Monday, August 28, 2006

Ngongkong 4D/3N ... not for the shopper hor!

In case any of you want to follow our path :) ..

Day 1:
  • 6AM flight SG-HK: One of the earliest flight from Singapore for the kiasu folks like us :)! Reached HK @10:20AM, took AEL and the free shuttle bus, reach hotel @12PM (just nice for a quick lunch and check-in). Separate AEL ticket and Octopus MTR card cost actually less than the overly promoted 3 day pass for tourist. If you come in group, ask for AEL group package (come in a group of 2, 3 and 4) that can give you up to 40% discount for your AEL ride. For those travelling with kids/eldery, Children/Seniors Octopus card will save you ~50% discount for most of their transportation cost. Also remember to ask Seniors/Children discount when you visit any sights as some of them do provide discounts accordingly.
  • Chi Lin Nunnery: Covering a space of 30,000 square meters, Chi Lin Nunnery has strikingly beautiful statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, the goddess of mercy Guanyin and other bodhisattvas. These statues are made from gold, clay, wood and stone. Its buildings are the only ones to be built with wooden rooftops in modern Hong Kong, without the use of a single nail in its construction. This is based on a unique architectural style from the Tang Dynasty which uses special interlocking systems cut into the wood for construction.
    How to go: Diamond Hill MTR, walk cross Hollywood Plaza and follow the direction (5 minutes walk). Admission: Free
  • Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple: One of the most famous temple in Hong Kong. Big and very crowded temple with lot of fortune teller ready to open the secret of your future :).
    How to go: Wong Tai Sin MTR, look for Wong Tai Sin temple exit (just above the MTR). Admission: Free (for the temple), donation of 2 HKD for the garden behind the temple.
  • Yung Kee Restaurant, Wellington Street: Famous for the BBQ goose and Century egg. The goose was a bit overrated but the Century egg (the black, ugly, yucky thing) has made me a believer. Surprisingly it taste good! Some say that lot of famous people eat there but unfortunately we could not recognize any when we around.
    How to go: Walking distance from Central MTR (5 minutes walk). Budget: approx 150-250HKD/pax
  • The Peak tram, Madame Tussaud's: Try to go there on your first not-so-hazy night, else you won't be able to see a thing. Unfortunately lot of people (and I really meant it) think the same way. The viewing platform is simply over-crowded by people for us to enjoy, Duh! Obviously the most sceneric way to go there is to take the Peak Tram (45 degree ascending tram). Peak Tram/Madame Tussaud's package is really worth the extra 100 HKD you pay as it allow you to cut the queue to go to the tram (especially if you plan to visit the museum anyway). The que for normal ticket is worst than the NLB sales queue.
    How to go: Walk 15 minutes from Centra MTR or take bus 15C from Star Ferry terminal/Admiralty MTR to take Peak Tram from the Peak Tram station. Admission: Peak Tram is 30 HKD (round-trip), Peak Tram/Madame Tussaud's package for 125 HKD (inclussive of round-trip Peak Tram).
  • Star Ferry ride back to the hotel: A must for visitor to HK to cross between Hong Kong island and Kowloon. A sceneric trip cost 2.2HKD, it's really worthed :)!
Day 2:
  • Maxim's City Hall Tim Sum breakfast: Nice Tim Sum place with ocean view. The dishes are paraded by the waiters in small cart for you to pick.
    How to go there: Walking distance from Central MTR or Star Ferry Terminal (the Star Ferry Terminal is closer though). Budget: approx. 100 HKD/pax
  • Ocean Park: A mix of Dufan and Sea world with rides, giant Aquariums, a scenic cum scary cable car ride, and Panda exhibit. If you plan to go to Ocean Park in the weekend, try to take the 629 city bus from the Star ferry terminal to avoid the crowd. The queue in Admiralty can easily beat the queue in The Peak tram (see day 1).
    How to go there: Take bus 629 from Star Ferry Terminal(weekend morning) or Admiralty MTR. Admission: 185 HKD/pax
  • Temple Street Night Market: Hong Kong pasar malam :). You can find all the fake and cheap items here (clothing/toys/hand bags/everything under the sun). Lot of food for those who have appetite of "exotic" meals. How to go: 5 minutes walk from Jordan MTR.
Day 3:
  • Disneyland: The magic kingdom! For those that love Disney and want to take as much rides as possible, I recommend you to come early :).
    How to go: Take MTR to Disney resort MTR station. Admission fee: 300HKD/pax (adult)
Day 4:
  • Po Lin Monastery (Giant Budha): A monastery situated in the middle of nowhere in Lantau island and famous for the giant Budha statue and its vegetarian meals. The meals was actually overrated.
    How to go: Take a ferry to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) from the Central Pier, and Bus No 2 to Po Lin. Or take the MTR to Tung Chung station, and Bus No 23. The Ngong Ping cable car is on its way to give you direct access from Tung Chung MTR. Admission fee: 60-100HKD/pax for vegetarian meals buffet.
  • Ladies Market: Another Hong Kong pasar malam (much bigger than the Temple street).
    How to go: Walking distance from Mong Kok MTR.
  • 8PM flight to home :)!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

surely a LOT of places for 4D!
There are the tan! haha.. counterpain must be quite handy

Pangeran Panda said...

Brumeux: Ya hor, forgot to ask for 4D number! Anyway counterpain cannot counter our pain already :) ..

Anonymous said...

Lah..kita juga baru dari Hong Kong Ang...12 Sept. 4 hari juga, tp kayaknya jalannya banyakan loe :). 1 hari kita ke Macau sih. Ceritanya belum sempat ditulis nih.

Pangeran Panda said...

Hmphhh mau mampir HK tapi gak mampir SG huh ... tersinggung kita ;)