[bling_singh]

Hey guys,

While I know this is something that could be googled, I figured it better to get some first hand knowledge first. I'm visiting Hong Kong in mid-November. While it's out of season, the main reason I'm travelling from Toronto is to visit my best friend who now lives in Taipei and figured I'd tick Hong Kong off my to-do list at the same time.

I'll probably be in Hong Kong for about 5 days and just wanted to know a bit about what there may be to do around that time. I know shopping is almost a national pasttime in HK and with any luck I'll be able to get some done. My main question has to do with where to stay. There are a ton of hotels on Hong Kong island and in Kowloon. For someone visiting is there any difference between the two as to where one stays (specifically Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side vs Wan Chai or Causeway Bay on the island.) (Apologies if I get the names or geography wrong!).

I can only imagine how good the nightlife is. Toronto has a clubbing district where most of the popular nightclubs etc are and is the busiest part of town late night...does HK have the same, or is there something happening all over the city? Must see things to see and do, what does it take to get to Macau, etc... any information would be appreciated.

Sorry for the wall of text, but thanks.

[K3VMO]

Well here's a friendly piece of advice.

First of all, if you're the night life kinda person, I definitely recommend you stay on the island side. The main clubbing district for the majority of people in HK and ex-pats is in Central - known as Lan Kwai Fong (LKF). That is where you'll find the majority of the night life.

Also there is plenty of shopping in causeway bay & central - with Tsim Sha Tsui only being short hop by subway or ferry. Also there is a ferry terminal located on the island side to get you to Macau if thats where you're after.

By the sound of what information you've given - HK side sounds like it'd be much better for you.

[bling_singh]

Thank you very much for the advice.

To be honest I don't know what exactly to expect or have a firm image of what I want to see or do...yet. From a comfort factor the island does seem like the better side as to where to set base, and venture across the region from there. I still want to take in as much as HK has to offer. I'm not a clubbing person by any stretch of the imagination but it would still be cool to check out. Thus the question as to what people tend to recommend.

The bigger things for me are learning about people, culture, and history. I figured researching what's available in that regard one one level can be found on Google, and on another level you just need to soak in through firsthand experience.

I'm most curious about the things that people who live in Hong Kong would recommend as underrated, overrated, must see etc etc. Tourism books and websites tend to overrate just about everything....but then sometimes there are things where words and pictures just don't to it justice.

Thanks again, very much appreciated.

[Wolfman]

Actually if you can find a hotel from the kowloon side, and one at Tsim Sha Tsui with a view of the harbour, you can get a great view of the Hong Kong skyline. Of course, that depends on your budget.