Side trip from HKG - your thoughts?

[newformula]

I have around 24-48 hours free at the end of a work trip to Hong Kong. I don't have much desire to stay in the city - what would you do with the time? I am thinking of maybe sampling CX F to Manila or Taipei, an overnight stay and then coming back the next day.
Any other suggestions?

 

[markis10]

Take advantage of the cheap J trips ex TPE.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Wont earn you points, but if you want class, get a Helicopter over to Macau, stay in one of the Casinos - say the Venetian, get yourself a swanky room, then helicopter it back?

 

[moa999]

Again no points, but if you can get a Chinese Visa - quick 2hr train ride to Guangzhou/Canton.

OR the ferry/chopper to Macau

 

[mannej]

Same question, but can PVG can be done as a cheap day trip from HKG, and what are the Visa requirements?

 

[Taezar]

You can pick up a Chinese visa in a couple of days or you can do an express one. More exe tho. One entrance non rush was about $90 from memory.

 

[moa999]

Note Shanghai is a 2hr flight, or about a 20hr train journey.

 

[newformula]

China would be interesting - have never been. Shanghai & Guangzhou - could do you do some decent/interesting sightseeing in an afternoon, evening and a morning? Anyone have any personal recommendations?
(Same question for Taipei also...)
Are there any visa requirements for Macau? I travel on a GB passport.

 

[markis10]

Even if you dont feel like some SC building, I would still look at TPE, for one you dont need a visa and its got a lot to offer:

Yingge pottery street is amazing a good place to get some very good trinkets that are not the norm as souvenirs go, I have no real interest in pottery or crafts in general yet very much enjoyed the visit. Wandering Taiwan: Yingge, the Ceramic Town

The National Palace Museum can easily kill a day :
國立故宮åšç‰©é™¢ National Palace Museum

Green Onion Pancakes are very popular street food, almost a must try, not the same with the green onion ice cream: Wandering Taiwan: Green Onion Pancake DIY. Yilan Sanxing Township.

The night markets are great, Shi Lin is always a favourite stop for me: My Kafkaesque life: Shilin Night Market, Taipei

And if you do stay in Taipei for the night, just up from the Westin is a real original (in fact apparently the first in the world) Mongolian BBQ restaurant that is cheap and good : å°åŒ—æˆå‰æ€æ±—è’™å¤çƒ¤è‚‰BBQåƒåˆ°é£½ in Taipei, Taiwan

 

[SeatBackForward]

Are there any visa requirements for Macau? I travel on a GB passport.

You can get a Visa upon entry that will last 30days as a tourist. The place is tiny though, you could probably walk its entire distance in one day.

 

[newformula]

Thanks markis10, that's awesome!
I am contemplating burning 26,000 QFF points HKG-TPE one way to try out CX First / CX F Lounges in HKG...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am contemplating burning 26,000 QFF points HKG-TPE one way to try out CX First / CX F Lounges in HKG...

To get back TPE/HKG you could purchase the cheapest return airfare (Business Standard) of TWD15,522.00 (approx AUD502.32) which would leave a flight HKG/TPE up your sleeve for the future positioning to TPE for other trips as airfares in J are heaps cheaper TPE/LAX, TPE/LHR, TPE/Asia than ex HKG. The TPE/HKG one way fare in J is TWD16,317.00 (AUD528.04) - no point paying more to get less.

 

[newformula]

Thanks Oz, very handy.

Anyone have any TPE accommodation recommendations? At first look I was thinking of the Westin...

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks Oz, very handy.

Anyone have any TPE accommodation recommendations? At first look I was thinking of the Westin...

Westin is good in the city, but if you're on a tight turnaround the Novotel near the airport is pretty nice (for a Novotel).

 

[markis10]

Les Suites is better and not that far from the Westin.

http://www.suitetpe.com.tw/english/index_en.html

It replaced the Lai Lai Sheraton as my preferred base for the many trips to that wonderful land, looking forward to going back this year.