Hong Kong is situated on the south-east coast of China and covers an area of 425 square miles. It comprises of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories in addition to 262 outlying islands. Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–42) and remained under British rule, except for a brief Japanese occupation during World War II, until July 1997 when sovereignty was handed back to China by Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
It’s a great place to visit as a main holiday destination, as part of a round the world trip, a Far East Asia multi-destination holiday or as a stop over en route to Australia or New Zealand.
Though Hong Kong is an all year round destination, the best time to visit is between October and April when temperatures range from 60°C to mid 70°C and the humidity is most comfortable. During the rest of the year temperatures reach 80°C upwards with 80-90% humidity.
Hong Kong is serviced by direct airlines Cathy Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Air New Zealand; other European and Middle Eastern other airlines fly indirectly often making this a cheaper option.
Once you arrive at the new international airport HKIA it’s quite easy to get into Kowloon or to Hong Kong Island by standard regulated taxis or public buses. You can also use the Mass Transit Railway and be in Central Station MTR within 25 minutes (HK$90 one way). On your return leg, if you have to checkout of your hotel room early you can use one of the check-in desks for your luggage at either Central Station MTR or Kowloon MTR and do some last minute shopping in town and then go straight to the airport. Not all airlines offer this service so check first.
Getting around Kowloon and Hong Kong Island is easy. In Kowloon and on the island use the MTR which is cheap, very reliable, air conditioned and usually runs till 1am. You should also take a trip on the world famous Star Ferry across the harbour from Kowloon to the Island. The best route is Tsim Sha Tsui – Central, however there are other crossings to get you to other areas of the Island and outlying islands. Taxis are cheap and all are metered.
If you’re a shopaholic this is the place to be with mall after mall and nearly every one of them has the designer names we all love:LV , Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Calvin Klein underwear and jeans, and if you don’t want to be seen in the same top as someone else check out the local fashion houses… It’s a lot cheaper than the UK as there’s no VAT! You’ll save as much as £100 on an iPad.
Sights to see:
• ISLAND OF MACAU is known as the Las Vegas of China combined with a quiet Portuguese coastal village. Think enamel tiles, ochre yellow churches and the biggest and richest casinos in the world. Some go for the day however to really experience it you need a few nights there. It’s only a ferry ride away.
• A SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS is a spectacular multimedia display, already named the World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records. It is a nightly light show at 8pm, includes 40 of the most famous skyscrapers in Hong Kong and can be seen from both the mainland and the island.
• BIG BUDDha (Lan Tau Island) is the most famous Buddha landmark in Hong Kong and well worth the trip by MTR or bus then cable car ride. Be aware that there are one or two steps to climb!
• VICTORIA PEAK & TRAM (Central, Hong Kong) offers the best views of Hong Kong, Kowloon, the harbour and the other side of the island. Take the tram to the top. The best time to go is mid-week and go first thing in the morning to avoid the queues. Make sure it’s a clear day!
• LADIES MARKET (Tung Choi St, Mong Kok, Kowloon) is an enjoyable market for those with an eye for bargain-priced clothing, bags, accessories, toys, cosmetics and household knick-knacks.
• TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET (Temple Street, Hong Kong) features rows of brightly lit stalls with a variety of inexpensive items especially for men, including clothing, pens, watches, CDs, cassettes, electronic gadgets, hardware and luggage. That’s why it is also called ‘Men’s Street.‘
• AVENUE OF THE STARS (Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Hong Kong) is Hong Kong’s tribute to the Hollywood of the East with commemorative plaques, handprints of movie celebrities, descriptive milestones, kiosks with movie memorabilia, a towering Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, and a life size statue of legendary kung-fu action star Bruce Lee. The location offers incredible panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, and is also a good viewing point for the nightly light show.
• MAN MO TEMPLE (124-126 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong) is located about halfway along Hollywood Road, and is a tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). Giant incense coils hang overhead; a stop in its quiet, incense-shrouded interior makes for a pleasant break.
• OCEAN PARK (Aberdeen, Hong Kong) has everything for a fun day out with fun rides and cable car rides. Hop aboard a raft and race down river rapids to the sounds of a tropical rainforest. On this journey, you’ll encounter some of the world’s most fascinating animals, including the world’s smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset; the world’s smallest toucan, the green aracari; as well as weirdly wonderful critters like the capybara, the world’s largest rodent and the kinkajou.
• REPULSE BAY (Beach Rd, Hong Kong) is primarily an upmarket residential area but has one of the best beaches on the island and is popular with locals and visitors. This crescent shaped stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong and features a lifeguard clubhouse built in traditional Chinese style with a ceiling decorated with magnificent swirling dragons. Towering twin statues of Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, protectors of fishermen dominate the picturesque gardens that lead down to the beach.
• JUMBO KINGDOM (Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong) is the world famous floating Chinese Restaurant, which was opened in 1976 and now seats 2,300. Most locals and expats look down on it now as a tourist tack eatery; however, a visit in the evening for the famous picture postcard is a must.
• DISNEYLAND HONG KONG (Lantau Island, Yam O, Hong Kong) is the place to come if you love Disneyland and they even have a gay day in December!
• GAY PINK SEASON is during October/ November with Pride, Halloween, Out In The Open, Drag Overdose, Pink Pop Party, Les Peches, Mr Gay Hong Kong, Fruits In Suits, Avant G’Art, Gay Flotilla & Gay Disney.
BARS & CLUBS
• Volume: Beat (LG/F, 62 Jervois St, Sheung Wan Hong Kong) is the newest and smartest bar and club to open in Hong Kong which replaces the original Volume Club in Central. It has a smart bar and seating area with regular DJs, a mixed aged crowd comprising of both locals and those from out of town.
• Volume: Heat (LG/F 83-85 Hollywood Rd, Central District, Hong Kong). This was the original Volume Club in central, it is now run in conjunction with Volume: Beat. It’s an excellent Vietnamese style Kitchen and Bar. There is a discount for Airline Crew on showing their ID card.
• Cafe Queen (237 Queens Road Central Hong Kong). A Cafe/Bar serving food and drinks from 12noon until late.
• Boo Bar (5/F, Pearl Oriental Tower, 225 Nathan Rd, Jordan, Kowloon) is the nearest to a UK Bear Bar as we know it that you’ll see here. It is a very popular bear & cub v karaoke bar/club all in one and tastefully kitted out. It’s on the border of Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan, has regular DJs at the weekend and the staff are friendly. You could well be the only westerner in there!
• JAABAR : 1 Pak Tze Lane, Central, Hong Kong). An excellent friendly small bar which has some of the best cocktails, again it’s down a small ally near but well worth the find.
• New Wally Matt Lounge (G/F, 5A, Hunphrey’s Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon) It is a bit of a strange bar; the décor is a cross between a traditional UK bar with additional US diner seating. Think wood panelling from the 1970s and you get the picture. It’s open every night and mostly frequented by locals and those that don’t want to hit central. Look out for the odd cockroach serving at the bar as well as trying to watch the two TVs on different channels at the same time… They have regular happy hours early in the evening.
• T:me (Basement Floor, 65 Hollywood Rd, Central, Soho, Hong Kong). It’s a struggle to find this bar the first time you go as it’s not actually on Hollywood Road, rather the back street parallel to it going down the hill. A small but popular bar with both locals and out of towners, regular happy hours most nights, though drinks outside of happy hour can be rather costly.
• Feather Boa (8 Staunton St, Soho, Hong Kong) is a very camp Moulin Rouge-style bar serving outrageous signature cocktails. It’s supposed to be a members only place, however you can get in with an ID or credit card. It has had a reputation for being racist towards Asians, which is strange as the owner is Chinese! If you like camp surroundings and even camper drinks, it could be just your place.
• Propaganda (LG/F 1 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong), set one street back from Hollywood Road is an institution and probably the most famous club and bar in Hong Kong. It’s very quiet mid-week when entry is free; however the weekend is very busy and rather expensive $250 / £20.
• Zoo (33 Jervois St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong) is a very small bar, smartly decorated and a feeder bar for the new Volume Beat Club across the street.
In addition to these there are smaller one nighters and venues that have early doors.