Hong Kong 4D3N - Overview

It was 13 years ago since I last visited Hong Kong. Finally the wait is over, all I remembered from the last trip was the bad weather (raining non-stop) and how expensive the clothing are for men. So this time, armed with better preparation and also better travel companions, I have decided to give HK a second chance.

To be fair, 4D3N is not sufficient to visit this small yet crowded Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). But I will try my best to bring to you a comprehensive trip overview of what we did in HK.

TRAVELLING
Almost everywhere is linked by the MTR. Better still, download the following apps (works for both iPhone or Android users), you will have no trouble finding your way in HK. Best of all, it’s FREE!!

  

Another app that might be useful will be the Discover HK app. Alternatively, just go to this website and check out all the available apps for touring HK.

For the MTR, I would recommend you to purchase the Octopus Card which is HK$150 ($50 deposit and $100 value). Top up another HK$100 and you won’t have to worry about not having enough value for 4 days’ use. Remaining amount can be refund before you leave HK. Octopus Card can be used on the MTR, buses and also the Peak Tram.

 

Taxi rides are readily available too. The starting rate is HK$20, and for reference sake, our journey from Mong Kok to HK International Airport is about HK$240. If we take the MTR, we will be paying HK$60/pax. So if you have about 4 pax on the trip, taxi rides are definitely more worth it.

MARKETS
You cannot miss the different markets in HK, namely Temple Street Night Market, Ladies’ Market, Goldfish Market (all found in Kowloon). We only went to the Stanley Market in Hong Kong Island. Click on the link of each market to find out more about what they offer and how to get there.

Ladies’ Market

Goldfish Market

Temple Street Night Market

Stanley Market

My suggestion would be to spend the 1st night at Ladies’ Market & Goldfish Market (both of them are side by side streets). Then the 2nd night go to Temple Street, you can go back to Ladies’ Market on the same night if you want to buy items you have missed out. For Stanley Market, go in the morning (after breakfast), then you would be able to enjoy the scenery.

PLACES OF INTEREST
I would highly recommend to visit the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators in HK. This is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. A tick off the bucket list.

Just take the MTR to Central MTR Station and follow the clear road signs. You will reach the 800 metres long escalators. You can either travel on the escalators or just walk along it and experience the true local lifestyle of Hong Kong residents. The escalator runs along the entire length of Shelley Street.

 

Check out the fun Jayne had at the sloping steps.

Ocean Park definitely a good choice to spend a morning and afternoon in a 4D3N trip.

Adult pays HK$280 and children aged 3-11 pays HK$140. You can take the Citybus 629 from the Bus Terminal just outside Admiralty MTR Station. The journey is only about 15mins long and costs HK$10.60 on your Octopus Card.

Read more about our trip to Ocean Park in my follow up post, but here is a glimpse of what you can expect.

And of course, the best place to see the million dollar view of HK has to be at The Peak. Like I said, you can take The Peak Tram which is situated within walking distance from Central MTR Station.

My recommendation would be to take the ride up around 5pm, so that you can be there just in time for the beautiful scene and also a glimpse of the sunset.

From The Peak, take the night bus available just outside the Lower Terminus and enjoy the spectacular night view of Central HK.

 

Take the bus ride all the way to the Central Pier. From here you can take the ferry and travel across to Tsim Sha Tsui for the Symphony of Lights, which involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour for a dazzling multimedia show.

FOOD
This is where I spent 90% of my money on. The food available are simply breath-taking! Every corner you turn, every street you walk into, there will be some amazing Dim Sum, Noodle, Roasted Pork, Milk Tea, Curry Fishball, Dessert, and the list goes on.. Here are just some to wet your appetite.

To find out more about the different shops we went for all these amazing food, check out my posts coming up soon.