Making the most of Hong Kong
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Most cruises now call at The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, built on the site of Hong Kong airport's former runway, once known for its low-level approach over apartment buildings. The terminal can process two large Oasis of The Seas model vessels simultaneously. These are currently the world's largest cruise ships, 360 meters long and able to carry over 6000 passengers.
The airport closed in 1998, but its main runway runs 10,000 feet into Victoria Harbor, forming a natural pier. Hong Kong officials chose renowned British architect Norman Foster for the terminal's dramatically long design. A ferry from the tip of Kai Tak pier halves the transit time to Hong Kong island's Central district.
On ship-call days, free shuttles take disembarking cruise passengers and crew to nearby MTR stations beside shopping malls. Turn calls usually add paid shuttles from the cruise line, for example to the airport, and from the terminal operator, for example to Kowloon Airport Express, Tsim Sha Tsui area hotels and/or Hung Hom Station.
China Fisherman's Wharf in Kennedy Town serves some smaller ships. Public transport is excellent.
Hong Kong is China's second most used cruise port.
Hotels near the Cruise Terminal; bring a printable map with you.
Kai tak cruise calendar.
Ocean Terminal cruise calendar.
Known as the Oriental Pearl, Hong Kong is simply amazing.
After some preparation and internet reading, this is a city that is easy to discover independently.
Few cities are more exciting than Hong Kong. Its beautiful natural setting sits alongside a thriving, vibrant commercial centre, all the benefits of modern living and many reminders of the historic past. Well-known highlights include stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic Victoria Peak viewpoint and beautiful Repulse Bay; Hong Kong is certain to exceed expectations.
Hong Kong, a PRC Special Administrative Region, developed from a simple fishing village into the world's fourth largest banking and financial centre and eighth largest trading economy. In China's southeast corner, it covers 1,104 square kilometers, about 426 square miles, and has more than 6,970,000 residents. About 97% are Chinese, speaking Cantonese and English, while Mandarin is becoming more popular. Most tourism staff and taxi drivers can communicate with visitors in English; Buddhism and Christianity are the most common religions.
Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is its economic, political, entertainment and shopping centre: the north is the main commercial, retail and entertainment area, the east is residential, and the south is known for shores and bays. Kowloon also flourishes. Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are especially popular, lively day and night, and feel secure for tourists to enjoy…
Hong Kong is an open city with a wonderful natural harbour, where cultures meet and blend with Chinese traditions and exotic influences. Former colonial rule leaves British traces everywhere, while traditional customs and core Confucian values, faded in Mainland China, remain preserved. Colourful festivals span Spring Festival to Christmas. Luxury restaurants and street-side food-stalls, locally called dai pai dong, sit alongside grand mansions, penthouses, tenements, office blocks and wooden…
Getting around
Hong Kong's transport system is superb, leaving almost no reason to use a taxi.
A hop-on/hop-off bus runs three daily sightseeing routes: Hong Kong Island (Red Route), Kowloon (Blue Route) and Stanley (Green Route).
Much of the city is highly walkable, with escalators often joining streets on different levels.
For a good public-transport trip, use the bus terminal beneath IFC2 building[Hongkong] and take bus 6 OVER the hills to Repulse Bay and Stanley market, for magnificent views. Avoid 6X, which goes through a tunnel. From Stanley market, take bus 973 through Aberdeen to Jordan station[Kowloon] for 14 HK$. Pay the exact amount because buses do not give change.
Nearby places
Take a potluck ferry out to one of the 234 islands and enjoy it.
Ngong Ping 360 includes the 5.7 km Ngong Ping Sky rail, a 25-minute cable-car journey with spectacular Lantau Island scenery, and the cultural and religious-themed Ngong Ping Village.
Food and shopping
Every large tourist town has at least one, and often more, western-oriented shopping mall. These can be the only places to buy larger clothing sizes. Although the malls can be fun, almost everything is fake and bargaining is hard. Quickly show the bills representing your offer, walk away, and finalise only if called back; remain courteous throughout.
Restaurants tend to cluster in city areas marked by colourful customer-attracting decoration. Look for ones used by chinese families. Menu's usually show food pictures, and seafood is generally kept alive in large tanks. Chinese dining is a noisy feast with little etiquette, so enjoy it. Drink bottled water only, including when brushing teeth, and take normal dining precautions.
Kowloon is a delight, with myriad streets of small stores run by Chinese, Indians and Arabs where haggling is expected. Watch for touts encouraging purchases of cheap suits or fake watches.
Money
Hong Kong is more expensive than China, but remains reasonably priced.
Its currency is the Hong Kong Dollar, the counterpart of the Yuan, or Renminbi RMB.
Before leaving the country, change Hong Kong dollars and Yuan back.
Staying connected
Hong Kong remains very British: English, stiff upper lip and all, is widely spoken; traffic keeps left and there are even London cabs.
Internet is highly developed in China and Hong Kong. Even modest hotels nearly all provide room WiFi, while public areas have Internet stations, frequently free or very inexpensive. Hong Kong Airport also has free WiFi.
Free Wi-Fi operates throughout The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
Hong Kong Government's GovWiFi scheme offers free wireless internet through over 2000 hotspots at 400 public locations, including libraries, cultural and recreational centers, museums and large parks. Tourist hotspots include Peak Road Garden, The Peak, Kowloon Park, Repulse Bay Beach, Hong Kong Cultural center Piazza/Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Hong Kong Park, Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Statue Square, Stanley Waterfront Mart/Promenade, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and China Ferry Terminals. Use the unencrypted "freegovwifi" connection.
Emergency numbers are 110 in China and 999 in Hong Kong and Macao.
Opening Hours and
Stores appear to have no set hours, staying open while customers are present.
During Chinese New Year, about two weeks long, all Chinese are travelling and transport can become very hectic.