Travel
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 01:12
Written by Jade Bremner

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This intoxicating city is an unusual but strangely refreshing combination of hectic city life with random pockets of picturesque, verdant mountains that snake in and out of the city. If towering skyscrapers, hustle and bustle, looming hills and multicolored billboards get too much, there are hundreds of exotic, empty islands which offer the perfect quiet beach escape from the madness. It’s one of the few places in the world where a vast array of global inhabitants live in complete harmony (making it one of the safest cities in the world). Hong Kong, without a doubt, combines the best of East and West including the most diverse and delicious selection of food, incredibly friendly, polite people and unbeatable shopping opportunities. Plus they have an all singing and dancing transport system, making it a breeze to navigate your way around. Leaving one crazy city to go to another may not be your idea of a weekend escape, but believe us, anything you require from a holiday, this affordable neighboring retreat can provide. Get your Christmas shop on.

Where to stay
For an incredibly beautiful resort in a cracking location, stay at the Langham Place Mongkok, Kowloon. It has stunning panoramic views of the city and facilities you will not want to part with, plus its situated in a 15-story shopping mall with over 300 shops selling everything from fashion labels to casual wear and accessories. At New Year hundreds of people watch its Digital Sky during the countdown. Room rates start from RMB1650, but book early and save 15 percent plus get a complimentary fourth night until December 10. Backpackers should check out Dragon Hostel for basic, clean and secure accommodation in the same area as the Langham, with prices starting for as little as RMB100 (www.dragonhostel.com).
 
Where to eat and drink
We highly recommend tucking into some of the street food in Kowloon, where you’ll find dim sum galore. The Dai Pai Dongs (or street vendors) on Temple Street are a good place to start. They are all budget prices and offer a variety of weird and wonderful treats, such as curry fish balls and squid sticks. Head to Soho in Central on Hong Kong Island for a warren of streets offering international eats at mid-range prices. Try an up market Cantonese restaurant such as Che’s Cantonese Restaurant (highly recommended) on The Broadway, 52-62 Lockhart Road.

A trip to Hong Kong should be honored with a drink in Lang Kwai Fong, the famous area heaving with lively bars, themed pubs and clubs. Look out for Happy Hours (usually mid-week from 5-8pm) in most places, offering the standard buy-one-get-one-free drinks.
 
What to do
This time of year Hong Kong is a fantastic place to get your Christmas gifts. Kowloon has some glorious night markets, including the ladies market on Tung Choi Street and Temple Street Night Market, or head to Stanley for the gift market and the area’s waterfront bars and eateries. For indie shops, unusual gifts and fashion items head over to Central and Soho. After all the shopping, try surfing at Big Wave Bay (board hire is around RMB100 for the day and a taxi from Central is around RMB150). Or take a trip to the peak, Hong Kong’s highest point, for the view over the lush green hills and city skyline. At night catch the ferry (for pennies) over to Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. It makes for a sensational night view.

Getting there
Dragon air/Cathay Pacific offer round trips daily to Hong Kong from Shanghai from as little as RMB2000 and the flight is around 2-2 ½ hours. Visit www.dragonair.com to book. Alternatively, if you’re looking to go backpacker style, you can get a T99 and T100 24-hour train from Shanghai to Hong Kong for approximately RMB500 each way. Visit www.chinatraintickets.net to book.
 
Handy tips
Take your Chinese Union Pay bank cards with you. Every ATM will accept them and you can make debit card transactions in most places. Expect a shock, however, when you see the price tags. Most people speak English.

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