Visit Advice

We (2 of us) are arriving Hong Kong via a Holland America Cruise Ship on April 19, 2007 around 7:00am and departing via Air France Airlines April 22, 2007 at 11:25pm. While in Hong Kong we will be staying at the Salisbury YMCA. We will have a large and small suitcase each and both have wheels.

What is the best transportation from pier to hotel, hotel to airport and overall getting around to see the local sites? Should we get an Octupus Card and if so, how much should we put on the card? Does it also work for the buses and ferry boats? Where is the closest airport express checkin from our hotel?

We have heard that the bus ride by itself to Stanley is worth the trip. What would be some other places to see and the best way to get there? Where would a tourist go to look at Chinese homeopathic herbs, remedies and information? We currently visit local acupunture and herbal practitioners here in the Dallas area with good results.

We are really looking forward to the visit and appreciate all advice.

Visit Advice

From pier to hotel. If the suit cases can be moved across the street, it would be less than 5 min walk. Otherwise get a taxi and pay the minimum fare plus tips, it is still not expensive.

From hotel to AE checkin, again depends on your luggage situation. Maybe a taxi to Kowloon AE station to checkin, or a connector bus, or even an airport bus, which may be cheaper. But I suppose you should checkin at AE station and then enjoy the evening meal in Town before reporting to the airport before 9 pm.

Octpus card can be used in regular buses, the green minibuses, trains trams and ferries, and supermarkets, 7-11 etc. I always put in HKD300 as a start.

The bus ride to Stanley is exciting if you mange to sit at the front of top deck. It will go by Repulse Bay. Sights depend very much on your interest, and is subjective. Please read up some previous trip reports here and take your pick.

I am ignorant about herbs.

Visit Advice

Thanks for your help bofoster. It sounds like the cruise pier is in Kowloon close to the hotel. I will check on other things to visit outside of my wife ready to do the shopping scene.

The airport express K3 bus picks up every 15 minutes from the Kowloon Hotel, just cattycorner across the street from the Salisbury%26#39;s rear exit. You can check your bags in there and obtain seat assignments and a boarding pass, then revisit the town before taking the 20 minute train ride to the airport.

You can sell your unused Octopus credits at the airport kiosk.

We like Yue Hwa Chinese Products Company%26#39;s main store in Jordan, which sells acupuncture supplies and ear, head and hand models as well as charts. Take the MTR subway to Jordan and the seven story main store is at the exit on Nathan Road. Check the Hong Kong Tourist Board%26#39;s site for free tours. www.discoverhongkong.com

Check out the free culture and heritage tours. Don%26#39;t miss a free harbour cruise on the Duk Ling.

For recent pictures of my 3-9 February trip see my blog at www.americansabroad.blogspot.com

For Stanley take the #6 or 6A bus from Central and ride on top in front.

Thanks spinkk for your help and suggestions. I checked the discoverhongkong site and saw where the harbor cruise provides a great sighting of the ';Symphony of Lights';. We have more to check out but haven%26#39;t found the place for the free cruise or tours yet. The info on Chinese acupunture and products was very helpful. My wife has hepatitis c from a blood transfusion and has been treated by a local Chinese Dr and herbs. We hope to get more info in Hong Kong. Thanks for all the help.

I have just returned from a trip to HK and stayed at the Salisbury YMCA-great hotel. The free ride on Duk Ling only operates on Thursdays and Saturdays and books out very quickly.

As you are arriving on a Thursday you probably will not be able to get on that day but should try for the Saturday.

You can book the ride through the HK Tourist Bureau - the office is at the star ferry terminal and opens at 8.00am each day. You will need to have your passport with you when you book. Go in to the office on the Thursday if you can it will give you a better chance of getting on the ride for Saturday. I took the ride on Duk Ling and it was great.

The Octopus card is really handy- eliminates the need to find small change for the buses,ferries etc. Most of the buses expect exact fare and do not give change if you do not have the correct change.

All the best for you stay- HK is a fantastic city.

Thanks Adelaide Tinkerbell. The Duk Ling junket looks interesting and I have found it now on the web along with some self guided walking tours. We will definitely take all the advice we have received from everyone and it is also reassuring that you confirm our YMCA Salisbury is a good hotel choice. We will also get the Octopus card. Glad you enjoyed your visit.

The bus ride to Stanley is interesting. Suggest you go on a weekday, when it will be less crowded. The day we went, the driver crowded far more people on the double-decker bus than it was ever designed to take. I have never seen so many people on what is essentially a London transport omnibus. There were so many people on the top deck of the bus that it leaned over at every corner, and the tyres scraped on the chassis, very close to where I was sitting. I was terrified. The trip back however was lovely.