HK International Airport and Tips

Hong Kong International Airport is located 4o kilometers west of the city of Hong Kong. All passenger flights connect to one super-terminal, which is said to be the largest enclosed space in the world. A fast and convenient dedicated train service links the airport to the city centre.

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Do's and Don'ts:

Tourists can travel freely in Hong Kong. Be nice to the people, so you will get back a polite kindness. Don't do anything against the law. Be careful also taking pictures from old people in the villages, some of them are very superstitious. Visitors should carry a passport or other form of identification with photograph at all times.

* Name cards or Calling cards are distributed like confetti, so you should carry them with you at all times. Receiving a card without offering one in return is a signal that you do not want to make the other person's acquantance or that you lack status yourself.

* To fit in at Chinese restaurant or teahouse, remember when someone serves you a hot tea, it's customary to tap two bent fingers on the table as an expression of thanks.

* By law passengers are required to wear a seat belt when available, wether sitting in front or rear.

* Always ask for a receipt while traveling in a taxi. This helps you track down lost items, or the taxi driver.

HK The Peak

Getting to The Peak is half the fun when Ed and I take the Peak Tram. It climbs to 396 metres above sea level in just seven minutes. It offers breathtaking views on the steep climb to its upper terminus.



The Peak Tram is a funicular railway.



Shopping, dining and entertainment attractions are just some of the adventures that await visitors at the Peak Tower. It has seven floors with a total area of 10,400 m2 in a wok shape.



Explore 'Ripley's Believe It or Not' with themed galleries featuring amazing, bizarre and unusual exhibits. You'll wonder how they could possibly be true.



Aside from Ripley's, there are also some attractions like Odditorium, Hong Kong's Historical Adventure (a journey through the scenes of the Hong Kong's early history, and the first computer-operated entertainment ride in HK), Madame Tussaud's (a branch of London famous wax museum), and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator. It also houses many gift shops.


Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on the island and the 11th highest in the entire territory of Hong Kong.



It enables you to experience the dazzling panorama of Hong Kong Island, the harbour, Kowloon and the hills beyond.

HK Cultural Centre and HKCEC

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is one of the city's main performing art venues located at Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.



The scenic Victoria Harbour view at the back of HK Cultural Centre. Great place for taking pictures.



Harbour view of the renowned city skyline Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. One of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong. Built along the Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial buildings.

HK Aberdeen Harbour

Aberdeen lies on the southern side of Hong Kong island. Over the years, it has become a modern town with bustling waterfron activity.



We had a free sampan ride along Aberdeen harbour, which was included in the package tour. We had seen boat-dwellers who shuttle backwards and forwards in their sampans, sailboats, water taxis, yachts...



and the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant, which has been one of the cultural attractions, visited well over a dozen of times by locals and tourists alike. It is famous for Chinese seafood cuisine and dim sum. It is said the place is a sight to behold at night where thousands of light bulbs lit up.

HK Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay, located southern part of Hong Kong island is famous for its long, broad beach and popular among locals and tourists.



The Repulse Bay is a picturesque example of early 20th-Century colonial architecture. On the beach there are the huge statues of Tin Hau (the Queen of Heaven) and Kwun Yum (the Goddess of Mercy), both of whom are protectors of fishermen.

HK Factory Visit

One of our HK half-day tour itineraries was a factory visit to JCL (Jewellery City Co LTD). They're selling extensive collection of crafted and fashionable jewelries like rings, earrings, bracelets, bangles, chains and pendants. Inside the store, you can also see the world's largest amethyst geode discovered in Brazil. Their clientele is made up of 70 percent tourists and 30 percent locals.




Address:
Jewellery City Co Ltd
Unit A3, Ground Floor
Merit Industrial Centre
94 Tokwawan Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2764-1133

Ocean Park Other Areas

Next to the Marine Land is the Ocean Park Japanese Garden with aesthetically attractive natural landscape and a large circular fishpond.



We had a tranquil journey in the Cable car from the lowland area to the headland section. We enjoyed a fascinating 360-degree grand scenery of the park and the surroundings.



The outdoor weatherproof escalator system is the second longest escalator in the world. Visitors can choose either escalator or cable car to the headland.


Hong Kong Ocean Park filled our day with pleasure and excitement and satisfying memories.


Admission Fee - HK$185 (Adult), Hk$85 (Children from 3-11 years old)
Opening Hours - From Tuesday to Sunday; 10am - 6pm (10am - 11pm in summer)

Ocean Theater

Ocean Theater is an open-air theater and the most popular spot in the whole Ocean Park. I loved the show but I just didn't like the crowd. Most of the Chinese mainlanders were boorish and noisy. Some were engaging loud conversations and playing games (Yes, literally) while the show was going on. I even saw some of them spitting on the floor. Arrrgghh... disgusting!!! Guys, don't get me wrong. I'm not a racist nor I intend to insult them. I don't mean to say that all Chinese mainlanders behave in an uncivilized manner. There may also be other people from other nationalities who are like that. I'm just sharing my personal experience. Apologies for my rant.



Just before the show gets started, a live band keeps everyone entertained. This band put on a good show and I'm proud to say that they're all Filipinos.



Dolphins and sea lions show-off their spectacular tricks with the guidance of trainers.



This is the perfect time for a great kissing scene!! hehehe...



Look at that! Bragging off infront of everyone like a gymnast. Incredibly amazing!

Ocean Park Tower

Ocean Park Tower in the headland section with a height of 72 meters, is the Southeast Asia's tallest observation tower.



Here we are inside the revolving tower.


It's slowly revolving cabin enables us to catch a panoramic view of the whole park when it rotates from the ground to the top.

Ocean Park Marine Land

Atoll Reef is one of the many popular attractions of Marine Land. It is a shaped like a three or four storied elliptical fishbowl. We had seen a variety of fish through glass windows. The collection includes sharks, tropical fish and nautilus.




There are morays, groupers, turtles and other maritime animals. Apart from fish, some corals and cays are exhibited.



The Shark Aquarium is an underwater viewing tunnel to observe the dangerous maritime creatures. If you're lucky, you might see divers feeding or playing with sharks.



You can observe the habitat of seals and sea lions in the Pacific Pier, their daily activities through underwater viewing tunnel or greet them face to face.



Shhh... don't make noise, there's a sea lion sleeping like a baby.



Outside the Marine Land, you'll see a shark's gigantic jaw replica...

and a multicolored mural painting to liven up the area.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is a theme park in the Southern District of Hong Kong island. One of Southeast Asia's largest Oceanariums in the world and the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia with an area of 870,000 square metres. It features aquariums, dolphin shows, thrilling rides, scenic cable cars, Asia's largest film simulator ride and the giant pandas. Restaurants and novelty gift shops are ready to cater to hungry visitors and those looking for souvenirs. You'll need a whole day to see everything.


This complex is at one of the entrances to Ocean Park. A great place for young and old.

About Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a unique, fast moving and ever-changing metropolis with vitality and diversity. The place is a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.


More than 6.7 million people live in Hong Kong, making some districts among the world's most densely populated areas. Almost 95% of the population is Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though the use of Mandarin, or Putonghua, is growing.

Climate:
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasonal changes.
*Spring (March to mid-May): Temperature and humidity are rising.
*Summer (late May to mid-September): Hot and humid. Occasional rain makes umbrellas worth carrying.
*Autumn (late September to early December): Clear and sunny. Light jackets will be fine.
*Winter (mid-December to February): Temperatures can drop to 10C. Woolens and overcoats are required for occasional chills.

Currency:
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Denominations are HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1000 notes. Coins come in denominations of 10, 20, and 50 cents, and one, two, five and ten dollars.

Transportation:
Most public transport requires exact change and that's why it is better to get an Octupos card. This electronic stored-value card is just like money and is accepted for most public transporation including buses, trains, ferries, Peak Tram and some taxis. It's even accepted at convenience stores. To pay a fare, simply put the Octupos card on the fare box and the fare gets deducted electronically. If you're doing a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) itinerary, it's better to have at least HK$200 on the card including a refundable HK$50 deposit. Any leftover money is also refunded when you return the card. You can ask for it at the Airport Express Customer Service Counters.



Don't forget to take a double-decker tram ride to enjoy Hong Kong's myriad of sight. Unlike the other forms of public transport, the fares are fixed regardless of the distance travelled. Passengers deposit the exact fare into a box next to the driver upon alighting. Payment for the ride can be made using coins or via Octopus card.





The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) mainly serves the New territories, operates between Hung Hom and the boundary with Mainland China crossing at Lo Wu. The Light Rail (LR) runs between Yuen Long and Tuen Mon.