nearest MTR is Jordan then a short walk . temple St runs parallel to Nathan Rd several blocks back towards the harbour .

Hong Kong Island : here one finds Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, Stanley, and Aberdeen . Cross the harbour by Star Ferry and soak in the atmosphere of the world’s most exciting city . Step ashore at Central Star Ferry Piers . You will see a bus interchange on shoreside. Take bus # 15 for Victoria Peak, # 15C for the Lower Peak Tram Station (then Peak Tram) to the Peak , # 629 for Ocean Park Aquarium (at 0935,0955,1015 only Daily); 6, 6X or 260 for the Fishing Village of Stanley and the famous daytime (from 10am) Stanley Market .

Victoria Peak is best visited at sunset for stunning views across the harbour as HK lights up . Nighly harbour light show at 8pm. For stunning views come down from the Peak at night by bus # 15 . The peak bus terminal is under the Galleria Shopping Centre . If you are bound for Kowloon bail out of bus at Admiralty and take the MTR to Tsim Tsa Tsui or Jordan . If heading back to Ocean terminal return to Kowloon from Central on the Island by the Star Ferry .

For those wishing to visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island here’s how to do that as inexpensive day round trip :
Leaving around 0830 by MTR to TUNG CHUNG, walk out the station cross a large open square and head for the Chairlift ( operates from 1000 to 1800) . at Chirlift buy the combined daily Chairlift & lantau Island Bus Pass . Take the breathtaking chairlift which does 2 x 90 degree turns to NGONG PING . Alight walk through the village shops and climb over 300 stairs to the magnificent Buddha . Return to the lower Shopping area and from the adjacent Bus Terminal take bus # 21 (at 1035, 1120, 1220, 1320 from NGONG PING to the fishing Village of TAI O . Walk slightly inland to discover the real village and a wonderful range of seafood restaurants where you can take in lunch. Walk back to the Shoreside bus terminal and take bus # 1 from TAI O to MUI WO . (40 minute frequency). Then fast ferry from MUI WO (Hourly departures) will have you back at Central on HK Island next to the Star Ferry Central Pier . If you leave Kowloon on the MRT at 0830 , you will be on the chairlift at start up time (1000), and have time to explore Ngong Ping and the Buddha to make the # 21 bus from Ngong Ping at 11.20 to Tai O . After lunch in Tai O you easily make # 1 bus to be in MUI WO to connect with the 1500 fast ferry to Hong Kong island - central Ferry Piers.