Hong Kong - Shenzhen - Macau - Zhuhai
HONGKONG
If you intend to stay in Hong Kong Island, you can try to get hotels thru www. hoteltravel.com. The rates offered in this site are one of the cheapest. We stayed at the South Pacific Hotel in November at USD70 for a standard room (all tax inclusive). This hotel has just been renovated and is very clean. Size of room is comfortable for 2 people. It is located near to the Time Square and is about 5 to 10 mins walk to Causeway Bay MTR. Just walk behind the hotel, cross the road, pass an under-the-highway passage, cross another road and you will see Time Square.
This hotel is located near/next to a wet market (called the Bowrington Market). At the side of this market is an old porridge shop (signage protruding out of the shop with 4 Big Chinese Characters). One of the cheapest shops - with all types of porridge at HKD8, veg. at HKD10, desserts (red and green bean soups) are good and cheap. There are few shops behind hotel, which sell seafood dishes, porridge, etc only at night. Very crowded with locals. Even the smallest order for 2 tends to be very big. Check price before ordering. A decent meal will cost about Singapore Dollars 40 depending on what you order.
If you want to stay in hotel with beautiful sea view, try the Metropark in Hong Kong Island – very good review at www.tripadvisor.com. Price at this hoteltravel website is about 87USD for harbour view and USD84 for other view. Please note different seasons, prices differ.
GETTING TO HONGKONG ISLAND OR KOWLOON FROM HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
How to get to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon from HK Airport by local transport?
When you get out of the Arrival Hall, turn right and walk straight down to the Bus Stop near an open air carpark. Look for Bus Service S1 (ask the locals if you are now sure). Take S1 to Tung Chung Bus Interchange, which is also linked to Tung Chung MTR. Fixed fare HKD3.50 (check for senior citizen fare – bus driver will advise you). When you reach this station, you will see a shopping mall and MTR station. From here you can transfer to HK Island or to Kowloon by changing at Lai King Interchange. The fare from Tung Chung to Causeway Bay is about HKD23. The journey takes about 1 hr 45 mins. If you go to Kowloon, the journey is shorter and it costs about HKD17. From Shenzhen to HK Airport (KCR from Shenzhen to Kowloon Tong then to Prince Edward, to Lai King Interchange and Tung Chung and by local bus S1 to Hong Kong Airport took about 2 hours. (KCR from Shenzhen to Kowloon Tong is HKD33 (Senior Citizen – half price, Kowloon to Tung Chung is HKD17 (not sure if senior citizen has special rate) and local bus fare HKD3.50. Please note if you intend to take AIRPORT BUS from hotel to HK Airport, it will cost you HKD140 if you book thru the hotel. If you book thru the website on your own, it cost only HKD80 per person. For your info, bus fare in Hong Kong is fixed at HKD8.90 (any distance), senior citizen is half price (must pay fixed fare). Tram is HKD1 for senior citizen and children, others at HKD2. For ferry rides to and from HK Island to Kowloon, senior citizens travel FREE.
MACAU
If you intend to go to Macau, ferry from HK Island is around HKD135 (senior citizen – half price) and from Kowloon is around HKD80. (senior citizen should presumably be half price). From Macau, you can go to Zhuhai – this price is like Shenzhen, good for shopping and very cheap food.
To get to Zhuhai, you just have to take any hotel bus, ask the bus driver if they go to GONG BEI (that is immigration custom for Zhuhai). It’s free and you don’t have to take taxi or their local bus.Most of the hotel buses from HK-Macau ferry point will normally fetch hotel guests to the hotel then they will proceed to GONG BEI to fetch hotel guests back to their hotel or HK-FERRY terminals. The buses operate round trips HK-Macau Ferry Terminal – Hotel – GONG BEI – Hotel – HK Macau Ferry Terminal.
SHENZHEN
From HK to Shenzhen, you have to take the KCR line from Kowloon, from 1st stop at Tsim Sha Tsui is around HKD36, then from Hung Hom, Mong Kok, Kowloon Tong the rate is fixed at HKD33 (Senior Citizen) half price. They have 24 hour round trip HK-Shenzhen-HK at HKD80 with unlimited ride on MTR in Hong Kong – Not sure if senior citizen is half price. Ride takes about 40 mins to 55 mins depending on speed of train. The train will end at Lu Huo (or Luwo). Just outside the Luhuo Immigration is the Luhuo Commercial Complex (called LCC). This place is great for shopping but must bargain at least 50 percent of asking price. Always pretend to walk away from the shop, then the shop assistants will sell you their goods. If they can sell you, they will. Shop around before buying. Check quality as different shops offer different quality. HKD is acceptable but now that HKD is lower than Yuan, not sure if they will accept. Only in this Luhuo area, if you pay with HKD, they will return change in HKD. Change enough Yuan to spend as exchange rate there is poor and most banks do not accept traveler cheques or S$. Only Bank of China accepts S$. I discovered that only one foreign exchange directly located opposite GS Railway Hotel has the best rate. The shortcut to this hotel is by the passage located at the International Railway Station (trains that go other parts of China) near to LCC.
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT ACCEPT ONE YUAN IN COINS, AS THERE ARE MANY FAKES. THE FAKE COIN LOOKS QUITE SIMILAR TO THE REAL ONE BUT IS LIGHTER.
The locals advised that we should always as for 1 Yuan NOTES instead of coins.
The Shenzhen MTR is inexpensive and easy to use. The furthest trip (cannot remember how much) cost less than 7 YUAN. Most stations are either located in Shopping Mall or shopping area or near to Theme Parks. If you intend to go to Window of the World (known as WOW), just go to the last station. Entrance is 120 Yuan. There is also another theme park called Splendid China located in OCT – Overseas Chinese Town. You can go to Google and search under Shenzhen Metro.
HOTELS
These are some of the websites you can go to search for hotels without having to reserve with credit cards.
Most will reserve rooms for you until 1800 hr. Try the Railway Station Hotel, Shenzhen website address is http://www.szrshotel.com/ Hotel is next the LCC and next to Luhuo Station. Very good location. Lobby is simple, room is clean and spacious. Current promotion for standard room is RMB196 all-inclusive. Check through the website if they are still having that promotion. Hotel has 2 restaurants but the popular one is on the 4th FLOOR. Tim sum is available, prices very reasonable and hotel guests get a RMB10 per room each day. Everyday, they have promotional dishes during lunch or dinner. Each table is allowed to order 2 items of promotional dishes. Closes at 3.00 am. If rooms are unavailable at above hotel, try GS Railway Hotel website http://www.25591911.com/. From pictures on website, it looks OK. Location is just behind the International Railway Station.You can try Shangri-la Hotel which is located across from LCC. Price from certain website is from USD100 per night.
FOOD
You can try this restaurant called Kong Wah Restaurant located on Level 5 Unit 5005 of Luhuo Commercial Complex (LCC) next to a foot massages shop. This restaurant is cheap and good. Lots of dishes - English Menu is also available. Try their steam fish (about S$10 per plate depending on weight at RMB 28 per 500gm). Don’t order one fish dish which is shown on the menu (whole fish which is dark in colour – not good as they put too much orange peel). Most dishes are good. One fish dish fried with cashew nuts, veg, etc is very good at 28 RMB about S$6. There are various dishes at only RMB15. At the end of each meal, they will serve free dessert (black sesame)(except on weekend). When you pay up, they will give you dessert vouchers (depending on your total bill) for your next visit. With this voucher, on your next visit you can select a dessert of your choice – ask for ginger steam milk – this dessert cost about HKD20 in Hong Kong! Restaurant closes very late. There were still walk-in diners after 11 pm while we were there. LCC shops close as late as 11pm.
TAILOR/CLOTHES
If you wish to go tailoring, first stop should be to the tailor. There are many tailors on Level 5 of LCC. Most tailors will take about 2 to 3 weeks to complete. However, if you need it in 2 days, most tailors will probably accommodate you. Some will ask for deposit. Most shops open from 11 am to 8 pm or 10 pm. As a guide, workmanship is around RMB250 for cheongsam, suit – jacket and skirt between RMB180 to RMB250, pant or skirt RMB50. All prices include linings. You should check prices before deciding. I had tried a couple of them and their workmanships are very good. If you need materials, they are all on the 5th level. Don’t buy from the first stall, check prices first. Always bargain up to 50%. You can try YING CAI CLOTH (their prices are more reasonable). Always remember to bargain. Most stallholders can speak Teochew. As a guide, fairly good lace materials cost about RMB 60 per metre. Some stalls quote RMB 250 per metre.If you intend to make curtains or quilt covers, there are many curtains shops. Take measurements from home. There are lots of fabric to choose but always remember to bargain. They can do it within 4 hours. As a guide, some customers pay US$9 per panel so if your sliding door needs standard 4 panels, you only pay US$36. It also depends on the size of your door, quality and price of the material you choose. This is just a guide. If you need it within a day or two, they will do it.
If you intend to buy branded clothes, such as Max Mara, Chloe, YVES, etc., go to Level 4 where most of the shops selling these brands are located.
BEWARE OF SHADY CHARACTERS OUTSIDE LCC AND BUS TERMINAL ASKING FOR MONEY FOR TRANSPORT.
DON'T GO FOR FOOT MASSAGES IN LCC AS MOST DO NOT HONOUR WHAT THEY OFFER YOU. If you must really need it, look for a reliable one but don't try those in LCC.
Recommended attractions (7)
Splendid China Park, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park
Window of the World, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park; Landmark/point of interest
China Folk Culture Village, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park; Performance
Minsk World, ShenzhenDismissed by the Russian navy, USSR aircraft carrier Minsk is part of a military theme park .Attraction type: Amusement/theme park
Shenzhen Museum, ShenzhenAttraction type: History museumPlaces to visit in and around Shenzhen
Window of the World This is one of the most popular amusement parks in all of China. Scale models of famous and well-known landmarks from around the world have been recreated here for all to admire. The 50-hectare park is divided into sections, each corresponding to a different continent or region of the world. From the top of the 100-meter-tall replica of the Eiffel Tower one can see as far as Hong Kong. Other areas of the park include a center of science and technology and a sculpture garden. This is a great place to come with kids, and despite the crowds, Window of the World is a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a day. In the evenings there is a nightly parade of lights.
Shenzhen Safari Park One of the best zoos in China, the Shenzhen Safari Park is home to thousands of animals. Interestingly, the animals are divided by species - within a herbivore zone and a carnivore zone - so that many species can live together without being restricted to cages. There is a petting zoo and circus performances daily. There is also a tower from which one can take in the spectacular view. When hunger sets in there are restaurants on the premises as well. The Shenzhen Safari Park is open daily from 8am until 6pm.
DON'T GO FOR FOOT MASSAGES IN LCC AS MOST DO NOT HONOUR WHAT THEY OFFER YOU. If you must really need it, look for a reliable one but don't try those in LCC.
Recommended attractions (7)
Splendid China Park, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park
Window of the World, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park; Landmark/point of interest
China Folk Culture Village, ShenzhenAttraction type: Amusement/theme park; Performance
Minsk World, ShenzhenDismissed by the Russian navy, USSR aircraft carrier Minsk is part of a military theme park .Attraction type: Amusement/theme park
Shenzhen Museum, ShenzhenAttraction type: History museumPlaces to visit in and around Shenzhen
Window of the World This is one of the most popular amusement parks in all of China. Scale models of famous and well-known landmarks from around the world have been recreated here for all to admire. The 50-hectare park is divided into sections, each corresponding to a different continent or region of the world. From the top of the 100-meter-tall replica of the Eiffel Tower one can see as far as Hong Kong. Other areas of the park include a center of science and technology and a sculpture garden. This is a great place to come with kids, and despite the crowds, Window of the World is a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a day. In the evenings there is a nightly parade of lights.
Shenzhen Safari Park One of the best zoos in China, the Shenzhen Safari Park is home to thousands of animals. Interestingly, the animals are divided by species - within a herbivore zone and a carnivore zone - so that many species can live together without being restricted to cages. There is a petting zoo and circus performances daily. There is also a tower from which one can take in the spectacular view. When hunger sets in there are restaurants on the premises as well. The Shenzhen Safari Park is open daily from 8am until 6pm.
China Folk Culture Village The China Folk Culture Village is a unique opportunity to see and admire the cultures of over fifty ethnicities that live within China's borders. Replicas of homes in traditional architectural styles, as well as hundreds of performers dressed in traditional costumes, make this a visually striking destination for the whole family. Representatives of the different ethnicities give demonstrations of the making of traditional handicrafts, as well as examples of ethnic singing and dancing. Visitors may sample ethnic delicacies and enjoy the colorful performances that are given daily. China Folk Culture Village is open daily from 8am until 10pm.
Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens Established over two decades ago, the Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens cover nearly six square kilometers and is home to over three thousand types of plants. The botanical garden is divided into fifteen sections, each representing a different climactic zone, from sub-tropical to desert. The setting of the botanical garden is quite stunning with a lake as well as traditional Chinese pavilions that lend classical atmosphere to the tranquil landscape. The garden's location at the foot of Wutong Mountain gives visitors the option of taking the trail to the summit and enjoying a spectacular view.
Splendid China This cultural theme park is one of China's oldest. Established in 1989, Splendid China is quite similar in concept to Thailand's Ancient City, with scale-model examples of Chinese architecture from all regions and eras of China's past. Students of history and art will be inspired by the meticulous attention to detail that went into constructing these miniature replicas. Splendid China's 30 hectares of park has been tastefully landscaped to harmonize with the structures on display. While viewing these fantastic miniatures it is easy to forget that they aren't life sized! The park also has a collection of traditional houses representing ethnic minorities from all over China. Splendid China is open from 10am until 10pm daily.
Marine World and Xiaomeisha Beach. This kilometer-long stretch of sandy beach is located outside of town. Its popularity with the locals can be seen on weekends when many visitors from Shenzhen come to sunbathe and swim. For active visitors there are kayaks and jet skis for rent, as well as diving equipment. Sailing can also be arranged. Most visitors however come simply to relax in the sun and savor the fresh breeze that perpetually blows in from the South China Sea. Marine World is a nearby park with a nautical theme. It has its own beach and landscaped grounds complimented with shops and a lighthouse. Cultural performances are frequently staged and there are plenty of eating options to be found. Marine world is open from 10am until 8pm daily.
Happy Valley Theme Park Located in an area of Shenzhen called Overseas Chinese Town (OCT), Happy Valley Theme Park is popularly known as China's Disneyland. There are theme rides including the Old Gold Mine River Rafts and Adventure Hill. The park is very popular with Chinese visitors from all over China. Besides the thrilling rides, entertainment includes shows and performances staged daily. There is also first class accommodation and excellent restaurants located in the park complex, as well as plenty of opportunity to shops for souvenirs.
Minsk Aircraft Carrier This former Soviet navy aircraft carrier was brought to Shenzhen in 1998 and now serves as a tourist attraction. The Minsk-class fighting ship is moored at Shatoujiao near the foot of Wutong Mountain. Visitors can explore the endless passageways leading through living quarters and working spaces, once the home to thousands of sailors who kept this relic of the once mighty Soviet navy afloat. The area surrounding the aircraft carrier has been developed to include shopping and eating facilities.
Info on prices are correct at time of posting.
